Golf Instruction -
Proper Warmup
Proper warmup is
essential for peak performance in any sport. If you attend any
professional sporting event you always see athletes going through a
pre-game warmup, and pro golfers are no different. By the time tour
professionals step to the first tee, they are fully prepared to make
their best swings from the opening tee shot.
Most amateurs, however, get "warmed up" by dashing from their cars to
the pro shop to check in, then running to the first tee, all within five
minutes or so. Usually this is followed by unsteady play for the first
five holes and ends up with another disappointing round.
In my opinion, with this style of warmup, golfers are making bogies
before they ever step on the course. To avoid this syndrome I recommend
the following routine:
• Get to the course early. You need enough time to take care of your
business in the golf shop, use the restroom, change your shoes, etc. It
is important that you do not feel rushed, so allow time to complete this
entire warmup period at a leisurely pace. Remember, your warmup routine
sets the tempo for the day, so move slowly and relax. I recommend that
you arrive at the course a minimum of one hour before your tee time.
• Begin warming up on the putting green. Putting is 43-percent of golf
and the putting stroke is the slowest and smoothest of all strokes in
golf. By spending time warming up on the green first, you will not only
be prepared for the speed of the greens but you will also be starting
the day with smooth, deliberate tempo. It makes no sense to visit the
range first and get stretched out and limbered up for the opening drive,
then stand for 15 minutes nearly motionless on the putting green.
Spend the first five minutes putting to a tee or a coin from twenty,
thirty and forty feet and from a variety of angles. Watch the ball and
pay attention to how much the ball rolls. Speed control is critical in
putting and time spent judging pace will pay off on the course. Many
students often complain that the greens on the course are not the same
as the practice greens. The only difference between the two is the
pressure to perform. The practice green is cut at the same height with
the same mower and is usually constructed in the same manner as the
greens on the course. The putts you roll on the course count and the
pressure to perform makes the greens seem different.
You should then spend another five minutes or so rolling putts to a tee
or coin from ten feet in to three feet. Do not putt at the cup. You
never want to see the ball miss the hole, so just use a tee or coin.
Also, if you roll putts at a small target like a tee or coin, the hole
will seem huge and, therefore, your confidence level will be high.
Confidence is vital to good putting.
Finally, spend a few minutes hitting 25 six-inch putts that run straight
up hill. You will make all 25 in a row and this will set you up with the
perfect image: the ball rolling in the hole every time.
• Spend 10 minutes hitting chips around the green with a tee as a
target. To determine how much the ball will roll you must test the
firmness of the greens. On hard greens the ball tends to roll more than
on soft greens. Also, different types of rough make the ball react
differently when the ball hits the green. Spending time around the green
will give you some ideas that will help you choose the best greenside
shots during the round, and where to land the ball on the putting
surface.
• Begin your full swing warmup with stretching. Stretching can improve
your range of motion by up to 17-percent. It also helps you avoid injury
and it helps relieve chronic joint pain. Dr. Frank Jobe outlines the
best pre-round stretching program in "Exercise Guide to Better Golf."
This portion of your warmup should take approximately 15 minutes.
• Walk slowly to the practice tee and begin your full swing warmup with
short wedge shots. You should use a short tee for all your shots on the
range. This will help you contact the ball crisply, which will breed
confidence.
Beginning with wedge shots also helps you start your routine with smooth
tempo and rhythm.
After hitting 10 wedges or so, begin working from your short irons up to
the long irons and woods. Make each swing rhythmic and swing with
complete balance control. Your last few full swings should be with the
club you intend to use on the first tee, usually a 3- or 5-wood. Save
the last five balls for some smooth, short wedge shots, or make full,
slow-motion swings that only go 50 to 100 yards with your driver (the
Fred Couples Drill). This will help you reinforce the controlled rhythm
and balance that you will use on the course.
• Time your routine so that at its completion, you can stroll to the
first tee just in time for your group’s assigned time. You never want to
stand around for more than a few minutes after warmup. If there is a
delay, stand to the side of the tee and make slow swings and stretch to
stay loose.
Remember: If you fail to warm up properly you are setting yourself up to
fail when you play. Use the mentality of a professional: make and take
the time to warm up for peak performance and better scores.
From:
http://golf.about.com/cs/tipslessons/a/warmupbetter.htm
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