Yoga the game to play, says guru

Frustrated players might have a different four-letter word for golf, but for an Indian guru the four letters that best describe the game spell yoga. And Sukhdev, which aptly means the 'god of happiness' in Hindi, is spreading the word on how your game of golf can improve through the union of body, spirit and mind.

Sukhdev Singh is the travelling guru on the Asian Tour. And his entourage is rapidly increasing. He has seven players on his roster, among them the chairman of the Asian Tour, Kyi Hla Han, tour veteran Gerry Norquist, Scott Barr and Mardan Mamat.

'Yoga makes you positive. If you are positive, you are more focused which means you are more confident. And more confidence will lead to good results,' said 33-year-old Sukhdev, who helps the golfers with tips ranging from breathing techniques to stretching.

'This game is all about being mentally focused and yoga helps you achieve that.

'Of course you have to be physically fit too. But yoga also teaches you about diet, fitness and exercise. It teaches you how to stretch your physical as well as mental attributes.'

The Indian guru, who is now based in Singapore, has helped such big names as Indian test cricketer Rahul Dravid, the country's first Formula One star, Narain Karthikeyan and Athens Olympics silver medallist in double trap shooting, R.V.S. Rathkor.