Got Cobwebs?
I am fortunate to live in the wonderful state of Arizona and our winter is limited to about 3 days in mid January where the temperatures dip below 60 degrees and we all stay locked up in our houses for the stint. Most of the visitors to the Hilton Golf Academy aren’t as lucky. Cold weather locations with lengthy winters and hectic lives that don’t allow time for extended golfing vacations are all factors that contribute to four or five months off from the golf swing each year.
Depending upon where you live, March or April marks the month where most people are finally getting out to their golf courses for the first time in months. There might have been a time over the winter where the weather broke for a day or two, but now is the real time to start that golf swing up and see what might be left over from the fall.
As you head out this spring, here are five things you can do that will assure you a smooth transition into swinging the club again. I can’t guarantee the results, but I can guarantee that you won’t hurt yourself and you’ll feel better physically if you follow a few of these ideas.
Stretch – I am confident that most of you aren’t 20 years old, 165lbs, with 3% body fat and in perfect physical shape…or are you? Whether you are or not doesn’t really matter, you have to stretch your body. You have to get your golf muscles talking a little bit and let them know the motion is coming soon. I suggest stretching out a couple of days before you head out to the lesson tee. I would suggest 10-15 minutes for 3 days prior to hitting any golf balls. Hold each stretch for about 7-8 seconds and don’t neglect the “hammy’s”. People think that the back is the most important and it may very well be, but you need to focus on those legs too.
Start with Putter – Don’t walk out to the lesson tee and break out the new $400 driver you got for Christmas and just removed the plastic from. Go to the putting green and putt a 1-foot putt and make it! Start your season off on the right foot, with a sunk putt, not a topped driver. Here, we are trying to work on the attitude as well as the motion. Relax, get a nice tempo and ease into the season, don’t sprint into it!
Go with a Friend – Everyone is going to struggle right out of the gates, not just you. I am a big believer that all you are trying to do is get comfortable again. Practice with a friend will keep it light and relaxing. It is also fun to try a few putting games against each other. That will get the competitive juices flowing and motivate you for the next time you come out.
Take a Lesson – I don’t recommend a lesson on the first return visit to the practice facility, but after you hit once or twice – get a lesson! I promise you, if you show up and miraculously hit it perfect for 30 minutes…it won’t be there the next time. Nobody takes 5 months off and comes back as Tiger Woods. Maybe for 15 minutes, but eventually your brain will start thinking about how great you think you are and then poof! Top! Top! Top! Do yourself a favor and have a professional look at your swing for just 15-20 minutes and allow them to give you a tip or two.
Have Fun! – Every person I have ever taught or sent one of our many Golf Academy locations, has been taught the same thing…This is about having fun! I tell people every week, if this isn’t fun for you, then quit! There are so many more pressing issues in every person’s life the golf course needs to be a place of escape, rest, relaxation, and fun. Make sure you head out this summer with that thought in mind.
Jerramy Hainline is the Director of the Hilton Golf Academy in Phoenix, AZ. He can be reached at 800-945-6478 or email Jerramy.Hainline@hilton.com.
