Golf, golf and golf helps me combat stress. It’s a very satisfying experience to drive a ball 250 yards right down the middle of the fairway. If you can chip in and then putt in one, that’s the attainment of perfection because you’ve done exactly what you set out to do.

I enjoy the difficulty of the game. Every shot is different and there is a lot of artistry involved. And, of course, you are in the open air surrounded by terrific scenery.

I have played all round the world. I don’t belong to a club, I play on public courses generally.

I’m not competitive and I play alone mostly, because I don’t get much time to get out there on a regular basis. That’s one advantage of golf, it is a game you can play on your own or in company.

I don’t bash a ball around the course, I try to stroke it with style. I take my time and I don’t stop off at the 19th. Since I became general secretary, I’ve been able to afford a few lessons and I now play off a handicap of 18.

I don’t suffer much from stress. People think my job is very stressful, but I don’t find it so. When I’m playing golf, I don’t think about anything except the next shot or the scenery or the sunshine.

Nigel de Gruchy is general secretary of the National Association of School- masters and Union of Women Teachers. He was talking to Pamela Coleman