Prepare for the season
Spring has sprung and it is time to start thinking about your golf game. To help you get back in the swing of things, I have compiled a list of the top 10 things golfers should do to prepare for the upcoming season.
Equipment
This is a great time to evaluate all of your equipment for the upcoming year. A great deal of new technology has emerged on the market for the 2007 season. As far as your irons are concerned, it is important that you are playing with the correct lie angle, length, shaft and the proper club head to match your ability. To ensure that you have the proper driver, I suggest you get tested on a launch monitor. This device will make sure your driver has the correct launch and correlating spin to maximize your distance. Go to your local PGA professional and have your clubs tested today.
Grips
Check the grips on your clubs to see if they need re-gripping. If so, make sure you replace your grips with the same size grips you previously had on your clubs.
Golf ball
Are you playing the correct golf ball for your ability? I suggest having a ball fitting done on a launch monitor to make sure your golf ball is not spinning too much or too little, either of which will result in a loss of distance.
Golf bag stocked
Have you stocked your golf bag with new gloves, balls, tees, ball markers, Band-Aids, rain suit, umbrella, sunscreen and rule book? When you play golf, you want to be prepared for all conditions and situations.
Golf shoes
How are those non-metal spikes looking? It is important to have good, non-metal spikes to prevent slipping. Are your shoes in good condition? Are they still comfortable? Are they still waterproof? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it’s time to invest in a new pair of shoes.
Golf fitness
Have you been stretching and doing a golf fitness program during the off season? It is never too late to get started. You want to strengthen your golf-specific muscles, and this involves the core muscles. Yoga and pilates are wonderful fitness activities for golf. These two programs will give you flexibility and strengthen your core muscles. Always remember to take time to stretch before you hit the first golf ball.
Mental game
As we all know, the game of golf is a very mental sport. It is amazing how intimidating a little white ball can be. Read books or listen to CDs on the mental aspect of the game to get your head ready for the season.
Course management
Be committed during the 2007 season to making good decisions on the golf course. Know how far you hit every club in your golf bag. Only hit shots that you are comfortable hitting. If you hit the ball into trouble, get it back in play. Eliminate the big numbers.
Golf attire
Check out the new dry-fit golf shirts on the market that make playing in the warm weather more enjoyable. Always have a hat and plenty of sunscreen for the upcoming season.
Lessons/golf school
Once you have all the above items checked off your list, I suggest you take some lessons from your local PGA professional. Golfers in Charlottesville are lucky to have a number of wonderful golf professionals in the area. It is always nice to start the year off knowing your fundamentals are good, so a refresher lesson is always a wise choice. Having the correct grip and setup and knowing how to line-up correctly sure make the game a lot simpler. If you truly want to lower your scores this year, take some lessons on your short game (putting, chipping, pitching and bunkers). Most importantly, make sure you practice what you learn in the lessons.
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