When it is time to warm up, there are golfers who think that they must hit the driving range with everything they’ve got. In actual fact, warming up means that you work on a variety of swings and become familiar with the conditions.

For instance, you golf differently on a windy day than if the air is still. You most likely play at least a bit different on days when the temperature is raging than when it is cool. Here are some tips from those who hit the courses frequently.

Driving is a great way to begin, but start slowly. Select a short iron for your first few drives, giving your muscles a chance to loosen up and to get the feel for the day. Work up to longer drives, but keep in mind that the goal is not only to see how far the ball will go – control is more crucial than distance and this is your chance to gather your skills to exercise that control.

Do not just drive. Some people make the mistake of thinking they’ve completed an adequate warm up once they have managed to make several successful drives. Take time for some chipping and putting as well. Make the most of your swing and any recent lessons you’ve had. Bear in mind that a round of golf is much more than teeing off.

The most critical warm up tip is to get your mood and emotions under control. Smacking your frustrations out on a golf ball probably is not going to help your game at all. Take time to gather your calm, focus on your game and let the day’s troubles fall away. Your mood – especially if it is a bad mood – can greatly impact your game.

One more mistake lots of people make at the warm up session is to start practicing. This is not the time to try out new clubs, new swings, or new information. This is a time to play your best game. It is okay to put in a few practice swings if you are working on something you want to put into play for this game, but do not get caught up in a practice session. One of the purposes of a warm up time is to build your confidence. You can’t do that if you are repeatedly making errors. Use the techniques you are most familiar with and be ready to congratulate yourself on all your successes during the warm up.