6 Steps to Get You Prepared for a Round of Golf
By Bradley Turner Keiser University College of Golf Director of Online Golf Instruction – MBA, PGA
Most golfers are excited about the weekend with their golf companions, accompanied by a vision of a good round of golf. Invariably, life gets in the way, and players rush to the first tee unprepared for the day ahead of them. If your expectations are high for your golf performance, then you must prepare accordingly. Here are six checkpoints that will get you physically and mentally prepared to play to your potential. I suggest that you complete these steps in the order they are presented to get you fully ready for your next round of golf. After reading each item, give yourself 2 points if this is a normal pre-round activity. Give yourself 1 point if you periodically do this and 0 points if you rarely, if ever, do this.
1. Establish a Strategic Course Management Plan for the Day
When you are playing the home course for the 100th time, you believe that there is little need for a strategic course management plan for the day, but this is not the case. Even your home golf course will play differently based on the weather conditions, especially the wind direction. It does not take too much time to create a plan for the day that maximizes your scoring opportunities. All golfers will go through the highs and lows of playing the game, so it is important to be realistic about the state of your game. If you have been struggling, it is best to utilize an ultra-conservative game plan. On the other hand, if you have been playing well, then a more aggressive strategy could be appropriate. Make a plan, and then stick to it. Do not let the frustration of golf disrupt your course management plan.
2. Nutrition and Hydration
Starting your round fully hydrated is vital to good performance. Drink as much water as you can on your drive to the golf course! During the round, consuming water every other hole will avoid dehydration, which will decrease performance significantly. You should not be thirsty on the golf course! Eating properly before the round is important, too. Avoiding high-sugar foods that increase glucose levels is recommended by sport nutrition experts. Make sure and bring some snacks for the golf course to maintain your energy throughout the round. I like to eat a handful of nuts or a small sports bar every three holes or so. This will keep you mentally and physically engaged throughout the round.
3. Stretch Prior to Hitting Range Balls
The priority of your pre-round routine should start with getting your body moving and ready to play. Most golfers prepare for a round of golf by taking a few practice golf swings on the first tee, which will not produce the results you intend. You do not need a gym or a training aid to do any of the golf stretches; all you need is motivation to play to your potential and about 12 minutes to get yourself ready for the day on the links. Focus on stretching the hamstrings, shoulders, thoracic, hips, ankles, and wrists. About two minutes with each of these six stretches will get you sufficiently ready to start making some warm-up golf swings on the practice range.
4. Leave Plenty of Time to Warm-up Your Entire Game
Creating a pre-round warm-up routine will require you to be disciplined in getting to the course on time. I like to arrive at least one hour before my tee time. The priority should be to get a very good feel for the speed of the greens. Once you feel comfortable with the green speed, then go ahead and warm up your golf swing on the range. Jack Nicklaus believed you should warm up prior to the round, NOT practice before the round. I like to hit 10 balls with my gap wedge, 9 iron, 7 iron, and 5 iron. Another 10 balls with either my hybrid or 3-metal, depending on the tee shots for the day. The last 10 balls are with the driver for a total of 60 warm-up golf swings. If a short game area is available, I will spend the remaining time hitting basic pitch shots and bunker shots.
5. Practice Your Pre-Shot Routine on the Practice Range
While warming up on the range is essential to get your body physically ready to play, you can also incorporate some mental practice at the same time. The pre-shot routine may be the most important aspect of high-level tournament play. When the pressure is on, the ability to rely on a consistent physical and mental routine is critical to success. Golf swings do not fall apart under pressure; people do. It makes good sense to run through your mental routine a few times on the practice range.
6 Hit the First Tee Shot Before Leaving the Range
In most cases, you will be using the driver on the first hole of the day. Imagining the fairway on the driving range and running through your physical and mental pre-shot routine is a great way to finish the warm-up session. Hit your last 5 drives with 100% commitment to your pre-shot routine; it is amazing how confident you can be standing on the first tee!
How Did You Score?
The best players in the world will all score 11 to 12 points. The best amateur players at your golf facility will score at least 9 points, with some of them getting all 12 points. If you are scoring 7 to 8 points, you are attempting to prepare to play to your potential, but you have the opportunity to improve. If you scored 6 or less, then you should manage your expectations since you are not stepping onto the first tee with your best self. My suggestion is to spend more time getting ready before your tee time, and you will likely enjoy a more productive round of golf. Preparing like a professional will not get you to hit the ball like one, but it certainly will allow you to perform to the best of your abilities.
Learn more!
Want more tips? If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, together, we can elevate your game to new heights. Give us a call today at 888-355-4465.
