Warm Up Routine

Mister Sifter

I don't really have a set one as such. I generally just have a few putts then have a few swings to loosen up the arms and then bomb away down the first. Probably not ideal, particularly for competitions.

What does everyone else do?

HuntingDrog

good thread to start. i'd be interested in what everyone else does alright.

In the following order, I..........
-hit chips
-hit pitches
-hit wedges with a full swing @ 60% concentrating on full swing movement
-Hit a few 7 irons - fav club
-hit 2/3 with the club that u'd use on 1st tee visualising the 1st hole in minds eye
-go to putting green
-hit 3 flat 3-footers. repeat all again if one is missed
-hit 3 5 footers. repeat all again if one is missed
-hit 3 10 footers. repeat all again if one is missed
-visit toilet b4 i start:D

thats it. takes a while, i know but i find i'm sorted if i follow this

kagni

HuntingDrog wrote: »

-hit 3 10 footers. repeat all again if one is missed

Good routine, but if I tried it, this part would guarantee I missed my tee time!

WHIP IT!

kagni wrote: »

Good routine, but if I tried it, this part would guarantee I missed my tee time!

Glad you said it! The lads would be waitin on the first tee "C'mon WHIP for f*ck sake..."

"Hang on, be there in a minute... One... Two... Ah B*llox! One... Two... Ah B*llox!"

ShriekingSheet

I keep my routine quite flexible and focus as much on getting myself in the frame of mind, as well as the physical condition to score well.

As I often mention in the "joining a club" type threads, it's good to be in a club you like to arrive at early, get a coffee, chat to other members and the pros as well as having the facilities there to hit balls before heading to the first tee. It's all part of the game IMO and I certainly count it as part of my routine. Sometimes it's just not possible to be early as you may be leaving work etc but for competitive golf at the weekend, I like to get up to the course 45-60 mins in advance of my tee time.

I'll usually start by heading to the range, go through a few stretches and clip maybe 10 wedges before slowly moving up toward the longer end of the bag. I'll finish with one or two more wedges and always on a good strike! I try to keep all this to a max of 25 balls.

Then I'll chip and putt. I find hitting loads of putts before a round on my home course isn't a great idea. When playing away I'll spend a bit more time.

The main thing for me is leaving ample time for all this so you can just cruise in, get a coffee, hit a few balls and stroll to the first tee. For me, that's the kind of pre-game that gives you a good chance of playing well.

Mister Sifter

It's strange, but i find i played pretty much all my best golf early this year. Any good score came where i got up, dressed, ate breakfast while driving to the course, arrived 5-10 mins before, clocked in and hit 3-4 putts before running to the first tee. Yet whenever i do things 'as they should be done' i tend to play poorly.

I often wonder whether this is because playing early means i've no time to worry/think about the round ahead.

ShriekingSheet

Graeme1982 wrote: »

It's strange, but i find i played pretty much all my best golf early this year. Any good score came where i got up, dressed, ate breakfast while driving to the course, arrived 5-10 mins before, clocked in and hit 3-4 putts before running to the first tee. Yet whenever i do things 'as they should be done' i tend to play poorly.

I often wonder whether this is because playing early means i've no time to worry/think about the round ahead.

Mwah ha haw - one of my favorite theories!

I used to have very similar experiences when I used to play more competitively. Some days nearly missing my tee time, not having any practice putts or swings and playing well, and on the days I spend 40 mins warming up, playing toxic stuff altogether.

I've since decided (and I can only speak for myself) the difference is expectation. We all know that a competitor in any sport can often excel when they are expected or expect themselves to struggle. Not warming up etc often reduces the expectations you have for yourself that day - it's almost like an under-dog mentality.

Then the days you do the PGA-approved warm up yes, you tee it up on the first in peak physical condition BUT also with peak expectations.


This is cetainly the case with myself. I'm not going to say it's the same for everyone. Anyway, the conclusion I've come to and what really has worked for me is to do a proper warm up but also to really make sure I "leave my expectations on the practice tee", as per Doc BR. Even if you read what I wrote in my initial post - it's all about getting in the frame of mind to score. At our age (assuming you were born in 1982, as I was) physical warm up for golf is a pretty minor process. It's not easily done, not caring what you shoot. But like anything in golf, you just need to work on it.

HuntingDrog

yeah, i'd second a lot of what SS says there.makes complete sense.

One other thing I find is a benefit of having a planned routine, its that it gets u into the frame of mind that u've prepared yourself as well as u can. Therefore, you'll be calmer getting onto that "dreaded" first tee. If I'm calm and relaxed, i find i play my best golf. If i'm calm and loose, i also tend to swing fluidly (smooth and easy).

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

JCDUB

HuntingDrog wrote: »

good thread to start. i'd be interested in what everyone else does alright.

In the following order, I..........
-hit chips
-hit pitches
-hit wedges with a full swing @ 60% concentrating on full swing movement
-Hit a few 7 irons - fav club
-hit 2/3 with the club that u'd use on 1st tee visualising the 1st hole in minds eye
-go to putting green
-hit 3 flat 3-footers. repeat all again if one is missed
-hit 3 5 footers. repeat all again if one is missed
-hit 3 10 footers. repeat all again if one is missed
-visit toilet b4 i start:D
thats it. takes a while, i know but i find i'm sorted if i follow this

Good Jesus Hunting with that routine I'd expect you to be off very low single figures.Talk about meticulous!Suppose whatever works for you..
You obviously have plenty of time on your hands!:D

For me it's a few practice swings to loosen up and that's it.
If I'm playing away I'll practice putts but at home I don't as the practice green is never the same pace as the other 18 and it just puts me off.

Myksyk

I think a warm up routine is crucial but rarely get to do the one I want. Our club doesn't have a range or nets unfortunately. I use the Dromoland Golf Academy a lot and you can see the significant difference in the way you're swinging and striking after about 30balls. Unfortunately if you've no access then those first 30 shots are on the course in the middle of your game and you've suffered because of it. I tend to play very early in the morning so can't get to the academy before that but when I have managed to I have played better.

ShriekingSheet

Myksyk wrote: »

I think a warm up routine is crucial but rarely get to do the one I want. Our club doesn't have a range or nets unfortunately. I use the Dromoland Golf Academy a lot and you can see the significant difference in the way you're swinging and striking after about 30balls. Unfortunately if you've no access then those first 30 shots are on the course in the middle of your game and you've suffered because of it. I tend to play very early in the morning so can't get to the academy before that but when I have managed to I have played better.

There's a really good simple little gadget that can be great to have in such situations. It's a velcro weight that straps onto your iron head and really gets your muscles going before a round.

Myksyk

Yes, have one and find it good. At the very least I'll do good stretches at home, swing the club at home as often as I can (benefit of high ceilings and no dangly light fittings) and do some putting just for the mechanics. I live 300 yards from the first tee so at least this warm up won't be undone travelling to the course. If possible I will try to get 10 minutes on the practice green. Intend making a bigger effort next season.