Tips for Shaking Off the Rust for the New Season - 2023
As the golf season approaches, it's time to shake off the rust and get back into the swing of things. For average to high-handicap golfers, this can be a daunting task. But fear not, recently the Copper Golf Company had a chance to sit down with former Division 1 college golfer Patrick Stephenson from Columbia, SC. He gave us some great insight on what it takes to quickly knock the rust off and get into the swing of things in no time.
1.Start with a Warm-up
Before heading to the course, it's essential to start with a warm-up. Take some time to stretch and get your muscles moving. Since it has been a while since you have been on the course you want to make sure you get the body moving correctly early on. This will not only help you get in the swing of things early on in the season but it will also significantly reduce your risk of injury. Stephenson says that early on the season he likes to focus on the following areas before heading to the course:
Core activation - your core is the muscle group in the golf swing that holds everything together. Having a strong and activated core is vital in creating a powerful swing. More importantly, however, a strong core is responsible for protecting your back. After sitting around all winter you will want to do front planks, side planks, and bridges everyday before going to the course to make sure everything in your core is engaged and ready to go.
Hip and Upper Back Mobility - Stephenson said that for him the two areas that make the biggest impact in his swing is his ability to move his hips and upper back. If these two areas are tight it is very difficult to get a full turn and into proper golf swing positions. Before heading to the course be sure to some hip and shoulder separation exercises so you can get the most out of your turn!
2. Practice Makes Perfect
The key to success in golf is practice. Dedicate time each week to work on your swing, putting, and chipping. Use a golf simulator if you have access to one or hit balls at the driving range. This will help you improve your skills and feel more confident when you get out on the course. Also, the area that Stephenson said he felt the most rust was in his short game. To knock this off quickly he told us he liked to stop by the putting green for 30 minutes after playing to hit 100 putts from 4-8 feet. Also, when he played by himself, he would throw a couple balls around each green and try to get them up and down. If you were to copy this strategy, you will get a lot more reps around the green than you would have otherwise. This will knock the rust off a lot faster than just playing alone.
3. Set Goals and Track Progress
Set realistic goals for yourself and track your progress. Whether it's lowering your handicap by a few strokes or improving your putting game, setting goals will help you stay motivated and focused. It is important to make these goals SMART. This stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
It is important to not only set these goals, but also to track them. The easiest way to do this is to enter all your scores into the world handicap system as this gives you an overview of how your game is trending. To track statistics at a more granular level Stephenson says that he likes to use the website golfstatlab.com. This platform gives users a full overview of 100 different data points and only takes just a few minutes to input rounds.
4. Play with More Experienced Golfers
Playing with more experienced golfers can be an excellent way to learn new techniques and improve your game. Stephenson said that he felt like his game was always elevated when he would get paired with a top player in the country.
Reach out to some of the top players at your club and get a game with them. Even if they are out of your league, this is the best way to learn what good players do and hopefully you will be able to apply their principles to your own play.
In conclusion, knocking off the rust and heading into the 2023 golf season doesn't have to be a daunting task for high-handicap or average golfers. Follow these tips and steps from the Copper Golf Company and former Division 1 player Patrick Stephenson to lower your handicap, improve your skills, and have fun out on the course. Remember to stay focused, practice regularly, and track your progress to achieve your goals. Good luck, and we hope you have your best year yet!