A young golfer from Barnet is on the cusp of an exciting career in the game, thanks in part to his local club.

Luke Goddard, 21, is about to jet off to Spain as one of the top ten amateur golfers in the country.

It is all part of the training for the prestigious Walker Cup in September, which is a stellar event in the amateur world.

Goddard sealed his place at the tournament in Philidelphia, USA, when he won the English Amateur Championship.

Now he is number six in the world amateur rankings, and he insists Hendon Golf Club, in Mill Hill, has helped get him there.

"The club has been a huge help to me. They've helped me with a lot of things," he said.

With the club's aid, Goddard is confident he can make the cut as a professional on the cash-rich tour.

But right now, he has to scrimp together about £18,000 every year just to get on to the courses.

He also works out in the gym five times a week, and mum and dad have a role to play too.

His mother makes sure her son is in the right place at the right time, while dad acts as his psychologist.

It seems a lot of golf is played between the ears.

"I class myself as mentally strong, but it's a common problem to stop playing the course shot by shot. So you play one bad shot and then another one because of it. The mental side of my game is an area of big improvement."

And it shows. Since last year, Goddard has jumped 84 places in the rankings, and hopes more success is to come.

"I'm confident, and winning the amateur championship has boosted my confidence," he said. "I hope I can make a good living in the game."

Goddard will play in the Walker Cup on September 12 and 13.