Ready, Set, Swing!

It is that time of year: it looks like spring, Masters weekend is here and unless you have been able to get away, you’ve had golf withdrawal during the long, snowy winter.
If you haven’t been able to get out on the greens yet, hopefully you will soon. But before you do, here are a couple of important things to think about.
All winter we have the opportunity to watch the pros play in beautiful, hot southern destinations. We watch the one putts, the perfect iron shots and, of course, the 300-yard drives. The pros have been swinging all year long and their bodies are accustomed to the movement of the golf swing. Hopefully you have been physically active over the winter and, most importantly, have done a lot of stretching. Stretching is the key to reducing the chance of injury while swinging the golf club. It also gives good range of motion during the swing and will provide the best opportunity to hit those “tour-like shots.” Check online for the best stretches to do for golf and do them several times a week after your muscles are warmed up, such as after a walk.
So now that you have stretched your muscles and joints, it is time to swing as hard as you can at the ball, right? I don’t think so. I know you are anxious to see that ball fly (using the driver, of course!), but let’s hold off for a while with the big stick. Make sure you get to a driving range a few times before you actually play so you can create what the pros call tempo. Tempo is defined as the time it takes to make a complete golf swing. Good tempo links all the parts of the swing together and creates great balance. It acts like glue, holding things together, allowing you to make smooth, effortless swings that result in good shots. Here is a drill to help you with your tempo.
At the driving range, warm up by hitting shots with your pitching wedge, half shots at first and then gradually work into a full swing. Feel your arms and body working together. Good tempo allows you to swing with your core, not your arms. Pick the next club in your bag, the 9-iron, and see if you can keep the same tempo. Now go through all the clubs in your bag trying to make the same swing with each one.
Repeat this drill until you can make the same swing with each club. Yes, your tempo with your sand wedge should be the same as your driver. Think and focus on achieving good tempo during every swing you take: putts, chips, sand shots, iron shots and the woods.
I recommend that all my students get PGA of Canada certified instruction early in the season. PGA of Canada professionals will help you get your golf season started on the right track and make 2015 your best year yet.