Improving your golf under your own roof
AT THE time of writing this article, the world has gone into a tailspin with COVID-19. From a golf perspective, courses have been shut down and the uncertainty of what lies ahead is well and truly upon us. I for one wish golf courses were still open but, given new information arriving every day on how the virus is spread, I understand the closures. It’s a shame because fresh air and exercise are invaluable during these difficult times, not only from a physical standpoint but a mental one too. Anyway, that’s a whole other story, so in the meantime, here are some ways to best work on your games from home.
The blanket-hung-over-the-clothesline is an old personal favourite for creating your own driving range to hit balls. Variations on this can be done in the garage or, if you have the budget, an actual golf net. It’s a great time to implement any technical changes in your swing because you can’t see where the ball is going. I highly recommend hitting into a net for technique work anyway, even when ranges are open. We tend to get so caught up in where the ball goes that we don’t stick to what we’re trying to do in the first place. (Quick tip: exaggerate the changes so they’ll blend in quicker when you go back to your normal swing.)
Start a stretching and/or gym routine. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but stretching before you hit balls not only prevents injury but also provides greater flexibility – a key ingredient for hitting the ball further and with consistency. Using bands or your body weight (if you don’t have weights) is great for building up strength and there are plenty of golf-specific exercises on the internet these days. Check out www.mytpi.com to get you started.
Short-game practice can be made fun at home by setting up mini chip-and-putt courses throughout the house. Your skill level determines whether you should use normal golf balls or something softer and lighter (to avoid possible breakages), but I’ll assume common sense prevails there.
Finally, for mental game work, I highly recommend starting some form of meditation. I used it throughout my career to great effect. I’m not saying you need to burn incense and start chanting or anything, but I guarantee some deep breathing and focusing exercises will go a long way on the golf course. The bad shots don’t seem to worry you so much and the game will become less stressful. Imagine, a stress-free round of golf. What’s that, you say? Check out the apps Headspace or Calm to get you started. Also, look at old footage on TV or YouTube and watch the pre-shot routines of the top players. These are what you rely on when you’re feeling nervous or uncomfortable when you play, so take note of how the best players follow a methodical process to give their minds something to focus on. Then, figure out what is comfortable for you, from the physical moves to the mental thoughts during this 30-second or so routine.
Hopefully, the golf course shutdown doesn’t last too long, but in the meantime, there’s plenty to keep you busy golf-wise, and I can’t wait for that first round back.
Stay safe and healthy!
