Practice That Swing!

It’s the great unconquerable game that we both love and despise. A slight twist in the hips, movement of the head or proximity to the ball and your shot might be heading for the woods, the drink, or the beach. Still, when you line everything up just right, strike the ball cleanly and smash a perfect drive down the fairway, or watch your approach shot land softly just feet from the pin, there really is no feeling like a great golf shot. Whether you’re a weekend duffer, retiree playing with friends, scratch player, or just getting started with the game, every round of golf is a challenge.

With the most stable weather of the year, summer is when the courses see, by far, the most visitors. The weekend warriors come out of hibernation, typically cruising in a power cart and taking down several nerve-calming beverages throughout their round. The final tally isn’t always what’s important to these golfers, rather the camaraderie amongst friends after a long week of work, coupled with enjoying a great Northwest day outdoors having fun instead of tackling yard work.

Still, others seek the serenity of a quiet round just after sunrise. In the calm of the early morning, the crack of a tee shot seems to linger longer, and getting in a quick 9 before most have even started their day gives a great sense of pride to early risers.

No matter your skill set and the experience you hope to achieve, you are very likely sitting just a short drive from a course that can provide what you are looking for. If it has been some time since you last swung a club or if you are new to the game, there are a few things on the to-do list that will help ‘get you in the swing of things’ for prime summer rounds.

Anyone who has kept an eye on the PGA Tour over the past 20 years has seen a pretty dramatic shift in player appearance. Gone are most of the rail skinny and overly husky players, and most pro players today take their fitness seriously. Even if making a tour isn’t your ultimate goal, treating golf like an athletic event will almost certainly help improve your game. While it’s tempting to pull up to the course, practice a few puts then head to the #1 tee box and swing full speed, a proper warmup is key to setting yourself up for success.

Stretch out your entire body. Roll your neck and shoulders, and take time to stretch hip flexors, quads and calves. If you have time to hit the driving range before your round, remember to start with wedges and low irons, work your way up to the middle irons, and take just a few shots with the woods and driver.