Shaking Off the Winter Rust
It’s been a brutally long winter on Cape Cod, but the snow is gone (mostly) and golf season is finally here. Unless you took a winter journey to warmer climes or spent time at an indoor simulator, your game has been in storage for months. You might worry that you no longer remember how to swing the club and hit the ball. Rust can result in a lack of confidence. With that in mind, here are some tips on easing your way back onto the course.
- Bring Those Muscles Back to Life
It’s always critical to stretch before every round, but never more so than when you haven’t used your golf muscles for months. Establish a routine before playing. Rotate the shoulders and hips, stretch the back, maybe even do some squats to work on the legs.
- Take an Equipment Check
Check your grips. Are they worn or cracked? Wipe down each club with a damp cloth to remove grime that may have accumulated during the off-season. Pay close attention to the clubfaces and grooves. Invest in a new golf glove. Is it time for more comfortable golf shoes? Starting the season fresh will do wonders for your state of mind.
- Ease Into It
Before heading to the first tee, spend a few days at the practice range. But work into it slowly. Begin with half-swings, using a wedge or 9-iron. The goal is to regain feel and tempo, and rediscover how to hit clean, crisp shots. Try to maintain a smooth, rhythmic motion.
- Focus on the Short Game
It’s no secret that the surest way to shave strokes off your handicap is to develop a precise short game. It’s also little secret that the short game feel is affected the most by a long layoff. At the range, hit 50-yard wedge shots to regain feel. Then, head to the practice putting green and work on your touch. Finally, pull out the flat stick and practice putts of less than 10 feet.
- Work Your Way Up the Bag
Start with wedges, move on to mid-irons, and then hit a few hybrids. Do not even think about pulling out the driver until you are making solid contact with all the other clubs.
- Go Positive
You’ve probably heard the cliché that 90 percent of golf is played in the six inches between your ears. Start the year right by vowing to break negative thinking that has hurt you in the past. Develop a pre-shot routine in which you envision the perfect shot until it becomes second nature. This will reduce tension and keep you calm even under stressful situations.
- Be Realistic
It’s unlikely that you will play your best golf or shoot your lowest scores early in the season. Even a tour pro would not expect to be firing on all cylinders after months of not playing. Set realistic goals at the outset. It could be striking the ball solidly, improving course management, avoiding three putts, taking fewer risks when in trouble. Think about playing what some might call “boring” golf by hitting irons off the tee on a short par-4, laying up short of the water or aiming for the center of the green instead of taking on a difficult pin. Remember, making par is never dull!
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