Preparation before a round of golf is an area many golfers don't take into account.
A general golfer might chuck the clubs in the car, role up 10 minutes before tee off, hit a couple of putts, wafts the club a few times then tees off. But to get the edge on your playing partners make sure your prepared.
Clean clubs
Dirt in the groves can effect the outcome of your shot dramatically as the ball will not spin up the clubface consistently. Cleaner clubs make you look and feel more professional too.
Stock up before playing
This means tees, balls, drinks (not cans of Fosters or Fizzy drinks!), food, clean towel. Have a monthly check of your studs in your shoes as they can play a pivotal role to your stability.
Get to the club with at least an hour to spare
You might not notice it but when you turn up short on time you haven't got time to settle into your surrounding and prepare properly. How many people do you here who have a bad first few holes then get into the groove? By this point it's too late.
Try and cover as many different aspects of the game before play
This doesn't have to be an hour on each area. A few bunker shots, chips, pitches, full shots and putts will suffice to get you ready for play.
Loosen up before play
Yes you might feel a bit silly in front of your friends but loosening up will help your swing be more flexible and avoid you getting injured. Don't fall into the trap of copying other golfers loosening up as they probably aren't doing golf specific stretches. I would advise booking in with a golf-specific physio to gain advise on what stretches would be best.
Finally don't just waft the club around on the first tee
Baseball swings are not going to help you make a good connection on the first hole. Make sure your practice swings have a purpose and you focus on a spot on the ground to help improve your strike.
Date published :
28 Jun 2010 - 09:52:25
