When it’s time to warm up, some golfers think they need to hit the
driving range with everything they’ve got. In truth, warming up to
make your game as effective as it can be means that you work on a
variety of swings and become familiar with the conditions.
For example, you golf differently on a windy day than if the air is still.
You probably play at least a bit different on days when the
temperature is raging than when it’s cool. Here are some tips from
those who hit the courses on a regular basis.
Driving is a good way to start, but start slowly. Choose a short iron for
your first few drives, giving your muscles a chance to loosen up and to
get the feel for the day. Work up to longer drives, but remember that
the goal isn’t only to see how far the ball will go – control is more
important than distance and this is your chance to gather your skills to
exercise that control.
Don’t just drive. Some people make the mistake of thinking they’ve
completed an adequate warm up once they’ve managed to make a few
successful drives. Take time for some chipping and putting as well.
Make the most of your swing and any recent lessons you’ve had.
Remember that a round of golf is much more than teeing off.
One of the most important warm up tips is to get your mood and
emotions under control. Smacking your frustrations out on a golf ball
probably isn’t going to help your game at all – though it might
arguably be good for your frustrations. Take time to gather your calm,
focus on your game and let the day’s troubles fall away. Your mood –
especially if it’s a bad mood – can greatly impact your game.
Another mistake many people make at the warm up session is to start
practicing. This isn’t the time to try out new clubs, new swings, or new
information. This is a time to play your best game, just as you’ll be
doing shortly – at the first tee. It’s okay to put in a few practice swings
if you’re working on something you want to put into play for this
game, but don’t get caught up in a practice session. One of the
purposes of a warm up time is to build your confidence. You can’t do
that if you’re continually making errors. Use the techniques you’re
most familiar with and be ready to congratulate yourself on all your
successes during the warm up.
If you are doubtful about the need for a good warm up period, just
think back to a recent game of golf that you didn’t warm up for. How
was your first tee? How was the fourth? Did you spend the rest of the
game making up for some poor strokes early on? The warm up is a
chance to make those mistakes before they’re being engraved on a
score card. Take time to make yourself confident and you’ll play a
confident game.
The 10 Commandments of Golf Etiquette
Even if you are not a golf pro, being on your best behavior on the
course will make you shine like a true sports star. As with any sport, there are a few rules of etiquette golfers should follow.
Rule Number One:
Be on time. Most courses require tee time appointments. Make sure to
arrive at the course about 30 minutes before your tee off. This will
give you time to park, get your clubs, take care of cart rental and
warm up.
Rule Number Two:
Obey the dress code. If you don’t know the dress code, make a phone
call and ask. Some courses prohibit jeans. Some forbid shorts. Some
require golf shoes without spikes. If you carry a cell phone, ask if they
are allowed before you hit the course. While it is easy enough to
change your ringer to silent or vibrate, answering your cell phone still
requires you to talk – in some cases loudly. Leave it behind if you can.
Rule Number Three:
Set an order of play before you begin. Use the old coin toss method or
simply decide, but have a plan.
Rule Number Four:
Be quiet and still when a golfer in your group in a group that is very
close by is preparing to hit, especially when they are putting. Don’t
cloud the golfer’s line of vision.
Rule Number Five:
Watch where you hit! Don’t swing if you run the risk of hitting a fellow
golfer with an erratic ball. Likewise, don’t hit until you know your ball
won’t drop down into the group playing in front of you. While you may
think it’s common sense that players won’t stand directly behind you
when you’re preparing to swing, check – just to be sure.
Rule Number Six:
Be protective. Protect the greens by replacing your divots and
repairing all ball marks. Don’t disturb sand traps any more than
necessary and remember to rake them smooth before you leave.
Here’s another tip: exit a sand trap on the shallow side to avoid
creating more damage to the trap.
Rule Number Seven:
Follow cart rules. If you are driving a cart, know the rules for the
course. Carts may be prohibited on wet, rainy days. Some courses
require carts to stay on designated paths. Always keep your cart a
good distance from greens and tees and never park in another golfer’s
way.
Rule Number Eight:
No matter what movies or television shows portray, business deals are
rarely cinched on the golf course. It’s not easy to talk business on the
course because the game requires concentration. Don’t break a
golfer’s concentration on the game by trying to secure a business deal.
In another matter, it is recommended that any betting on the game of
golf be kept nominal, or as a “friendly” bet. Anything larger creates
stress and animosity – which is far against the goal of the game.
Rule Number Nine:
Here’s a tip: Tip. If you are using a caddy or assistant offered by the
course, remember to tip. Ask a “regular” at the course what the norm
is and tip that amount.
Rule Number Ten:
Have fun and enjoy the sport!
The 7-Wood - The Best Field Wood
Of all the clubs in your golf bad, you
may have overlooked the potential for
the seven-wood. There are those who
believe the seven-wood is the best field
wood in a golfer’s bag.
There are golfers who may not agree
with this statement, but that’s a matter
of opinion. The seven-wood is as close
to a perfect field wood as a golfer can have in his or her bag. This is
because the seven-wood swings as easily as a six-iron, but gives the
golfer more distance and accuracy.
Depending on the physical strength of a golfer, the seven-wood is a
great club from about two hundred and twenty five yards in. First off,
it is easy to get under the ball and get the necessary elevation to
move the ball toward the green, which is where all golfers want to be
in as few strokes as possible. Now, should a golfer have a seven-wood
with a graphite shaft the golfer will have a better feel of the ball as
compared to a metal shaft. The graphite makes the club more flexible
and gives the ball a little extra lift upon impact.
Another great thing about the seven-wood is it is a near perfect club
on a long par 3 or a short par 4 hole. Let’s say a golfer is looking at a
one hundred and eighty yard par 3. Sure, he or she could grab a three
or four iron out of the bag and make the drive, and make a good drive.
But, by taking the seven-wood out of the bag, the golfer has given him
or herself a little something extra. He or she can tee the ball a little
higher than he or she could by using an iron. This will help him or her
get the ball up in the air faster and headed toward the green,
especially if the drive is made with the ball slightly toward the back of
the golfer’s stance. This also reduces the power of the swing, so the drive won’t fly the green, which is hitting the ball over the back of the
green.
And, by making a slight alteration in his or her stance when the field,
the seven-wood can help get around or over an obstacle. Say the
golfer is about one hundred and sixty five yards out and has a tree
about ten yards away, directly in front of him or her. By opening the
stance a little and changing the position of the hips, the golfer can
slice or hook the ball around the tree, but not have such an arc as to
take the ball out of play. This type of shot still allows the golfer to get
all the power he or she ordinarily would with his or her seven-wood,
along with the elevation he or she expects, But without the negative
consequences.
This particular shot, though, should be practiced on the driving range
with the seven-wood long before the golfer attempts to make it on the
course.