Bryan Zell, PGA

Time before your round of golf can be spent wisely with an effective 30-minute warm up routine.   Start your routine on the putting green for five minutes strictly gaining feel for the speed of the greens by rolling putts from 20 feet and longer.  Now it’s time to head to the practice tee for the full swing warm up.   Before you even hit a ball, prepare your body for making swings for five minutes.  Begin with two minutes of arm circles going in both directions followed by two minutes of light stretching for your quads, hamstrings, and calves.  Finish with a rotational stretch by placing a couple of clubs behind your back while in golf posture and rotate into your backswing and finish position.

Now that your body is prepared to make swings, let’s go through the full swing portion of the warm up.   Keep in mind that for each practice shot, you should have a precise target and no more than one swing thought throughout the bag.  Begin with hitting pitch shots to distances that are roughly 20, 40, and 60 yards for five minutes.  These shots help you establish your distance control, create good impact positions, and develop the proper rhythm for your full swing.  Pitch shots require a fair amount of feel and the best time to develop that feel is before your round as opposed to during the round.  The next five minutes should involve hitting shots with your odd numbered clubs beginning with your 9 iron through your 5 iron.  You will use these clubs frequently so it is well worth your time to practice them.  The final portion of the full swing warm up is with your driver or your least lofted club for five minutes.  If you are playing a course that you are familiar with, rehearse the first tee shot on the practice tee with a successful result.  If you are not familiar with the course, make sure you leave the tee with a good shot.  Once you have a good image in your mind for the first tee it is time to head to the putting green to finish out your warm-up routine.

Your final trip to the putting green should involve both short and long putts.  Take three balls and make sure that you hole each putt out before moving to the next hole.  This will allow you the opportunity to roll putts for distance and make short putts as well.  Your routine is now complete and it is time to take your game to the course.  During this routine you have had a chance to warm up your full swing and create a great feel for the greens.  That preparation will pay off when you get on to the course. 

SUMMARY

Bryan Zell
PGA