As a coach, I like to teach my competitive students the same pre-round warmup I use when I play in events like the PGA Professional Championship. Having an organized warmup to use when playing in an unfamiliar location or during a multi-day event is like having a good pre-shot routine – you’re trying to keep the result out of your mind and feel like you’re getting yourself into a comfortable mental and physical place to perform your best. It also makes sure that your range session is practicing the shots you need most, so your mind is in a good spot when you head to the first tee.
I teach my students to break their pre-round warmup into three parts: hitting full swing shots to targets, chipping and pitching, then rolling some five-foot putts. This simulates the shots every golfer is going to face on the course during a tournament. I also like for them to take 30-45 seconds between shots to process the result, figure out what you did right or wrong, wipe your clubface before the next shot – all the things you’ll do on the golf course during play. The warmup is all about trying to emulate on the range what you’re going to do on the course.
If you can teach your players to simulate the feel of playing and staying disciplined during warmup sessions, they’ll be amazed at how easy it is to recall that feeling of taking the proper amount of time, energy and focus into each shot – and it will help your competitive game, too.
Andy Mickelson, PGA of America Director of Golf at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Illinois, is the 2023 Illinois PGA Player of the Year and the 2015 Assistant PGA Professional Championship winner.
