Golf Warm-Up Routine: Prepare to Play Your Best

Warming up is really important when it comes to playing any sport. To avoid injuries and shoot lower scores, you need a warm-up routine for golf. Otherwise, you will end up making the game even harder for yourself.

Thankfully, you don’t need plenty of time to warm up. Even a 30-minute warm-up session would be enough to get your body and mind ready for the game.

Warm Up for Golf

Warming up is crucial to avoid injuries in golf while shooting lower scores. A good warm-up should include a mix of stretching, driving range time, and spending time at the short game area.

It makes you much quicker, flexible while also improving the quality of your game by making your body loose and energetic from the very beginning.

There are a few warm-up strategies to get you ready for the real game. They are:

1. Stretch and Swing

Before grabbing a club and swinging, it’s best to stretch or get in a light workout. This helps in the blood circulation and loosening your body.

In case, you don’t have time for a 10-15 minutes workout, do some dynamic stretches in the parking lot.

You can also use a speed training warm-up protocol.

For example, something like the Stack System would help you loosen up and prepare for the range.

2. Head to the Putting Green First

If you haven’t played the golf course for a long time, putting green can turn out to be very crucial.

About 30-40% of all shots happen with your putter. Spend time learning the green speed and overall getting comfortable on the greens.

It’s best to practice from two specific distances; 3-5 feet and 30-40 footers as it boosts your confidence.

3. Hit the Driving Range

Hitting the driving range to get loosened up. Start slow and work your way up to full swings and longer clubs.

Here’s how to warm up on the driving range:

• Start with practice swings with the feet shoulder width apart while taking lighter swings.
• Start with short pitch shots and then into full wedges. Move on from wedges to short irons to mid-irons.
• Then move on to hybrids and fairway woods. Once, you’re loose, start hitting drivers.
• Always end the range sessions with the club and shit you’ll use on the first tee shot of the day.

4. Don’t Forget About the Short Game

Make sure to hit some chips and pitches once you are warmed up. You can do this before or after the range depending on where it’s located and how much time you have.

This helps with testing out how much spin you’ll get on the greens and if they are firm or soft. If they have a practice bunker, hit a few shots from there to test out the sand as well.

FAQ

1. How should I warm up before golf?

Incorporate static stretching, hitting balls at the driving range, and spending time pitching. Arrive 30-60 minutes prior to get yourself a good starting position on the first hole and get a pre-round warm-up

2. How long should I warm up before playing golf?

It totally depends on you. Every golfer is different. From PGA Tour Players who arrive 90-120 minutes prior which might be overkill for everyday golfers to golfers, I know personally who arrive 75 minutes prior to the competitive events, there’s no right or wrong time duration.

However, warming up for 30-60 minutes is considered ideal as this time ensures you are mentally prepared and would avoid golf injuries.

3. How do you warm up for your first tee shot?

I recommend preparing on the range for the first tee shot.

I say this because, let’s say for example, if you hit a 3-wood on the first tee shot, make sure you practice that on the driving range. The final shot you hit when leaving range must be your ideal first tee shot so you have good visual imagery.

My Experience 

When I am about to play a practice round or even a casual round, I try to get there 30-45 minutes before my tee time. This gives me enough time to use The Stack, hit balls, and spend some time in the short game area.

Whereas when I prepare for a golf tournament, I like my warm-up sessions to be longer and more in-depth.

Here’s how I prepare for events:

1. My warm-up sessions include light cardio, static stretching, and body weight workout.

2. I like to do simple body weight squats, dynamic stretching, jumping jacks, and traditional stretching to help avoid the risk of injuries.

3. I tend to arrive at the golf club 75 minutes prior. Then, I head to the putting green and work on 3-5 footers. Then, another 30-40 footers for about 20 minutes.

4. Then, I practice at the chipping green by hitting basic bumps and runs, pitch shots, and bunker shots for 15 minutes.

5. Then, I hit golf balls for about 30 minutes (wedges, irons, woods, and driver in that order). I don’t waste my time worrying about golf swing technique and instead try to get my lower body and upper body loose.

I recommend ending the session with the last shot being the club and shot while you want to hit off the first tee.

6. In the end, I like to spend five to seven minutes putting and going through my full pre-shot routine.

Conclusion

There is no one right way to warm up before your game. Try different exercises and see what works for you. While some golfers need more time stretching, others hit balls, and others on the putting green.

It’s also important to test out your time frame, for example, for amateur golfers 30 minutes might be plenty of time, whereas golfers who have been playing for a long time like to warm up for 60-75 minutes.

Regardless of the time duration and the exercises, make sure you have a warm-up routine. This not only helps you avoid injuries but also makes you more energetic and flexible.