Every golfer knows the feeling—arriving at the course, rushing to hit a few balls, and heading straight to the first tee. But if you’re serious about improving your game, your warm-up routine needs more attention. A proper warm-up not only prepares your body but also sharpens your mind, setting the tone for the round ahead.
In this post, I’ll break down how to structure your pre-round routine like a tour pro to maximize performance and avoid those sluggish starts.
1. Arrive Early and Set the Tone
Tour pros typically arrive at least 60-90 minutes before their tee time. This gives them plenty of time to ease into their routine without rushing. Aim to arrive at least 45 minutes early to create a calm, focused atmosphere.
Pro Tip: Start by checking in, stretching, and mentally visualizing your round.
2. Start with Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic stretches warm up your muscles and joints, increasing mobility and reducing injury risk. Focus on exercises that engage your core, hips, and shoulders—key areas for your swing.
Warm-Up Ideas:
Torso rotations
Leg swings
Arm circles
Body weight squats
3. Focus on Short Game First
Begin your practice with chipping and putting. This builds confidence and fine-tunes your touch around the greens—where most strokes are gained or lost.
Routine:
5 minutes of practing your set up
5-10 minutes of lag putting (10-20-30-40 feet)
5 minutes of short putts (inside 6 feet)
Chip from different lies and focus on landing spots
4. Dial in Your Ball-Striking
Head to the range and work your way through the bag, starting with wedges and gradually moving to longer clubs. Focus on rhythm and tempo rather than hitting as many balls as possible.
Range Breakdown (15-20 minutes):
10 shots with a wedge
8 shots with an iron (7 or 8)
5 shots with a hybrid or fairway wood
5 drives to finish
Key Tip: Visualize actual holes as you hit shots to make the warm-up more game-like.
5. End with Confidence
Finish your warm-up with your first shot on the first tee visualizing and executing the shot flawlessly on the range. Then hit a few short putts to lock in your confidence before heading to the first tee. Visualize sinking a birdie putt on the opening hole.
Why This Works
A structured warm-up routine prepares your body, sharpens your focus, and allows you to start your round with confidence. Tour pros don’t leave their performance to chance—and neither should you.
Ready to elevate your pre-round routine? Book a session with me at www.ericjmacdonaldpga.com and let’s craft a warm-up tailored to your game.
Start strong, finish stronger!
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