Your Comprehensive Guide and Golf Checklist to an Ace Golf Season
The weather is finally starting to swing in your favour, and it is time to enjoy the sunshine once again as the best season of the year arrives! No, not summer – golf season!
And because preparation is key, we’ve created the ultimate pre-season golf checklist so that you’re 100% prepared and ready to play your favourite game in the sun somewhere amazing.
Get Your Body in Check
Golf is an activity that can be taxing on the hips, pelvis and upper back as well as other areas, so it’s important to keep working out to stay fit, even when it’s off season.
These are the four most important parts of the body to work on and how you can implement them into your workout routine:
The Upper Body: with bicep curls and push-ups.
The Lower Body: wall sitting for 30-60 seconds at a time.
Core: stomach crunches and leg lifts.
You’re also going to want to work on your flexibility, so stretching on a daily basis is key to avoiding injuries and aching muscles.
Keep Practicing
Even when the weather makes a turn for the worse, you’re going to have to make sure you’re still practicing. Luckily, it’s easy to do so without leaving your home.
Start off by putting in your house or office, which is an important element of the game. Then, if space allows, you could implement a dome or an indoor net that allows you to practice your short game.
Invest in Excellent Golf Clothes and Accessories
If you’re an avid golf player, you have probably already invested in golf clothes and shoes of excellent quality. If not, we strongly suggest spending that extra bit of money for your attire so that you not only feel comfortable but also look presentable.
Additionally, you’re going to want to plan your attire based on the weather. If your chosen golf holiday location is prone to wind, prepare a windbreaker. For those chilly days, a pair of hand warmers and a beanie. And when it rains, you’ll definitely need waterproof outerwear and an umbrella.
Having the right attire, of course, applies for all kinds of weather fluctuations, including summer. When the sun shines – sun cream, a hat, and sunglasses is paramount.
Lastly, when it comes to waterproof shoes, the longest guarantee is around two years. So if you’re hoping to sport the same pair as last season, it’s probably for the best that you invest in a new pair.
A tip to make your shoes last longer? Buy two pairs and alternate between the two during golf season.
Maintaining your Golf Equipment
Bear in mind that your grip should be replaced after every 30 – 40 rounds of golf. If you’re playing a round with a worn out grip, it will not only make you feel uncomfortable, but it’ll also cause inconsistency and even penalties when it comes to your stroke.
Also, make sure that your shafts and grooves are in good condition.
Time for New Golf Equipment?
If you feel that your golfing equipment has run its course, or perhaps you’re looking for an upgrade, the best thing to do is to get your new items fitted by a professional. Again, you’re going to want to spend that extra bit of cash now as opposed to buying what’s on sale every season.
Use a bucket and fill it with a mixture of mild dish washing soap and warm water. Add your club heads so that they are completely covered in the water and leave them for a few minutes. Use a soft bristle brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the grooves, then rinse the head with clean water. Dry with a soft towel.
Treated almost the same as irons, make sure that your metal woods are only dipped into the water/dish washing liquid mixture for a second. Metal woods should never be soaked. Then, dry with a damp cloth. Again, you can use a device to scrub the grooves.
These are very delicate and should only be washed with water and dried with a cloth. Then, use a good quality wax to polish your graphite shafts.
Added tip: graphite shafts should be given an immense amount of care. If you spot any dents in the outer coat, it should be replaced as not to cause any injuries.
To keep a good grip, wet it then add a touch of hand soap. Scrub the grips with an old toothbrush, rinse with water, and dry.
Accountability and Progress
For many, bringing along or making new friends at the golf course is a regular occurrence. And that’s not only great for your social life, but also an excellent way in which to remain accountable.
Create a WhatsApp group or meet regularly to practice and talk about your progress, so that you can watch your and your buddy’s skills get better over time.
Research Golf Holidays
Have you decided where you’ll be going golf season? Research is key! Try to make a list of the things that are desirable to you in terms of a golf course, weather, and other activities, then find a location that best suits you.
It’ll also be extremely beneficial for you to find holiday golf resorts that offer golf transfers. This is because, if you’ve ever travelled with your equipment, you’ll know that it can be quite a nightmare.
Traveling with Golf Clubs
When traveling, you have one of two options. You could either hire clubs at your golf resort or you could bring yours along with you. If you’re planning for the latter, then here are several tips on how to travel with golf clubs:
- Check your airline to see if there are any additional fees attached to bringing your golf clubs.
- Be sure to get travel insurance (or better yet, travel insurance for golf holidays) so that, should something go missing or damaged, you’re covered.
- Try to book a non-stop flight, as it minimises the risk of damage while in transit.
- Choose a sturdy golf bag to reduce the chance of damage, and add towels in between your irons and wedges for extra padding. Woods should always have head covers.
- Consider a shipping service that can transport your golf equipment for you, so that you don’t need to travel with them yourself.
An Additional Helpful Tip for Golf Season
If you’ve chosen to go on a golf holiday and it’s your first time playing there, a handy tip would be to use a GPS-tracking watch. Even better, would be to consider a GPS-tracking watch made especially for golfers.
Depending on which GPS-tracking watch you choose, it can help you in a number of ways:
- It’ll help you to navigate a new course
- It’ll help you find your distance to the green
- It’ll track your shots
- It’ll track the distances off the tee
- It’ll track your steps
- It’ll track the speed at various points in your swing
- It’ll track your performance over time
And there you have it! A comprehensive golf checklist and everything you need to know about preparing for golf season! Hopefully you’ll be graced with excellent weather and an even better swing!