As I write this week’s column, we have just completed the first round of the masters. Historically, the Masters has always signaled the start of the golf season or even a week later but this year we opened March 25th! The earliest start in 30 years!
If you haven’t been out yet, the course is in great shape and the greens have never wintered better! To get you off to a good start I would like to suggest nothing too complicated… just simple stuff to inspire and create a point for focus to kick the year off. So, here’s five tips to get you going!
Tempo and Timing
My first simple tip to start the year off is to focus on your tempo. This is important at any time but especially crucial at the start of the year. You’ve just come off a major layoff, muscles are weak and you haven’t swung a club in months so hit the range. Focus on a smooth swing with the upper and lower body in sync. Swings that look good have the lower and upper body in timing with each other that leads us to believe their swing’s are effortless when nothing could be further from the truth…they are swinging hard! It just doesn’t look that way due to their extraordinary skill at creating superb tempo…nothing looks rushed.
Nick Faldo often says Ernie Els is so lucky because saying his name is a great way to swing the club. As you take the club back, say Er..nie and coming down say Els. This is very similar to 1 & 2. The point is to slow it down keep your tempo or timing down to a simple 1 & 2. You’ll find your ball striking will become way more consistent and solid. However, after the first hole today at the Masters we won’t talk about Ernie’s putting at least for now.
Keep Your Head Down!
We’ve all heard this one…way too much, especially from husband to wife. The reality of this tip is to focus on watching yourself hit the ball. The temptation is to take a peak…too early…to see where the ball is going, especially early in the season. Just stay “down” long enough to see yourself strike the ball. I will often hit balls never looking up but still getting my body into the finish position, just to get used to staying “down”. This drill will increase the number of pure shots you hit, help you maintain your spine angle and cut down on the slice.
Take a Lesson
Kick off the year with a lesson. A lesson will reinforce the basics and have you focussing on and reviewing the proper mechanics. There is no greater tool for learning than seeing yourself in action. All my lessons include video so you can see yourself and exactly what you are doing. Your video will also be a great reference for reminding yourself of your swing keys down the road.
New Grips
Nothing is worse than starting the year off with worn, shiny, slippery grips. Your clubs will feel like new and you will have renewed enthusiasm for your clubs when they are feeling good in your hands. We have a nice assortment of grips in stock at Lakeside for you to chose from. It’s not that expensive to have done and we can often do one or two grips while you wait or your full set in a day. Each spring you should be putting a new grip on your driver at the very least.
Buy a New Outfit or Accessory
I am actually serious about this helping your game. The reason we buy clothes is because we get bored with our old ones and we want to cheer ourselves up and make ourselves look good. The same can hold true when we set foot on the course. Wearing a nice new shirt, shoes, glove or jacket IS going to increase your concentration because you’re going to feel like you have become committed to your golf. Your pro shop staff has also worked hard at choosing this year’s clothing lines and nothing would make them feel better than for you to support their fashion decisions… you will also get a good deal at most clubs as they generally, will kick the season off with a sale. Help your pro shop and help your self!
Remember to keep it simple! Try not to over think your swing or mechanics and remember it is early. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to score well this early in the year as it’s just not fair to yourself. Just enjoy the fact you are out and playing! Follow these five tips and you will be well on your way to “playing Your best golf” and….looking good!
