It is one thing preparing for the physical challenges posed by an Open Championship in adverse weather conditions, but how are players meant to cope with the psychological demands? Some, such as Ian Poulter and Sergio García, eschew the help of the mind gurus plying their trade on the professional circuits. Others, including Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell, believe that it is as important to train the mind as any other part of the body.

Dr Karl Morris is one of those who has been preparing players for the challenges posed at Royal Birkdale by gale-force winds and driving rain, conditions that Harrington says make a good deal of the field give up before hitting a ball in anger - which is how he likes it. Morris, who works with McDowell, said: "To play well in these conditions takes more than good shot-making ability. The players need to be mentally strong enough to continue making good decisions even after bad shots.”

Here are Karl Morris's five steps to success:

Recall past successes: All players, particularly those who have got off to a shaky start, should take time to remember when they were playing their best. Every time you hit a good shot, try to make a mental note so you can recall it later when you need to.

Relax and breathe deeply: If a player has a bad start to the round, they will start to feel the pressure rising. It is important that they do not let nerves get the better of them and some simple breathing exercises will help. Concentrate on your breathing and breathe in and out fully. Becoming aware of your breathing while playing will help to reduce feelings of anxiety.

Silence the inner voice: One bad shot can activate the negative voice in a player's head that tells him how inept and useless he is. As well as destroying self-confidence, the inner voice also drains vital energy stores. My advice is to “tune out” of this inner voice by “tuning in” to your surroundings. What can you see? What can you hear? Chat about something else to your caddie or playing partner.

Switch off between shots: Giving your brain time to recharge is important. It is impossible to concentrate fully for several hours at a time. Players should therefore allow their concentration to switch off between shots, giving their minds time to recuperate. A good cue to help you to switch on and off between shots is to take off your golf glove; listening to the distinctive sound of the Velcro sends a trigger to your mind to relax or focus on the shot at hand.

Eyes above the flag: Do not let the rain get the better of you. Poor body language and the subsequent deterioration in mental state can have a huge impact on your scorecard. Keeping your eyes above the flag helps you to “keep your head up”, which numerous studies have demonstrated can help performance.