Making the Most of Your Pre-Round 30 Minutes
You’ve arrived at the course half an hour before your tee time. Now what? After nearly 30 years in the business and 16 as a PGA Professional and Coach, I’ve seen how these precious 30 minutes can make or break your round before you even hit your first shot.
The Pro’s Secret
Let me tell you something that might surprise you: the best players in the world aren’t frantically pounding drivers on the range right before they play. They have a system, and you should too.
Start With The Right Mindset
First things first, take a deep breath. The parking lot isn’t the place to start rushing. Give yourself a moment to transition into “golf mode.” I tell my students to leave their work stress and home distractions in the car. Those emails can wait until after your round.
The First 5 Minutes: Get Organized
When you step out, spend your first 5 minutes checking in and getting organized. Say hello to the pro shop staff (we notice and appreciate it), confirm your tee time, and get your gear situated. Make sure you have enough tees, balls, a marker, and a pitch tool. Nothing worse than scrambling for these basics on the first tee.
The Next 10-12 Minutes: Putting Green First
Now, with about 25 minutes left, head to the putting green. Yes, the putting green first, not the range. This is where you’ll spend a good 10-12 minutes. Start with some short 3-footers to build confidence and feel. Work outward gradually to longer putts, focusing on speed control rather than making everything. Try to get a genuine feel for how the greens are rolling that day.
12-15 Minutes Before Tee Time: Efficient Range Session
With roughly 12-15 minutes remaining, move to the range, but resist the temptation to immediately grab your driver. Start with a wedge or 9-iron, making smooth, rhythmic swings. I always tell my students: “We’re warming up, not wearing out.” Hit maybe 5-6 shots with a mid-iron, then a few with a hybrid or fairway wood before finally hitting 3-4 drives maximum.
The goal here isn’t to fix your swing or make major changes. It’s simply to find your tempo and get a sense of how you’re striking it today. Some days you’ll have your “A” swing, other days maybe your “C” swing. Knowing what you’ve brought to the course is invaluable.
The Final 5 Minutes: Mental Preparation
With your final 5 minutes, head back to the putting green for a few more rolls, or simply walk to the first tee early. Use this time to meet your playing partners, check your tee, review your swings in your V1 GOLF app, and mentally prepare for that first shot.
The Bottom Line
Remember, these 30 minutes aren’t about grinding or fixing; they’re about preparing your body and mind. The pros aren’t trying to reinvent their swings in the minutes before a round, and neither should you.
I’ve seen thousands of pre-round routines over the decades, and the most effective ones are simple, consistent, and focused on feel rather than technical thoughts. Give this approach a try next time out, and I bet you’ll step onto that first tee with more confidence and clarity than ever before.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is a multiple award-winning Golf Professional based in Central Florida. He is the 2017 PGA of America’s National Youth Player Development Award Winner and is the recipient of more than 25 other industry awards with a focus on Coaching & Education. He is considered by his peers as an industry expert on topics ranging from Jr. Golf Development to Operations to Industry Sustainability. He is the founder of the Little Linksters Golf Academies and the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development, a 501c3 nonprofit also based out of Central Florida. Brendon is also a freelance golf writer for PGA.com, Golf Range Magazine and several other golf websites and blogs. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. You can learn more about Brendon at BrendonElliott.com and Little Linksters at littlelinksters.com.
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