5 Steps to Get Ready to Return to the Golf Course

The days are getting longer and you know what that means–it’s time to get back to the golf course!  If you took a hiatus from golfing over the holidays, get off the couch and dust off your clubs.  Now’s the perfect time to grab your calendar and start planning your next day of golf at the Eagle Point Golf Club.  We know it can seem daunting to return to the game, so here are a few tips to get ready to return to the golf course.

1. Still too cold and rainy for your liking?  Work on your mental game.

Jack Nicklaus is recognized for saying, “The game of golf is 90% mental and 10% physical.”  His statement emphasizes his belief that in order to be successful on the course, you must prepare for the game mentally.  There are a number of books written about the mental game of golf.  Check one out from your local library or purchase a copy from your favorite bookseller.  Combined with a hot cup of cocoa, reading a book about how the pros approach their games is a perfect way to get ready to return to the golf course while the weather is still cold and gray.  Here are three examples to get you started on your reading journey:

• “Mastering Golf’s Mental Game” by Dr. Michael Lardon
• “Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game” by Dr. Joseph Parent
• “Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game” by Dr. Gio Valiante

2. Prepare your body for returning to the game.

After a few months of sedentary activities (and perhaps a few more holiday cookies than you’d like to admit), its time to get your body ready for a day out on the course.  Start by finding a good stretching routine to loosen up your shoulders, back, neck, and legs.  You can do the same pre-game stretching routine you complete on the course in the comfort of your home.

Next, adopt a regimen appropriate to your physical condition, like participating in daily walks, jogging, or visiting your local gym to get your cardiovascular and muscular systems working well.  Of course, always follow the advice of your trusted physician to determine what type of activity is best for you.

3. Set your goals for this year.

Take some time to think about your previous years of golfing.  What did you feel worked well for you?  What skills do you want to work on this year?  Now is a great time to start a golfing journal with the goals you want to focus on during the upcoming season.  Considering challenging yourself by participating in a golfing tournament or committing to hitting the greens at least once a week.

4. Schedule a golf lesson.

Once you’ve got your mind and body ready and you know what you want to achieve this year, it’s time for a consultation with our professionals to start working on the techniques of your game.  We’ll work one-on-one with you to observe your current game, and then provide you with a few easy techniques you can practice immediately and take onto the course for your next game.  Our philosophy centers around providing you simple strategies to achieve continual improvement towards achieving your goals.

5.  Find a golfing buddy.

There’s one sure-fire way to get you motivated to get out to the golf course and improve your game:  peer pressure.  Think about all the people you enjoy golfing with and make a call to two or three you want to spend more time golfing with this year.  Having a conversation with a golfing friend about returning to the course will get you both pumped and excited to get out to the greens and brave the cooler weather.  Why not meet up for lunch at the Talon Grill before your next game to catch up on everything that’s happened over the winter?

We are ready to welcome you back to the Club!

Our staff at the Eagle Point Golf Club is invested in your success.  We want you to enjoy every game and achieve your improvement goals.  A great way to learn new skills is by scheduling time to meet with our coaching staff.  In fact, why not start off the season with a new set of golfing goals, a set of lessons, and a plan for regular practice?  Call us at (541) 826-8225 to schedule everything you need to advance to the next level in the coming year.