Do you start the New Year ready to lose your bad habits and look forward to making positive changes? The same is true for golfers, and the start of a new year is the perfect time to consider adopting new strategies or approaches to ensure you take your game to the next level.
Whether you are an aspiring golfer ready to take up the game to add exercise to your life, or perhaps you are a seasoned player who needs to work on their game to break your best score. Whether you want a better swing or to up your fitness plan, these tips cover various areas that will collectively ensure you are ready to hit the course and. improve your game.
Let’s look at five New Year’s resolutions that every golfer can follow that will enhance your playing over the next few months.
Resolution #1 – Commit to a Fitness Routine
Looking for a workout program to strengthen your golf game? Are you ready to add some yardage to those drives? Do you feel tired on the back nine and need to increase your energy levels? Start the New Year by developing a workout routine that fits your schedule.
From purchasing a gym membership to finding the perfect home fitness equipment, there are a variety of available options that may suit your situation. Creating a schedule that works with your work-life balance is critical, but ensuring you stick to this plan from the beginning of the year is crucial to your success throughout the coming months.
Create a balanced workout plan involving cardio and weights to ensure you build muscles in the right areas. One of the keys to success is setting a realistic target. Depending on your schedule, this will determine how many times you will work out each week – set monthly targets and gradually increase them.
The most important aspect of golf training is understanding your goal and how you will achieve it. If you are disciplined and work out with your goal in mind, you should soon see improvements on the course.
Resolution #2 – Take a Lesson with a Professional
If the best golfers in the world have a professional fine-tuning their swing, you can certainly benefit from booking one or more lessons in the new year to help pinpoint those areas that need your attention. While we all can benefit from watching professional golfers and trying to repeat their swing, there is nothing like visiting a local pro to help guide you in the right direction.
If you struggle with an area of your game, one-on-one training could be the key to quickly finding a resolution. The personal touch from a private lesson means you can focus on particular issues. Your local professional may also discover that your problem is not what you thought and something easy to resolve. Once you have advice and guidance on improving your weakness, repetition is the key to success. Don’t forget to head to the range to practice consistently, and don’t be afraid to book a series of lessons to really help you take your game to the next level.
The Alabama Gulf Coast is home to several courses that offer lessons, including Craft Farms, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, and Orange Beach Golf Center.
Resolution #3 – Visit the Range and Practice Efficiently
Most golfers don’t spend nearly enough time practicing their game efficiently. Visiting the driving range is the starting point, but it’s also critical that your practice sessions are well-organized and have a structure that will help you focus on areas of the game that need the most work.
You must spend time on the practice green, particularly those short putts inside 10 feet. If you improve this aspect of your game, you will quickly lower your best score on the course. The same applies to working on your short game from within 100 yards. Watching pros on the PGA Tour, you will notice that they are incredibly accurate with their various wedges. Focus your attention at the range on trying to hit target flags on the range.
When it’s time to work on your long game, concentrate on accuracy over distance. While it’s great to hit a drive 300 yards, you should also be confident you’ll hit the fairway. Find that sweet spot on your favorite club and know that you have a fairway finder in your bag, which will help other aspects of your game.
Resolution #4 – Play More Golf
It may sound like the most straightforward resolution to follow, but a concerted effort to play more golf is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, get more exercise, and enjoy this beautiful game. Enjoy the fresh air year-round and head to the course in the heart of summer and the cooler months to ensure your game continues to improve throughout the year.
Going to the course is also a great way to meet new people who share a love of this game. Book tee times in advance to ensure you have your schedule planned out weeks in advance, and tie in your fitness regime and driving range visits to create the perfect golfing calendar.
You may ask, “How do I play more golf when I work long hours?” Take advantage of the longer daylight hours in the summer to enjoy a quick nine after work, or book vacation days in advance to ensure your work-life balance allows for frequent visits to the golf course. A healthy golfer will likely become a productive employee for your company. Plus, the best business deals are frequently made on the golf course!
Resolution #5 – Focus Less on Your Score
Golfers of all standards frequently suffer from thinking far too much about their scores. Consider starting the new year with the goal of not worrying as much about the score and, instead, focusing on enjoying the on-course experience and the company you are with. It may sound crazy, but worrying less about your score will likely lead to improving it without even knowing it. Take a moment just to enjoy swinging the golf club freely and see what happens. You may be pleasantly surprised at just how well you play!
Put the resolutions to the test on one of the 15 unbeatable courses in and around Alabama’s beaches and start planning your golf getaway.
