The golf season is quickly coming to an end here in the valley of the sun. Unless, of course, you are one of the crazies who want to be out in the 100-degree weather.
What are you doing to prepare yourself for the next golf season?
Most golfers do not realize the most important part of improving their golf game is the off-season plan. How often do you see a PGA tour player significantly improve during the tour season? Most of them come back between seasons with their increased clubhead speed, hitting greens consistently with their wedges, and improving their pace while putting.
Want to prepare your golf game for your next season? Make sure you follow these key principles:
5 Ways to Prepare Your Golf Game for Next Golf Season
1) Take A Break In The Golf Season
This cannot be overstated. Your body is going to need a break from the long golf season we have in Arizona. Playing with friends, in tournaments, and hitting the driving range 3-5 times a week for 6 months out of the year is taxing on your body. This is especially true of the amateur golfers. Let’s face it, you are likely not a PGA tour professional. There is a reason why we have an elite level of golf. Those players have a different genetic makeup and goals compared to the amateur golfer.
2) Find Your Weakness
If you genuinely want to improve your golf game, you should know the areas you need the most improvement in. The first suggestion is to find a coach you can trust. All the greats have had a coach, why should you be any different? Do you think Michael Jordan would have been as good as he was without the help and guidance of Phil Jackson? Would Tom Brady had become one of the great QB’s of all time and have all of those championships without Bill Belichick? It is important to have another view of how you are performing, rather than your biased opinion.
3) Make A Plan
Once you find your weakness, you need a plan to attack it. I am talking about specific and measurable goals. If you do not have a plan with goals, how will you know if your off-season training program was a success? This plan has to be well thought out. For example, if you are trying to increase your clubhead speed to get more distance, how would you go about doing that? You would start by increasing your mobility and flexibility to allow you to get to the best position for your swing. Then, you would increase your baseline strength. Finally, you would increase your power within the new motion and using the new strength gains.
4) Focus on Golf Fitness, Not Toys
For the amateur, golf equipment will not make the biggest change. The biggest tool gofers have is their body. Yet, most would like to neglect that and just buy the fancy equipment. The fancy equipment is for professionals who are fine-tuning their craft. The amateur golfer will make the biggest gains with improving their body before they start messing with fine-tuning activities. As the saying goes, do not put the cart before the horse.
5) Have Accountability
It is easy to get off-track from your goals. That is why hiring a coach who can help guide you and keep you accountable is essential. In your life, when were you doing the most growing and learning? Probably when you were in school. Your parents, the teachers, etc. were holding you accountable for your actions and what you were supposed to do. A good boss and work environment will also hold you accountable for the activities you agreed to do for them the day you signed-on with them.
If you want to get the most out of your golf game, then hiring a golf performance coach (strength coach or physical therapist) who works with golfers in your area should be your next step. They are imperative to help you in accomplishing your goals for next year and beyond!
Need help with your golf fitness? Reach out to [email protected] and let us know how we can help you get ready for next season.
