Preparation for your autumnal return to the golf course begins long before rolling that shiny new Titleist over Tifdwarf greens. Here are five great ways to train for playing at a high level as the desert’s golf season unwinds.
1. Ease Your Body Back Onto The Course.
Slowly get your golf muscles into shape with daily stretching techniques and well-rounded off-course activities, including hiking, calisthenics, light weights, yoga, and long walks. Work multiple muscle groups and build up stamina for that first four-hour-plus round.
2. Take Care Of Your Hands.
Many players suffer sore or blistered hands at the beginning of golf season from the sudden onset of repetitive swings. Build up those callouses and toughen your hands gradually. Start with 50 easy practice swings with a wedge daily before working your way up to 100.
3. Be Kind To Your Feet.
Avoid breaking in that new pair of spikes or revisiting your favorite FootJoys during your first day out on the greens. Instead, don those soft spikes while taking your practice cuts outside and get your feet used to wearing a pair of shoes that have been in your closet for months.
4. Practice Beforehand On And Around The Greens.
Most golfers can’t wait to dust off the driver. Get a jump on your competition by starting your season with chipping and putting practice, which will reestablish feel. This short-game preparation will increase early-season confidence and extend itself to the tee box in short time.
5. After You've Worded Back Up To Full Range Sessions, Shift Your Game Into Overdrive.
Warm up muscles with wedges and high-lofted irons before gearing up to hybrids, fairway metals, and eventually your driver, which, most players, only use around a dozen times per round.