Peter Baker is hoping that a change of putter will mean a change of luck when he tees off on the Brabazon Course in the Quinn Direct British Masters on Thursday morning.
Baker is back at The Belfry, where he played for the European Ryder Cup side in 1993, after being invited to play as a former winner of the British Masters.
And he is relieved that he will be returning to one of his favourite courses with his putting stroke back in the groove.
After rediscovering his love for the game in the run-up to last year's Ryder Cup win at The K Club, where he was one of Ian Woosnam's vice captains, Baker has spent the year trying to win back his European Tour card on the less lucrative Challenge Tour.
But after winning in Switzerland in June, his first tournament victory in 14 years, Baker has not been firing on all cylinders. And he admits that it has all been down to his putter.
"It has been getting a bit frustrating," said Baker. "I've played seven out of the last eight weeks and it was not until I tried a change of putter this week that I felt comfortable again.
"I didn't three putt once in last week's Challenge Tour event in Spain and I also holed one of more than 15 feet for the first time in six weeks.
"If there had been something wrong with my game overall, I'd have been trying hard to put it right. But it's the putter that has been letting me down.
"I've always been a good putter, and when suddenly that part of your game lets you down it's a worry. But I felt much happier last week and now I can't wait to get started on Thursday."
Baker, who needs a Top 20 Challenge Tour finish to win back his main tour card and is currently in 20th, certainly has no regrets about passing up a Challenge Tour trip to the unknown territory of Kazakhstan this week.
"I'll be having the week at home," he said. "And it will be nice to get back to The Belfry again. There's always a tinge of disappointment thinking about 1993.
"My daughter was ill that week and, although it went well for me personally, people do tend to forget that was one of the years when we lost. It's still a course I enjoy playing at, where I know I'll get a bit of local support. And I've still got another four events to go on the Challenge Tour."
