IAN POULTER

Let’s start with an odd one. Apart from maybe Paul Lawrie, it’s a safe bet that no one else in a regular European Tour field could change a grip on a golf club.

It’s been a while since I was an assistant pro. I loved those days though. I’ve been on Tour for 22 years now. But you are right. I was changing grips from the age of 16. That’s 28 years ago. And yes, I can still do it.

I enjoy messing with my clubs. I check the lofts and the lies too. I do it just because, as good as the equipment manufacturers are, I like to know for myself all is well. It sounds bad to say I never trust anyone, but I like the reassurance.

Bottom line is I’m proud to be PGA-qualified. I reckon I could still change the whipping on an old wooden club too. I’m betting there is no one else here this week (at the Abu Dhabi Championship), apart from Paul, who could do that. It would be fun to let guys have a go though. It’s not easy. But I could do it.

Indeed, you must be one of the last guys to emerge from the pro’s shop and make it on Tour.

It’s not the normal road any more. And, to be fair, it’s not a path I would like to see my son, Luke, take. I’d like him to go to college and learn his trade there. Then, if he’s good enough, give the Tour a try. That’s the norm these days, which is big change from when I was young. Today, it is more of a business from the age of 16 onwards. If you don’t treat it like that you are going to be way behind.

I’m sure. There was a 15-year old playing here this week – Josh Hill.

Exactly. He’s a big lad and a great talent. If you can shoot 62 in the last round to win a MENA Tour event you can play. That was impressive.

Does your mind wander back to those days much? To where you came from?

It’s bonkers. But I had a belief. I’ve never thought I was any different or inferior to anyone else. That is a huge part of my journey. It can obviously be a bad thing if you get a little too big for your boots early on. But the opposite is also true. Not being confident enough is also a bad thing. If you’re like that you are never going to be confident enough in tough situations. And if you are like that you are never going to go the whole way in golf. There is a comfort level that you have to feel very quickly.

Have you ever felt out of your depth?

No.

That’s unusual, especially in golf, which has its share of elitism