Five Essential Golf Warm Up Tips Before You Tee Off

Warming up for a round of golf is an essential part of your golf game. Do not brush it off or ignore it. Professional golfers devote time to warming up before actually beginning their tournament play. Just like any other sport, you need to prepare for your golf game by properly warming up your body, both physically and mentally. Here are a few tips and techniques that will help you establish and maintain a warm-up routine before your round of golf.

Get to the Golf Course Early:

Getting to the golf course early is the first step to warming up for a round of golf. By getting to the course early you have time to get your course pass, golf cart and any other golf supplies and tasks without feeling rushed or you have forgotten something. It is important to get all these basic necessities out of the way before properly warming up for a round of golf.

Light Golf Stretches to get your Body in rhythm:

Properly stretching is very important when warming up for a round of golf. Even some light stretches will help release any tension in your muscles and make your swings much more fluid and consistent. Hold your golf club on each end, place it over your head and on your shoulders, assume your swing stance and lightly rotate your body back and through the "ball." Next, use your pitching wedge and make a few light swings, not power swings, visualizing your swing rotation. These basic tips will get you into the rhythm of your golf swing as well as limit the chances of having an injury during your full power swing on the course.

Short to Long Golf Practice Shots:

While on the practice range start with your pitching or sand wedge and move up through your irons, using your driver last. Depending on how much time you have, skip a club or two along the way, but always start with your short clubs and move on to your driver. Aim to get at least five practice swings for each club you use. This should give your body a chance to warm up to the full power swing of your driver.

Green Sessions - Chipping:

Take the time to practice your green. This alone will save you a few strokes along the way. Start off by practicing greenside chipping. Use your pitching wedge or sand wedge as well as your 7 or 8 irons to see how fast the green runs. Try to make your chips at least within 3 to 5 feet from the hole. During this time remember the rhythm of your short swings and stance you took to make those short chips onto the green. These chips may seem simple, but often times they cause havoc on the golf course, so it is good to be prepared.

Green Sessions - Putting:

Practice your short putts within the 3 to 5 feet range. These short putts are where many golfers, including professionals, get the yips - that shakiness and nervous feeling that often results in bogey scores. Making these putts will not only improve your score but your confidence on the next tee and throughout the game. So again take the time to practice your green and get comfortable before your round of golf.

During your warm up at the practice range it is good to visualize your shots as if you were playing your round of golf. If you have played the course before, visualize some of your past troubles and practice those specific golf shots. Doing this will prepare you mentally for your round of golf and give you more confidence on your approach to these difficult lies.

With the golf season in full swing, establishing and maintaining a warm-up routine before your round of golf will go a long way at improving your consistency and your confidence during play. Do not start your round of golf without warming up, especially if its early in the season or you are just getting out to play. Unless you practice indoors throughout the winter season, or are one of the lucky ones to play golf year-round, then take the time to do a good warm-up routine before your round of golf. The last thing you need is an injury or a faulty swing that will nag you throughout your golf season.