One of the best tips you will ever get for improving your game and lowering your scores is to simply arrive at the course early! Yes it’s as simple as that…just get there early! A lot of good things are going to happen upon your early arrival!
First off, you’re not going to be stressed out from the drive and traffic trying to make a tee time that you might be late for. In fact, the opposite will happen. Hopefully, you are going to arrive at the course relaxed and in a good mood in anticipation of a wonderful day of golf with your friends because as you drove you visualized good swings and good thoughts and realized just how fortunate you are to be able to play golf today.
Secondly, your early arrival and check in at the proshop assists the staff in handling you in a professional manner. It helps the proshop staff and starter in the timely operation of the tee sheet. By checking in early you also have an opportunity to chat with the staff, perhaps exchange names and who knows what tips, advice or sales info they might pass along to you. None of that happens if you are late or rushed.
Thirdly, you get to have a proper warm up for your game. Once again, I am amazed at how many people just do not see the importance of hitting some balls, chips and putts before they tee it up. We now get to see on TV, especially during the majors, the arrival of the players to the course. Often, we get to see Jordan, Rory and Day or whoever else is in contention pull up in their car, in the parking lot, and make their way to the range. They are getting to the course one and a half to two hours before they tee off so as to be ready from their first shot on. Why should you be any different if possible? Arriving 30, 45 minutes to one hour before you tee off is plenty of time for you to hit some shots and prepare properly.
Here’s some tips on how to spend your warm up time:
1. As you get your clubs out check the bag for the equipment and accessories you will need for that day ie. balls, glove, replace a spike, wind shirt, rain gear or umbrella. You now have time if you need to buy something or to take extra time to dress and prepare.
2. Head to the range and do a little stretching.
3. Depending on how much time you have…start with your wedges and work your way up to the driver. Finish up with the shots from the clubs you will use for the first few holes. It’s sometimes a good idea to play the first to holes on the range playing the clubs you would normally hit on the opening holes.
4. Head to the putting green/short game area for a few chips, sand shots and putts.
5. Relax, head for the first tee with your group knowing in your mind you are ready to play.
Finally, if you arrive early and just have time to get something to eat, forgetting the warm up, you are going to be better off for it. Your body needs fuel to play properly. Starting off hungry hoping to buy something off the cart girl or wait for the half way house is no way to start.
So as you can see…a lot of good things can happen just by getting to the course early… which will go a long way to helping you play YOUR best golf!
