I’m doing something a bit different this week for The Bag Drop (don’t worry, we’ll get back to introducing you to new clubs next week!) and instead focusing on a great event that is coming up for those of us who live in the northern part of the United States.
That’s right, golf season is right around the corner. And it couldn’t have come at a better time for those of us who’s cabin fever is driving them (and our spouses) nuts. George highlighted a few items last week and that got me thinking about what I need to do in order to hit the ground running for the fast approaching golf season.
Hopefully some of the items below will help you out a little bit in getting ready or serve as a reminder that you should start preparing today.
Getting Fit
Quick show of hands; how many of you have been diligently working out over the winter in anticipation of the upcoming golf season? Yeah, neither did I. Too many commitments and not enough time. Well, that is just an excuse and I’m calling myself out on the carpet on that one.
To make up for that lost time, I’ve started to incorporate some cardio and stretching into my daily routine as the last thing I want is an injury to drag me down at the beginning of the year. Better late then never I guess. The plus side is I feel I have more energy throughout the day which will come in handy for those warm summer days of playing 36.
One of the sites I’ve used in the past to get some ideas is mytpi.com. There you can find a bunch of different exercises and stretches that don’t involve going to a gym or buying fancy equipment to take up space in your basement.
Getting Fit Part II
Not only is getting physically fit important for the upcoming golf season but so is making sure your clubs are fit as well. For those lucky ones who got new clubs over the winter, did you get them fitted based upon your body and swing characteristics or did you just buy them off the rack? Hopefully you spent some time getting them fitted for you.
To take some of the mystery of what goes into a club fitting, we covered the topic in quite a bit of detail here and here. And for those of you who like to get even more technical in your club fitting, we have a few more articles you can check out here and here.
The PGA of America is also giving you some incentive to get some fitted clubs by it’s Free Fitting and Trade-Up promotion coming up in April. Lastly, check and replace any worn out grips. Worn out and slippery grips only add tension to your golf swing. Golf is tough enough, don’t make it harder by having some ill-fitting equipment.
Mentally Fit
Bobby Jones said it best; “Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course, the space between your ears.” While we may not be playing on any official tour or in tournament play, we are playing against ourselves and whatever course you happen to be playing that day. So what have you done to get yourself mentally ready?
Prior to each golf season, I usually hit a few chapters that I’ve marked from some books that I’ve enjoyed in the past including, “Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect” by Bob Rotella, Harvey Penick’s “Little Red Book” and “Fearless Golf” by Dr. Gio Valiante. We featured Dr. Valiante in an interview some time ago and he provides some good information on getting over one’s playing with fear.
I’ve almost finished “Extraordinary Golf” by Fred Shoemaker (whom I heard about after reading one of my favorite golf sites) and he has some ideas which are a bit of a radical departure from other books I’ve read. I won’t go into too much detail as you should really read the book for yourself but it’s been pretty insightful thus far.
The Toys Have Arrived
We’ve introduced quite a bit of golf equipment the last couple of months at The Bag Drop and now those clubs are showing up a golf retailer nearest you. While seeing pictures and writing about them is fun, it’s just not the same as being able to hold, swing or putt with them. Needless to say, I’ve now started to spend way too much time visiting my usual equipment haunts looking at and trying out the new toys.
I’m looking forward to checking out the AP line from Titleist, Scotty Cameron’s new Studio Select putters in addition to products from Mizuno, Adams Golf and Tour Edge. Throw in TaylorMade’s new ball and needless to say, I’m pretty excited. I’m not sure what (if anything) will kick out the current equipment in my bag but I’ll certainly enjoy trying them all out.
In the End
Yes, I know there are a number of you who get to play golf year around and I loathe, I mean envy you. For those of you who are stuck in cold weather climates like me, what have you done to get yourself ready for this upcoming golf season and what did you do over the winter to keep your sanity? Also, what new clubs or other golf equipment are you looking forward to trying out?
Now let’s all hope we don’t get snow dumped on us in April.