Have you ever been out on the course and found yourself asking, “Why am I playing so badly?” You’re not alone. It is, of course, why we all love the game so much. The constant battle to improve and compete at a higher level. We have been improving the golf game for players around WNY for over 40 years here in Buffalo. We specialize in club repair and making sure your clubs are the right fit for you before you go out on the course. Today on the blog, we want to drop a few seasonal reminders for WNY golfers who may be itching to get out on the links.

Here are a few things many golfers forget to do before it’s time to get out there for that first round.

The Course May Not Be in the Best Shape (& you may not be either!)

It’s important to remember that as spring opens up, the first few rounds won’t be like playing at Pebble Beach. Save the brand new balls and tees you got for Christmas for once it warms up a bit more. You shouldn’t have the highest expectations of yourself for the first few rounds because your mind and body are just getting back into the swing of things. Unless you’re hitting the gym 5 days a week, you’re going to need some time to get into shape.

Dress Warm(er)

Ultimately, getting out there and getting some action is the most fun part, as long as you dress appropriately. It might seem warm because the sun is out, but if you’re not prepared with proper gear, you could be in for a long day. 

Warm Up (More)

It’s also important to remember to warm up properly, especially for those first few range sessions. You don’t want to spend all summer with a sore back or knee because of a lack of proper warm-up. 

Are Your Clubs as Ready to Play as You Are?

God forbid you let your clubs sit all winter without a proper cleaning last fall!

It’s always important to make sure your clubs are clean before the season starts and even after every time you play 9 or 18 holes in a day. A lot of golfers forget to do it after a play session when they can simply wash them in the club washers around the course.

Clean Clubs Matter.

Players can sometimes also be a little negligent and not think that a little speck of dirt or grass is a big deal, but any experienced player knows it’s a very big deal. Properly cleaned golf clubs are essential for consistent ball contact, accurate spins, and precision shots. If they are not clean, the ball will not respect your club, and you will shoot poorly. 

Check for Damage

Checking your clubs for damage is very crucial because you might have forgotten that last season you raged hard enough, slammed your club down, bent it, or loosened it up to detach from the club head. We all as golfers go through this, but when we do, we have to make sure we take care of our clubs. A proper inspection and club swing test can go a long way in making your golf season go well.

Read More- The Importance of Golf Club Maintenance Before Storage

Consider Sharpening Your Swing with A Pro Sooner

With a long winter here in Buffalo, the thing that most people lose track of is how they play the game of golf, how they establish their swing, stance, and grip of the clubs. One wrong error and it can send everything out of balance and make you second-guess other issues you have. 

A problem with the stance might make you think that your grip is wrong, or a problem with your swing will make you think that you’re standing too close to the ball. Re-establishing your swing before you play every time is a good way to give you confidence and play better. 

Golf pros know this all too well, although they have coaches and caddies to help them when they play. Looking for a coach is always a good idea to consider to help you. 

At Woods to Wedges, we’ve got you covered with professional PGA experts who can take you through the process. We can tend to your needs with 60-minute lessons, analysis, and other various programs you can learn about on our golf lesson page. Think about maybe warming up with a lesson or two to get yourself right before hitting the course. At least hit the range a few times. 

Practice Makes Perfect in the World of Golf 

As the great golfer Arnold Palmer once famously said, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated,” and yet it feels like many golfers not practicing consistently enough is the reason why it’s so complicated. Golf, more than any other sport, is a game of the mind and having the muscle memory to do things correctly. 

You don’t have to be like a pro golfer and practice just about every day, condition yourself religiously, or eat like a professional athlete does, but separation is in the preparation! Consider getting your clubs checked out by a pro, and think about how a few lessons could sharpen your game come May and June, when the real golf starts!

Stop by our location at 8230 Wehrle Dr, Williamsville, NY, and see us today if you’re interested in taking a lesson, getting your clubs re-gripped, or want to check for any damage. We look forward to meeting you!