| When it's time to warm up, some golfers think they | | | | your game at all - though it might arguably be good for |
| need to hit the driving range with everything they've | | | | your frustrations. Take time to gather your calm, focus |
| got. In truth, warming up to make your game as | | | | on your game and let the day's troubles fall away. |
| effective as it can be means that you work on a | | | | Your mood - especially if it's a bad mood - can greatly |
| variety of swings and become familiar with the | | | | impact your game. |
| conditions. | | | | Another mistake many people make at the warm up |
| For example, you golf differently on a windy day than | | | | session is to start practicing. This isn't the time to try |
| if the air is still. You probably play at least a bit different | | | | out new clubs, new swings, or new information. This is |
| on days when the temperature is raging than when it's | | | | a time to play your best game, just as you'll be doing |
| cool. Here are some tips from those who hit the | | | | shortly - at the first tee. It's okay to put in a few |
| courses on a regular basis. | | | | practice swings if you're working on something you |
| Driving is a good way to start, but start slowly. Choose | | | | want to put into play for this game, but don't get |
| a short iron for your first few drives, giving your | | | | caught up in a practice session. One of the purposes |
| muscles a chance to loosen up and to get the feel for | | | | of a warm up time is to build your confidence. You |
| the day. Work up to longer drives, but remember that | | | | can't do that if you're continually making errors. Use the |
| the goal isn't only to see how far the ball will go - | | | | techniques you're most familiar with and be ready to |
| control is more important than distance and this is your | | | | congratulate yourself on all your successes during the |
| chance to gather your skills to exercise that control. | | | | warm up. |
| Don't just drive. Some people make the mistake of | | | | If you are doubtful about the need for a good warm |
| thinking they've completed an adequate warm up once | | | | up period, just think back to a recent game of golf that |
| they've managed to make a few successful drives. | | | | you didn't warm up for. How was your first tee? How |
| Take time for some chipping and putting as well. Make | | | | was the fourth? Did you spend the rest of the game |
| the most of your swing and any recent lessons you've | | | | making up for some poor strokes early on? The warm |
| had. Remember that a round of golf is much more | | | | up is a chance to make those mistakes before they're |
| than teeing off. | | | | being engraved on a score card. |
| One of the most important warm up tips is to get your | | | | Take time to make yourself confident and you'll play a |
| mood and emotions under control. Smacking your | | | | confident game. |
| frustrations out on a golf ball probably isn't going to help | | | | |