Every golfer wants to have a good day at the golf course. The way you warm up for your round has a big impact on what sort of day you will have. In this article, we will review an ideal warm-up for your round. If you don't have much time for your warmup, check out my advice on the best way to warm up fast.
The purpose of your warm-up before your golf round is not to put a lot of new concepts into play, or "fix your swing", or anything similarly radical. Such things must be done in dedicated practice sessions at the driving range or practice facility. As you warm up, you are just trying to get mentally and physically prepared to play golf, with the swing and feel you have, on this particular day. You are looking for the swing thoughts and ideas, feel, and confidence, that work for you today.
Get to the course about an hour before your tee time if you can. Check in, pay greens fees, get your cart (walking is better though), and so on. With these chores out of the way, you can focus on preparation for your round.
As you prepare, it is important to start with the simpler drills, and then advance to the more difficult shots. This builds your confidence, which is absolutely mandatory for a good round of golf.
You should start on the putting green. Putting puts you in the proper frame of mind for golf, because it gets you focused on getting the ball into the hole. Start close to the hole with the balls in a line putting drill, and the surround the cup putting drill. Gradually move farther from the hole with these drills. Once you feel comfortable with your stroke, hit lag putts and be sure to make every putt. As you are putting, be sure to listen for the ball to drop, don't let your golf ball line wobble, and make sure your putts all either go in or finish past the hole. Breaking putts should be missing on the high side or going in the hole.
Chipping comes next. Focus on feel, and always keep your hands ahead of the ball during the chip. Putt in every one of your chips, so you get the feel of getting up and down. After a few chips, move on to the driving range.
On the driving range, focus on getting the feel of your swing and your tendencies for the day. Again, you are not trying to invent new swing techniques, just trying to find what works for you today. Be sure to use a club on the ground for aiming, and aim at a spot right in front of you on your target line, and always aim at something as you practice. These setup-related points are crucial because they ensure you have a consistent
and correct setup for each shot. They will help you find your swing quickly as you prepare for your round.
When you warm up, begin with your sand or lob wedge, hitting pitch shots of 20 yards, then 30 yards, 40 yards, and so on. Only make a full swing after about ten shots. Be sure to accelerate through the ball and have a high finish on your pitch shots. Finally, hit some full sand wedges. Then move to your longer irons -- nine iron, seven iron, five iron.
It is important to start with the more lofted clubs because they are easier to hit than your long irons. This will give you more confidence as you groove your swing for the day. Don't move to a longer club until you've hit several good shots with the shorter club. This is important, because if you find that you are struggling with, say, your five iron, you can use your nine iron swing (which worked) with your five iron.
Unless the grass on the driving range is truly immaculate (seldom the case), you should put the ball on a tee for these initial iron shots, especially for the longer irons. Finally, hit a few three woods, longer irons, and a few drivers.
Finally, rehearse how you will hit the clubs as you play the course. For example, if the first hole is a par four, hit a driver (or three wood), then a seven iron off the grass, but aiming at a flag that is not directly in front of you -- choose one at an angle that forces you to line up your shot carefully. If hole #2 is a par three, hit a six iron off a tee. If hole #3 is a par 5, hit driver, three wood, then a 60-yard sand wedge. And so on until you are satisfied with your ability to hit your clubs the proper distance, on your intended line.
If you follow this routine, you will have both a short and long game that your can trust on the golf course. This will lead to lower scores and a much more enjoyable round for you and your playing partners.
Enjoy your round!
Please let us know if this routine and strategy works for you! Bookmark, Share, or Comment below!
Copyright 2009, GolfTipReviews.com, All Rights Reserved.
Share this with your Golfing Buddies! -- Did you enjoy this article on Golf Tip Reviews? Then please tell your friends--click a colorful button below and spread the word!
May all your putts roll true -- GolfTipEditor
