Start getting your golf game ready -- it's never too early. Get your game fit for the season!
1) Make a commitment to improve your golf game this year, and get beyond conventional theories -- if you're following the same old conventional theory then you'll receive the same old conventional results. If you're still trying to keep your head down, you definitely need to see a pro...
2) Good fitness, equipment fitness, good instruction, and a some common sense -- these aren't secrets, but they are the four keys. Any one will help. All four will compound your improvement. It's winter, and you have just a few months to get your game in shape ... Start now!
3) Fitness: If you're committed this will help more than you know, and besides, it's cold outside! Consult a doctor before you start. Make a schedule and commit to it even if it's only 30 minutes twice a week. You need to take a couple of months to strengthen your legs and core, stretch, and do some aerobic exercise. If your legs can't support what your mind wants to do then your balance is already affected. If walking is all you can do, then start doing it.
4) Do golf-specific stretches regularly -- say 3 to 5 times per week, and before each round. Warm your muscles first by doing 10 - 15 minutes of walking or other aerobic exercise. Legs, hips, back, shoulders -- stretching your hamstrings and strengthening your quads takes stress off your back. Stretching your waist and back helps you turn your body in your swing. Stretching your back and shoulders creates a bigger turn and more power. Good fitness adds up to strength, flexibility, speed, and stability. Put those into a golf swing and you have better directional control and more distance.
5) Fitness for your clubs: a precise fitting for clubs is essential. Can you play with clubs that don't fit? Sure, but can you play well with clubs that don't fit? For every one who does there are hundreds that can't. If your clubs don't fit a good swing then you won't make one. Get a club fitting from a certified teacher/club fitter!
6) If nothing else, at least have a golf pro test your equipment. If your clubs don't fit, at least it's nice to know whether the ball might go left or right. Be warned that clubs that don't fit can actually cause injuries -- for example if the shaft is too stiff and the loft is too low you'll fight to hit it higher which puts unnecessary stress on your back, hips, shoulders, and arms. And, consider if all that's happening and you're trying to keep your head down, you're making it worse. Are you talented enough to compensate for clubs that don't fit? It may be hard to hear, but it's not likely.
7) Instruction: Get some one-on-one instruction from a good, reputable golf pro. If the pro knows the benefits of proper equipment and the right swing, then you're ahead of the game. Balance is first and foremost. If you're off balance then you're losing power and accuracy. In an effort to hit it straight, if your club doesn't fit it can throw you off balance.
8) Ask the pro to go beyond the golf swing, however. Why can't you hit the ball solid and straight every time? Guess what? It's not supposed to: for one thing, common sense says the golf course is not flat! For example, if your ball is on the side of a hill the ball is not supposed to go straight. Or, if the ball is in the rough you may not be able to hit it solid. Ask the pro to go on the golf course to teach you. If they can't or won't, find another pro. Playing better golf is not all about the golf swing...
9) Common sense says PRACTICE. Ok, the driving range is fine. But do some practice on the golf course in your first 2 or 3 outings. Best way: Go out when the course is not busy. This is a great way to learn and improve. Just remember not to hold up the play of others. Or, tell your playing partners you're playing a practice round and hit some extra shots on the course for practice. Encourage them to do so as well.
10) How can you learn from hitting extra shots on the course? One way is to immediately try to correct what went wrong on the last shot. You may not be successful, but by trying to correct it you will learn in the long run.
11) Combine fitness, club fitting, instruction, and common sense and you'll play better golf.
Share your tips and best golfing stops on the road!!
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You forgot to include one most important thing: focus. You should be able to concentrate on your game to improve on it.
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