It is well known that a warm-up is an essential part of any exercise.
Failure to warm up can lead to injury, which can put you out of your chosen sport for extended periods of time. Just like other sports, golf exacts pressure on a multitude of joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments etc that is sudden and violent
No matter how much we might tell ourselves to take it easy, our brains ignore the fact that we are starting from "cold" and our bodies go at the ball sitting there innocently on the first tee with all the "ooomph" it can generate
A few quick stretches and hurried practice swings can alleviate the risk of injury, however, unlike other sports, a lack of warm-up for a round of golf can also lead to an additional hazard:
Extreme Embarrassment.
Having dashed from the car park to the first tee, our hero (yes, it was me), went through an abbreviated routine (I normally like to have at least 45 minutes on the range/putting green and chat time), and stood on the first teee, mentally picturing the flight of the ball soaring into the blue sky, hugging the left side of the fairway with a touch of fade.
Naturally, I had selected my driver as it is generally a safe club, and has the added feature of having the largest face of any club in the bag - I remember a time when this was not always the case, a time when drivers were the size of a 7-wood today - such a large club face is the golfing equivalent of hitting the ball with the side of a barn, and thus even if the shot is not as envisaged, it is very hard to miss the ball
I nearly did.
I told myself, swing easy.
I told myself, swing smooth
I tried to send the ball to the sodding moon
The resulting wild iiswing was more suited to a medieval battle axe han a golf club and I only just connected, sending the ball at a 45 degree angle about 15 yards from the t ee (towards the white signboard).
Cue much hilarity from the group and several mentions about not reaching the ladies tee (I was well short)
In my defence, I did just miss the eventual par putt, and went on to play quite well, but whenever there was a bad tee shot (and there were a few, Don's loopy, lofted flop drive over the fence at 16 deserves a mention), it was noted that none were as bad as my opener.
I am thinking of having a plaque installed to mark the spot
So, top tip this week - warm up. Unless you want to have a cast iron excuse for an opeening disaster.
Stay safe, stay warm
Steve
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