Course Management · Tip
Warm Up to Get Ready, Not to Fix
Part of our course management programs. Build a program with it
Many golfers rip drivers before a round, hoping their swing shows up. That rarely helps. Your warm-up is about getting ready. Not finding a miracle. Start small. Wedges and half swings. Think about tempo and solid contact. Then move to longer clubs in order. Check ball flight and timing, not perfection. End with your opening tee shot club.
Step by step
- Start with wedges and half swings.
- Focus on tempo and contact.
- Work up through the bag.
- Check flight, not perfection.
- Finish with your first-tee club.
Why it works
Your muscles and joints need a gradual increase in speed and range, so small swings with wedges prepare your body better than full swings with the driver. Short swings let you find the center of the face and a steady rhythm before the demands rise. Working up through the bag in order keeps that rhythm as the club gets longer. Finishing with your first-tee club means the last swing you rehearse is the one you will make first.
Common mistakes
- You start with the driver and swing hard right away.Begin with a wedge and half swings, and add length and speed only after your contact is solid.
- You try to rebuild your swing during the warm-up.Pick one simple focus, such as tempo or contact, and leave technical changes for another practice session.
- You keep hitting balls until one feels perfect.Stop when your ball flight and timing are fairly consistent, and then move to the next club.
How you'll know it's working
- Your wedge shots start on line and land close to the same distance.
- You strike the center of the face on most swings, and the sound is steady.
- Your tempo feels the same from the wedge through to your first-tee club.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Hit only five or six balls with each club and keep every swing at half length until the contact feels steady.
Harder: Pick a specific target for each shot and treat every ball as if it were on the course, finishing with a full routine for your first-tee club.
Common questions
How long should I warm up before a round of golf?
About 15 minutes is enough for most golfers if you use it well. Spend it moving from wedges up to your first-tee club, not hitting as many balls as possible.
Should I hit driver on the range before playing?
Only at the end, and only if you plan to use it on the first tee. Hit it after your shorter clubs so your body and timing are already ready.
