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By Fred J. Fritchen, Head
Golf Professional, The Bull at Pinehurst Farms
It’s hard to tell by
looking outside these days but I’m told spring is coming!
Here are some
ideas to begin the 2008 season the right way:
10. Clear your Mind
– Forget about the bad shots that happened in 2007. It’s amazing to me
how people (mainly men) can forget to take out the trash, pick up
something from the store, or even anniversaries, but yet remember every
bad shot that they hit during a particular round of golf. Just remember
that when you tee up your first tee shot of 2008 that you haven’t hit a
bad shot yet this year and do what you can to keep it that way for as
long as possible.
9. Golf Simulator
– Golf Simulators, while not 100% accurate, are a fun way to play a
round of golf when the courses are closed. Simulators are getting
better but many still question their accuracy. While that may be true
it is a mute point for golf preparation and enjoyment. It’s a great way
to keep the swing going over the off-season and simulate your thinking
during a round of golf.
8. Schedule a golf
trip – Now this one doesn’t even need an explanation. It would just
be fun.
7. Prepare the Mental
Game – The mental side of the golf game is such a large part,
however tends to get overlooked once the weather is nice and the
opportunity to play golf is upon us. This makes the winter a great time
to grab a book or two and do some light reading. There are many great
books that have been written on the game of golf. Dr. Bob Rotella and
Dave Pelz write some of my personal favorites. Find a book that peaks
your interest and spend some time by the fire during the winter
months.
6. Watch the pros –
Golf Season has already begun on the PGA, Champions, and LPGA Tour.
Oh and if you haven’t noticed…. those guys are good!! A lot can be
learned by watching their tempo, the way they manage their game, and by
the way they approach their short game. Also during most tour events
the teachers give tips during television coverage. All of these are
easy ways to pick up a few helpful ideas during the off-season.
5. Play golf video
game – If you have children they probably are ahead of you in this
category. Playing a video game can actually help similar to the way it
can to watch the pros on television. Video games have become so
realistic that game management and tempo have become important to
success in the virtual world. Two of the top titles are Tiger Woods PGA
Tour and Links.
4. Attend a golf show
– The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Golf Plus Show just wrapped up. The
show boasts clinics, seminars, simulators, contests, and exhibitor
booths.
3. Heated driving
range or dome. – In this climate, Heated Driving Ranges or domed
hitting bays are a necessary amenity. Heated driving ranges have the
benefit of being outside (excluding the hitting bay) so that you can see
the actual ball flight. Domed hitting bays are approx. 80 yards in
length and sometimes are difficult to determine the shot shape. On mild
days a heated driving range will provide all the warmth necessary to
enjoy your time on the range and tune up the game. Colder days the
comfort of being indoors might make a trip to a Dome necessary. The
closest options can be found in Sheboygan (The Fieldhouse at South
Pier), Milwaukee and Green Bay.
2. Go for a walk or
jog – A commonly overlooked fact of golf is that there is a lot of
walking involved. Even if you take a cart when you golf, if you imagine
that you walk to every ball, walk from the cart to the green, and some
other places in between, it is not uncommon to walk more than 1-2 miles
during the course of 18 holes. If you are a walker you are looking at
nearly 5 – 6 miles before your day is done. It is important to keep
that stamina up over the winter months so that once you get on the golf
course you are not as affected by being out of shape.
1. Daily stretches
– The #1 thing people need to do over the off-season is to do a series
of stretches to maintain their flexibility and help to prevent injury
when the golf season begins. Golf requires the body to move in many
ways that are unique to only the golf swing and requires the use of many
muscles that are not generally used in daily activity. It is very
important to find exercises that work for you and perform them over the
winter months.
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