Making Warm-Up Routines More Like Real Golf

Random beats robotic

Real golf rarely gives you the same club twice from the same lie. After a few loose swings, add variety. Change targets. Switch clubs. Go through the routine before selected balls instead of raking and firing.

Try this finish

1. Hit the first-tee club to a real target.
2. Play the likely approach for that hole.
3. Hit one wedge to a landing spot.
4. Roll a lag putt, then hole three short ones.

Make consequences small but real

Give yourself one ball for each rehearsal. If the first-tee shot misses, do not hit six more. Note the likely recovery and move on. That habit prepares you for the course better than searching for a range-shot apology.

Final thought: Warm-up should make the opening holes feel familiar, not mechanically crowded.