Two ways to quickly recover your game
Hopefully the weather we are having all over the country will begin to break a little and let us get out and start playing golf. I have not seen a winter this cold ever and have only been able to get on the course sporadically this winter.
Here is what I would recommend to you for quickly getting your game in shape. One, work heavily around the chipping green to recover some touch and eliminate the potential anxiety that could occur when you need to chip on the golf course. You know for sure the ball striking may not be up to par and you will miss more greens than usual, so be prepared to use your short game to salvage a few strokes early in the season. This will pay off greatly, especially when your ball striking comes around. Two, workout with the driver at home and on the range. You will be surprised how quickly your golf muscles become slow and sluggish. Swing drivers at home a much as possible to keep those muscles toned and quick. I want you swinging full speed during these practice sessions with the driver. You can get away with mediocre iron play, but if you are getting into trouble off the tee it will be a long round !
I suggest you try improving these two areas of your golf game first then begin working on the other areas as you ramp up your available practice time.
What about swinging weighted clubs? do you have any opinions or drills on how to use these to tune up your game?
Robert,
Interesting question. I have recently had numerous conversations with long drive competitors regarding swinging weighted golf clubs and how they may benefit. Most of them agree it does help in keeping the golf muscles limber, but they are split when asked if it increases clubhead speed. Personally, I feel swining a slightly weighted club will keep your muscles flexible and from that stand point will be beneficial. However, to create faster clubhead speed weighted clubs are not the source. (experts I spoke to in the biomechanics field agreed) These experts agreed the muscles need to fire faster – weighted clubs did not train golf muscles to ‘twitch’ faster at all, they actually moved slower with weighted clubs.
I would recommend using weighted clubs for flexibility not speed training. I suggest 5 minutes daily for flexibility with the heavy club, then use your driver. I have even used a golf club which has the clubhead removed for speed training (shaft only – very light so you swing it fast – you can feel the golf muscles fire quicker). When you use either the heavy or light club, you should interval train with your regular driver the equal amount of time.
Great question and I hope this helps ! Rick