Darren Clarke has embarked on a series of drastic changes in an attempt to start climbing the world rankings and challenging for majors again.

Switching back to Butch Harmon - best known as coach to Tiger Woods - the Ryder Cup star has also parted company with caddie Billy Foster.

Clarke has also just signed a deal to play Taylor-Made clubs and hopes to show a better attitude on the course after receiving a five-page letter over Christmas from American sports psychologist Bob Rotella.

The Ulsterman had only one victory last season - the English Open - and has slid to 27th in the world from a career-best ninth.

"There have been some very difficult decisions to make, but last year was very frustrating and I just want to get back to winning ways."

It is the second time Clarke has dropped coach Peter Cowen and he is flying out on Thursday to link up once more with Harmon before playing in next week's Buick Invitational in California.

"I think the world of Peter, but I found myself getting too technical. I'm playing a bit more in the States this year, so that will make seeing Butch easier." After having Foster as his caddie for the last six years Clarke now has fellow Irishman JP Fitzgerald on his bag. Fitzgerald was previously with Ryder Cup team-mate Paul McGinley, but they had already agreed to split.

The clubs deal, meanwhile, comes after a period when Clarke was a free agent.

As for the mental side of the game, Clarke said that Rotella's letter made him feel that "he knows me better than I do. There were lots of bits and pieces, but basically he reminded me that I'm not patient enough and that I should wait for things to happen rather than force them.

"Hopefully Bob along with everything else can give me that little bit extra. I want to get back to being in with a chance of a major. I've been down a couple of tunnels thinking there was light at the end of them when there wasn't."

Off-the-course matters have also affected Clarke, he believes. His wife Heather underwent treatment for breast cancer last year and they and their two young children are currently renting a house after their heating broke down.

McGinley's year was even more dismal. Aside, of course, from holing the putt that won the Ryder Cup in September.

"That one moment makes it probably the most memorable year I'll ever have - I even had 50 to 60 people ask me about it at the West Ham game - but I'm now working with Bob Torrance trying to sort my swing out."

From 29th in the world a year ago McGinley is now 100th and does not have a place in the Masters in April. Ten months ago, on his debut in the event, he was 18th at Augusta and missed out on a return trip by a single shot.

Having originally intended to start his year in Malaysia in two weeks' time McGinley has entered next week's Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth.

Clarke's one win last year was at the Forest of Arden and it is there that he and McGinley will play in the British Masters on June 5th-8th.

The event switches from Woburn and is now sponsored by the Daily Telegraph and global services company Damovo in a three-year deal.