Tell us about your highlight of 2006.
Shooting the course record at Pleasington Golf Club playing in a north region PGA event I shot 63 (-8).

What was your lowest moment of 2006.
Missing qualifying at stage 2 of European Tour School. I played really well tee to green but putting was a major let down, definitely costing me a chance of a tour card.

What was the most and least pleasing aspect of your game last year?
The most pleasing was my chipping and pitching and least pleasing was my putting.

Do you prefer Matchplay or Strokeplay?
I don't get much chance to play matchplay as the only matchplay tournaments are for the worlds leading professionals but I used to enjoy it more than strokeplay as an amateur.

What are your main goals for next season?
More consistent performances. I had 3 top 13 finishes on the EuroPro Tour last year from 6 starts and missed 3 cuts. I need to make 90% of cuts this season and finish strong when in contention.

Where would you like to be golf wise in 3 years time?
It would be great to hold a card on any of the worlds major tours. I am open minded as to where my playing career could end up and would enjoy playing for a living on any continent.

What is the main specific area of your game you will need to improve to make 2007 a great year?
Putting - without doubt my putting has been a problem. I developed the yips in the last part of 2004 and after using long putters and diverse grips and techniques my putting finally feels like its going somewhere again. Going back to basics seems to be working so hopefully it will make a big difference to my scoring throughout 2007.

Do you place much importance on the mental side of the game?
Not as much as some of my peers. Call me old fashioned but I have tried a sports psychologist and don't really think it works for me. Some people rely on their mental attributes to play well I don't.

What equipment do you have in your bag?
My driver is the Titleist 905R with 7.5 degree loft and Proforce V2 X-flex shaft. A Sonartec 3 wood fitted with fujikura speeder shaft X-flex 13 degrees. My irons are Srixon Pro 100 blades 2-pw with Dynamic Gold X-100 shafts. As for wedges, Srixon 504 forged wedges again with Dynamic Gold X-100 shafts. Finally a Yes Callie putter. All grips are Golf Pride Tour Velvet corded grips and I play a Srixon Z-URC golf ball.

Do you have a pre-shot routine?
Yes but there is room for improvement and this is something I will be working on leading into this season over the next 2 weeks.

What advise would you give to a 16 year old playing off 2 handicap who wants to play golf for a living?
Concentrate on their education to start with, having a good education behind you gives you the opportunity to try and make it as a professional without worrying about the future. There are lots of academic courses that can be taken within the golf industry now at places like Myerscough college where I was when I left school.

What is the best and worst part about playing golf for a living?
The best part is the opportunities and rewards when you play well, being your own boss is a perk as well!!
The worst part is when you play poorly, we tend to beat ourselves up over bad luck or a small lapse in concentration - it can be hard to pick yourself up again.

Do you have a coach?
I see john Eyre at Crosland Heath. John has known my swing for a long number of years now and I get on very well with him. I don't like coaches who over complicate the game. John understands I am a mostly natural player and don't want to be bogged down in technique yet also we both understand I need a good technique to succeed. I feel John communicates his ideas well to me and we work well together

Who is your golfing role model?
Greg Norman. A true gentleman with vast golfing talents so pleasing to the eye when watching him at his best throughout the 80's and 90's.

What would be your ideal 4-Ball (past or present)?
Me, Natalie Gulbis ;-), Michelle Wie and Greg Norman. 

Do you have a regular caddy?
No its too expensive to take a caddy every week and employ them. Friends and members of the golf club at Hebden Bridge try to help me as much as possible though and its greatly appreciated as it makes a big difference.

What are your main hobbies outside of golf?
I like watching all sports really plus I like cars, music and like to play poker.

Sum up life as a Professional golfer in a couple of sentences?
My dream job. As long as Ii can make a living from the game there is nothing in the world I'd rather be.

Is sponsorship important to you? Do you have a main sponsor?
Yes very much so. I have a small sponsor in Siddal Upholstery but find it very difficult to raise all the money I need to play each year

What is the best course you have ever played.
Kingsbarns, what a place I would advise anyone who loves the game to play it once before they retire.... its fantastic.

You will kindly be writing a monthly column for
www.huddersfieldgolf.co.uk this year, what can our visitors expect to read about throughout the year?
General life on tour, equipment news and reviews, coaching tips and strange golfing situations and rules that occur. You can also keep up to date with my progress on my new website www.davidastin.com.

Thanks for your time David  in answering our questions, good luck for the coming season:
Bye for now.