How To Warm Up Correctly For A Round Of Golf

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. This is an old adage in sport, but one that is still used today because it’s so true. It is effectively saying that if you don’t prepare yourself physically and mentally before you go out and perform, the inevitability will be failure.

Whatever level of sport you play, you need to ensure that you are properly warmed up. Whilst the professionals will know all too well the importance of warming up, even those at an amateur or recreational level will feel the positive effects of thorough preparation, whatever sport they play. Believe it or not, this includes golf too.

Golf is enjoyed by all sorts of people at all sorts of levels, and one of the most common mistakes for any golfer is to simply rock up five minutes before teeing off. We see this all the time, dashing from their cars to the club house and then onto the first tee. What we usually see next is dropped shots and bogies instead of pars or birdies. This sets them up for a poor round, which as any golfer will tell you, can be incredibly frustrating. No matter what your age or ability, you should warm up and prepare yourself to play to your best – so here’s what you should do:

Arrive Early

Get to the golf course about an hour before you have to tee off. Sort out all the administration chores like checking in, paying the green fees and organising your equipment. At your own pace, get ready for your round in the changing rooms, so change your shoes and clothes accordingly. Don’t rush and take your time; this will set the tempo for the day, so if you’re nice and relaxed it will pay dividends when out on the course.

Practice on the Putting Green

When it comes to practicing before your round, it’s important to start with simple drills which should then get progressively more difficult. The best place to start is on the putting green, as this will put you in the perfect frame of mind by getting you focussed for the round ahead. It also familiarises you with the greens. When putting, start close to the hole and gradually move further out making more difficult and longer putts. Incorporate putts which involve putting up hill or around mounds; this gets you reading the greens and establishes speed control.

Move onto Chipping Shots

Here you can practice your short game, using chipping shots, such as the classic up and down, or the chip and run. Again, it’s all about getting the feel of the swing and the shot, to prepare you for the round ahead. Use a variety of lofted clubs such as a lob wedge, sand wedge and a pitching wedge.

End With the Driving Range

Focus on getting the feel of your swing right. Aim to hit near a target or flag, and mix up your targets and distances throughout so you get a better feel for all of your clubs that you’re going to use. Start with smaller distances, using your sand, lob and pitching wedge, then aim for targets progressively further away, using your short and long irons. As a rule, start with more lofted clubs and gradually move onto longer irons - don’t move onto your next club, until you’ve hit a few good shots with your existing club. Finally, use your woods and drivers, focussing on distance and accuracy.

If you know the course well, practice using the clubs you would normally use for each hole. For example, if the first hole is a par 4, start with a wood or driver and then follow up with an iron shot off the grass. Mix up your shot selection as appropriate.

And Finally

Before attempting any shot, it’s vital that you limber up and stretch appropriately. There are a number of techniques you can use, but a classic limbering method is to place a club behind your neck, with each hand holding either side of the club to hold it in place. Simply swing from side to side, back and forth, and twist. This will prepare your body for the rigours of swinging the club during your round.

Remember, the key to preparation is starting slowly and simply, progressively trying your hand at more difficult shots. This will enhance your confidence and get you focussed so that you can enjoy the round ahead.

By: Vincent A Rogers

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This article was written by Vincent Rodgers, who writes on behalf of a number of online golf shops. If you're looking to purchase golf equipment over the internet, he recommends Foremost Golf Online.