How to prepare for the reopening of golf courses

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for, as golf clubs get the green light to reopen on March 29. Head been out of the game for too long? It’s time to limber up as we show you how to bring back your ‘A game.’

Start preparing your body
It might’ve been a while since you’ve exercised, but it’s never too late, especially when a round of golf’s at stake. From here, try a little bit of exercise each day to improve your body’s mobility and flexibility, and reduce the likelihood of injury when you start playing again.

Start by jogging on the spot for five minutes or take a brisk walk to get the blood flowing to your muscles. Follow up with squats to build up strength in your lower body and core muscles. After, add a few arm swings to help warm up your upper back – vital for golf – then complete your workout with some calf and hamstring stretches. You’ll be raring to go when the club doors reopen again.

Work on your mental game
To play better golf, you’ll also need to be mentally strong – you only need to look at the pros to see this. Set yourself personal goals and work on adopting a positive mental attitude to your game.

Books can offer some great tips in this area. Try Mind Game: The Secrets of Golf’s Winners by Michael Calvin and Thomas Bjørn, or Mastering Golf’s Mental Game: Your Ultimate Guide to Better On-Course Performance and Lower Scores by Matthew Rudy and Michael Lardon.

Check your equipment
Check that the grips on your clubs are in good condition. Remove any dirt and stains with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush, making sure you scrub all sides. If it’s well worn, time to buy a new one. A clean club face allows more spin from your shots, so it’s important to get rid of any dried mud especially in the club’s grooves.

Practise your swing
Golf experts advise watching pros in action and copying their grip pressure when they hit specific shot types. It’s also the same for getting the correct posture and body alignment. The best way to do this is to take a screen shot of a player (Adam Scott), stand in front of your mirror and practise. Also, start working on your swing position, the takeaway is a good one to start with.

Enjoy yourself
On your first day back at your club try and arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to familiarise yourself with any changes to layout or clubhouse procedures. Also give yourself plenty of time to warm up. It’s important not to overdo it when your start playing again, instead work on getting your golf rhythm back – and most of all, enjoy being back out on the course!