Southbrook Golf & Country Club

Prepare Like A Pro
By Rob Starr

Tour pros prepare to play their best everyday. You'll never see a Tour pro arrive at the club 10 minutes before his tee time, rush to the range, hit a half-dozen balls, then hurry to the first tee. Is it any wonder amateurs struggle to play to their full potential?

For peak performance, a golfer must use a systematic warm-up. A warm-up is not a practice session. It's not the time to try new equipment or work on swing changes.

Here is a step-by-step guide for warming up before heading down the first fairway ready to play your best.

DON'T RUSH - Arrive at the golf course at least one hour before your tee time.

EAT LIGHT - Fresh fruit, muffins, and cereal are the preferred choices for an early morning tee time. Also, you should eat about 90 minutes before your tee time to prevent any sluggish feelings.

STRETCH BEFORE SWINGING - Whether it's at home, in the locker room, or out on the range, stretching is very important. Stretching loosens up your muscles for maximum performance. If muscles aren't stretched, they can tighten up and become vulnerable to strains. This is the key to injury prevention.

SWING TO FIND BALANCE AND TEMPO - Preround swings are all about finding a comfortable tempo and balance. PGA Tour Pro Lee Trevino says tempo is the single most important part of the swing.

START WITH THE SHORTEST CLUB - Shorter clubs put less strain on the body at impact. Save the driver until your muscles are loosened up and your swing is on track.

DON'T OVERDO IT - A typical progression is pitching wedge, 9-iron, 7-iron, 5-iron, 3-iron, 3-wood, and driver, while hitting only about 5 balls with each. Overdoing it can develop bad habits.

PRACTICE THE SHORT GAME - Hitting a mixture of chips, lobs, and pitches before playing gets you in a groove before your round. Rolling a few long putts on the practice green can help you find the speed of the greens on any particular day.

ARRIVE EARLY ON THE TEE - Take this time to visualize exactly how you want to play the first hole. This also gives you time to get rid of the jitters and familiarize yourself with anybody watching.

Above all, if you are just out with friends to play a fun game, don't get too upset at ugly shots, because there is always more to come. A single shot can suddenly boost your confidence and change around your whole game. If you're playing an important round, like a tournament, be careful not to hit too many balls on the range before your game because bad habits can easily be developed and are difficult to get rid of during a round.