A new golf season beckons, and now is the time to begin preparing so that you’re ready to go when you step onto the first tee for the first time. Getting ready for golf season involves preparing your clubs and bag, warming up, and working on your mental game. With that in mind, here are a few tips that will help you start the season right.
- Take an Equipment Check
If you store your clubs in the basement or garage during the winter, they’ll need to be cleaned. Wipe down each club with a damp cloth to remove grime that may have accumulated in the off-season. Pay close attention to the clubfaces and grooves, as these areas tend to build up dirt that can significantly impact spin and trajectory. Also, inspect each club for signs of damage or wear.
- Check Grips
A good golf swing starts with a good grip. Over time, grips wear down or become slick. Inspect each grip for signs of wear, such as smooth patches or cracks. If they need to be re-gripped, now is the time to bring them to your local pro to have him put on new grips that will take you through the season. It’s also the time to polish up your golf shoes and, if necessary, replace the plastic cleats, and to make sure you have all the warm clothing you need for what can often be a chilly spring on Cape Cod.
- Work on the Fundamentals
Even when it’s too cold to venture outside, you can work on posture, ball position and alignment, and also rehearse your swing in front of a mirror. Create an impromptu putting green in your house or office and take a few strokes whenever you have time.
- Find a Simulator or Hit the Driving Range
If you haven’t swung a golf club since October, you might need a refresher course on what works best for you. March can be a tough weather month and it’s difficult to focus on the driving range when the wind is howling and the temperature is near freezing. That’s when an inside golf simulator will allow you to work on your swing and will provide instant feedback. Most simulators are equipped with high-tech launch monitors, so you can use this practice time to learn the distances for each of your clubs. Best of all, hitting balls throughout the winter helps keep your body loose. But if the weather is good, outside is always better. A sunny spring day is the perfect time to hit our driving range. Whichever you do, have a plan in mind. Hit balls with each club to regain your rhythm, work on your technique and focus on your swing. Notice your grip pressure and the tension in your arms and shoulders.
- Dial in Your Short Game
The majority of your preseason practice should focus on the short game. Work on your wedges, learn how far you can hit them with different length swings.
- Work on Your Mental Game
Try to break negative thoughts you’ve battled previously and focus on reducing tension and maintaining good tempo throughout your swing. During your pre-shot ritual, focus on generating positive swing thoughts. Picture the perfect shot you’re about to hit. Repeat your pre-shot process and set-up until they become second nature.
- Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
This is a great way to begin the season. It gives you something to strive for, and if the goals are realistic, it also removes pressure. Your goals might involve lowering your handicap, hitting more fairways, learning to control your temper when things go wrong, improving your course management, taking fewer risks when in trouble, or simply enjoying the experience of being on the golf course more than you have in the past. Whatever it is, make your goals achievable and then start to plan on how to go about exceeding them.
- Make a Schedule
If you’re a member at The Captains, it’s likely that you’ll already have a copy of this year’s events. Pencil these in early to avoid disappointment closer to the time, and make a note of available weekends when you may want to fill in with something different. It can be a hugely enjoyable exercise to schedule your golf outings for the year, and it will help you focus as you begin the new season. And if you’re not a member, well, why not?
Great advice! See you in April!