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I show much love too those of you who can jump out there cold and after a couple holes and be fine. This post is mostly me venting. Since you guys are the golf world, who better else to vent too.

I went today too play a small 9 hole par 29 course. 16 bucks for 18 holes, lighted, its also the driving range I spend all my time at.

I got there about 30 mins before my friend showed up. I wanted to get my stretching in. LOTS OF STRETCHING its cold outside. Hit a big bucket of balls, see what the swing is doing today, fix a few things. And get that important swing thought of the day. I dunno if anyone else does this. But it might be a simple thing as trying to get the logo on my glove pointed at the target as long as possible through impact. Just something I can be thinking about when I am on the course. I stand behind my ball find my line and set up. Only thing I am thinking when I make the swing is that thought.

Ok back too the story. The driving range.....I was told it was too wet to pick up any balls and they ran outta balls. So I went too the putting green and worked on a few things I been trying out. If I didnt tell a friend I would play with him I would have went home. So I didnt get any range time. I didnt know where my swing was, what it was doing.......So I couldnt get my swing thought. Different days the swing does different stuff, so by my swing thought method I can adjust and play more consistant golf.

So I spent 4 hours shanking balls and being nervous over every shot. I either topped, chunked, or shanked every shot. Only thing I had going for me was the driver and putter. only 2 par 4s on the course, rest is par 3s. I shot 30 something over(worse I have ever shot in the 9 months I been playing). At the end of the day I was making decent contact, but still pushing right. I find myself playing better golf if I am pulling some shots. On a full course I am great on par 3's.

Second time on new Irons and WOW I didnt have it today. My knock down shot I hit about %50 of the time was gone. So tommarow I am gonna get a good 2 hours before lunch in at the range, get something to eat, then tee off. playing a long course tommarow(7110 yds).

Well for those who read this, I'm sorry, Just had really bad day. And its all due too improper warming up. Thanks for letting me steam a little.

I hear ya man, a pre round warmup is essential for me too. I can usually get warmed up by the 5th hole or so (if i dont hit the range) but im usually ~5-6 over par by then so my round is pretty much ruined.

Dont feel discouraged it happens to all of us. I am at the point now where I HAVE to hit the range before I play a round.

Dont sweat it too much and knock em straight tomorrow :)

I actually have the opposite problem. If I get to the course too early I start working like mad and by the time Im on the tee I cant think straight. I actually prefer to run slightly late and get up run to the tee tee it up and hit and go from there. Cant get negative thoughts when you lack the time to...

Several of the courses I play don't even have full ranges, so you can't hit woods or long irons unless you only hit them like 180-200 yards. So if I have time I'll hit a small bucket (25-30 balls) with my PW, 7i and 5i. For the times I am running late (which is 9 times out of 10), I should get me one of those weighted swing trainer clubs at Walmart for $25. I know a couple of folks with them, and they swear by them.

Generally, if no one in the group had a chance to warm up, we give a mulligan off the first tee. Last few times I played I didn't need it, hitting a decent drive from the first ball. It's usually my long irons (3,4,5) I have to hit a couple of times to get a good feel.

I usually just spend time chipping and getting my tempo and timing down. Soemtimes I take a 5 irons and swing it around in some rough or something but I'm not too keen on hitting the driving range as I get tired since I walk on a hilly course. Usually I can be fully warmed up by the 3rd hole.

my home course doesn't have a range at all. About the 3rd hole you know if your having a good day . or awful

My warm-up routine usually consists of a couple minutes of stretching and practice swings. That isn't enough of course but I'm usually ok except that I have to take an extra club for the first 2 or 3 holes.

Had a great morning practice session. Warmed up good after lunch, shot a 84, my low from the Longest tees(7110 yds give or take some). Feels good when I can hit those 3/4 knockdown shots and stick greens all day. Driver got me into trouble about every other hole, but no trees, links course, only thing I had to worry about was water on every hole.

Guess the saying is true, you get alot worse before you get any better. and yesterday was as bad as it got

Congrats :)

84 on a 7100+ yard course is a great score in my book.

The local course I play most often doesn't have a driving range and I average 6.5 less shots on the back nine.

I know it is directly related to not being warm.

In the past I have played 9 holes to get warm (not taking score) and then play a round of 18. That's one way to get warm on courses with no practice range.

I think for most golfers that it is very hard to ingrain the feeling of a good swing. I could go to the range on Friday night and hit 120 balls and be in a really good groove. Then on Saturday I could go to the course and stand over the ball and my groove will instantly be gone.

When I'm hitting well I really try to internalize the feeling of what I'm doing. I think you get to a point where you have a solid understanding of the mechanics of the golf swing and can make minor adjustments as needed. In addition, it's difficult to constantly think about mechanics and try to swing the club at the same time.

I'm trying hard to let instinct take over and become a "feel" player. But even trying to remember how a good swing with each club feels is a difficult task. I have noticed that my shot shapes have become more consistent. When I miss, it is usually to the left (I'm a righty) and I usually can correct it in one or two swings. But stepping up to the ball and doing it the first time is the piece of the puzzle that most golfers cannot find.

A good substitute for a short range session is to slip a lead "donut" over your 9 iron - make a few very slow swings - more like stretches. Then go thru the 7 and 5 irons before making a couple of slow swings with the driver. Take off the donut and try to repeat the rhythm with the driver -- "niiiiiiice aaaand sloooow". When it's your turn try to make a smooth slow swing - nature will speed it up and you may be (pleasantly) surprised at the result.

If you haven't got a donut make a couple of smooth swings with a bunker rake but don't hit the ground!!!!(They break!)

I've always thought that there should be 21 holes on a golf course, and the first three holes should not be applicable to scoring. But since I don't have any major pull at the USGA, I don't think my idea holds much water.

There is definitely a warm-up factor for me. I don't need to hit 50 balls, nor do I need to spend an hour on the putting green. But I do need to get loose and have an idea of what to expect, be it with my swing and with the pace of the greens.

I try to be at the course about a half hour early and hit a small bucket,mostly irons then hit 3-4 with the drive and spend the balance of time putting.Most of the courses here have driving, short iron,bunker,and putting ranges work out with.Too much for pre game,but ok to pick and choose what to work on when you have time for it.

Hello All

Like yourself I prefer to warm up on the range to see how my swings working on the day. I normally have a fade but if I don't practice that severe slice sticks its ugly head out.

I find using a Golf Net at home before a game helps warm me up then I just tweak it a bit out on the range.