No warm up

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By PAR_LOW_GOLFS

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  1. PAR_LOW_GOLFS

    PAR_LOW_GOLFS
    WELLINGTON, FL

    Okay, so I get a chance to sneak out (as a single) for 18 before a large number of foursomes. Of course the Marshall says, "but you gotta' go off right now". Great, no warm up. So naturally I had a horrendous first five holes because I had no swing rhythm. Anyone with advice on how to start off (without a warm-up) and avoid the perils of latent swing rhythm?

  2. Hotsauce

    Hotsauce
    Georgetown MA

    Oh I know the feeling.  I'm often going trunk to tee.  My suggestion is (if you can)- take (3-5) easy rhythmic swings while visualizing your best tee shot, then two full practice swings at nearly 100%, and then just relax and try to hit one at 75%.  It's no big deal if you lose a little distance to find the fairway. 

    I'd also suggest avoiding a club you struggle with.  For instance, I absolutely stripe my hybrid, but my 3 and 1 wood can be a little shaky.  I get my hybrid out there about 210, and honestly I'd rather hit that from the tee and then again from the fairway if I haven't had a time to warm up.  It's better than having to dig a ball out of the rough for your second shot of the day, or even worse, having to dig a new ball out of the bag.  

    After you finish the 1st hole, you'll probably have some time to warm up a bit more.  I roll a few putts on the green while the foursome behind me is catching up to their tee shots.  Usually by the 2nd or third hole I'm in the groove.

    Another cool thing is the birdie ball.  It's like a whiffle ball but way better.  It actually curves and flies like a golf ball, but it carries less distance.  You could always crack a few of those out there, and then hit your tee shot.  They don't go more than 40-50 yards with a full 7 iron, and you'll know when you hit them well.

  3. PAR_LOW_GOLFS

    PAR_LOW_GOLFS
    WELLINGTON, FL

    Thanks Josh, I'll keep these tips in mind.

  4. SD_Golfer

    SD_Golfer
    Aberdeen, SD

    A quick warm up I find to be helpful is to grab your driver, make a full backswing and hold it a second or two, then make a full follow through and hold it for a second or two ... it isn't perfect, but it does help a bit with stretching.

  5. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    I find that if I can't warm up properly,  I can take my 6 and 7 irons and make 8 or 9 75% swings.  This gets me pretty loose fairly quickly. 

  6. PAR_LOW_GOLFS

    PAR_LOW_GOLFS
    WELLINGTON, FL

    Hey Paul, thanks this is a good idea...will definitely give it a try.

  7. pulplvr

    pulplvr
    Spring, TX

    Military

    I, too, have often gone straight from the trunk to the tee.  Stretching usually helps, as does chipping around the 1st green or rolling a few extra putts, both if time permits without holding up other players.  I use the cart--if using one--to stretch out my upper back and legs, rock from side to side, and stretch out my inner legs on both sides.  Taking easier swings is also of prime importance.  Your body is just not ready for all out moves through the ball if you haven't warmed up at all.  I try to use amore club and swing easy, keep the ball in play, and avoid big numbers on the first couple of holes.  Then you can pick up the pace and swing speed as you loosen over the next few holes. 

  8. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Besides taking some stretches prior to each shot, work on tempo and try to use 80% of swing speed until you get rolling. Have a solid pre-swing routine and take an extra swing at the 80% tempo.
  9. Jesse P

    Jesse P
    Lenexa, KS

    Listen to Don.  Tempo, tempo, tempo.  My tendency is to get quick and I use this little tip when I cannot warm up and if I start getting quick out on the course.  

    Tip:

    I say in my head the name FC.  Reciting FC on my back swing ending at the top and FC on my down swing ending at follow through.  It really helps me obtain the tempo that allows me to hit good clean shots.  Do this on the tee during practice shots and even at address when you actually execute the shot.

    "FC".  80% of the time, it works all the time.  :) 

  10. Scott M

    Scott M
    Birdsboro, PA

    Great Topic here! I agree that a quick stretch is the way to go and then choke up a little and make a 3/4 swing to try and punch one out in the short grass. It's so tough not being able to hit a few balls before a round. I played this weekend and doubled the first two holes after jumping on the tee cold. It's so aggravating but something I've come to accept when I play a course with no range (gasp!). I go on a golf trip with buddies every year and I get up earlier than anyone and walk over to the range to hit balls before they're even up. They all give me a hard time and think I'm crazy but then again, they also help subsidize my trip with the on course gambling!
  11. Bob K

    Bob K
    Friendswood, TX

    Jumping onto the box ice cold is how I end up playing more than half the time, unfortunately.  Even 1-2 minutes of dynamic stretching (swinging a club & getting my heart rate up) makes a world of difference.  I always walk, and usually by the time I've walked through the first hole I'm pretty good to go. 

    FWIW....Swinging a weighted club throws me off and seems to do more harm than good.

  12. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    On those occasions when I have to go straight to the first tee I do a few simple stretches (back, shoulders and forearms/wrists) and then a few easy swings with my 54 and 58 degree wedges (exaggerate backswing and follow through for stretching).  Swinging my wedges together also produces a nice rhythmic swing (can't swing as fast with all the added weight).  Overall, it takes about five minutes and it really helps me with loosing up and producing a fairly rhythmic swing to start.

    Barry

  13. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    What I do is go to the park near my house with a 58* wedge and do half and full swing pitches and then full golf swings.  Takes about 10 minutes.  Then I head to the course.  What is nice about this is you can go out at 0 dark 30 if the park has floodlights on.

    I found that hitting a bucket of balls before a round can sometimes do more harm than good.

  14. Dallin H

    Dallin H
    Arlington, TX

    I have a net in my garage and a huge hitting mat I picked up from an Edwin Watts store closing.  I always try to hit a few balls in the garage in case I don't have time to warm up.

  15. John L

    John L
    Dewey, OK

    Play for par. Consider the fact that you probably wont birdie the first three and play irons/hybrids off the box. make conservative decisions. after about three you should be warmed up and can play the rest of the round normal. Josh had alot of great advice i cant really add much.

    cheers greens and fairways to all

    Simba

  16. James B

    James B
    San Antonio, TX

    I have that happen a lot since I play as a single walk on. I avoid the driver off the first few tee's and use my hybrids a lot.

  17. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    Take a mulligan off the first tee and play your best ball. Matter of fact take several if needed. If the Marshall says anything tell him the first ball you hit is unplayable and smile and go on. You are playing by yourself so no big deal. Have fun.

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