A Gradual Warm-Up Before Playing: Mike Malaska
Do you warm up by hitting balls? Mike Malaska recommends that all golfers do a gradual warm-up before hitting balls on the driving range: loosening up the hands and shoulders, stretching the legs, and then doing rotations—to get ready to swing the driver.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
According to Mike Malaska, we shouldn't use the balls to warm up: Otherwise, the swing is different every day. It starts with the hands: fingers spread apart, thumbs extended; you roll your fingers to stimulate circulation, then you stretch your forearms Pull your fingers backward smoothly for a few seconds to 20 seconds. Next, perform forward and backward arm circles with your shoulder blades pulled together, 10 to 20 times; bring your elbows together with your fists on your temples; stretch with your arms raised, followed by a triceps stretch; and a side bend, feet apart, shoulders aligned. He adds a wrist strengthening: Hold the clubs close to your body and lift them using only your wrists, then rotate the clubs while keeping your elbows close to your body. Pressure on the inside of your elbow indicates that the load is too heavy.
Next, the legs: feet aligned as if on a balance beam, back straight; lean forward over the front leg until you feel the hamstrings pull, and keep breathe, because holding your breath increases tension. With your legs spread apart, lower yourself toward the floor, then toward each leg. After wrapping your arms around your upper back, next come the rotations come last: club across the shoulders, standing and then bent forward from the hips, head between the feet; finally, sitting with one leg crossed, rotating the torso to look behind you, for the backswing and the follow-through. Once you’re loose, You can take your driver directly.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Roll your fingers, with your hands wide open, then stretch your forearms.
- Make circles with your arms, first forward and then backward, keeping your shoulder blades squeezed together.
- Stretch your triceps and lean to each side, with your feet apart.
- Raise and lower two clubs using only your wrists, with your arms at your sides.
- Lean forward over your front leg, keeping your back straight, until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings, and keep breathing.
- Hold the club on your shoulders, turn to each side, stand up straight, then bend forward at the hips.
- While sitting with one leg crossed, turn your upper body to look behind you.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Warming up by hitting balls only.
- Making sudden movements while stretching.
- Holding your breath while stretching.
- Using too much weight during wrist exercises (pressure on the inside of the elbow).
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Hands, forearms, and shoulders before the first swing
- Hamstring Stretches with a Flat Back, While Breathing
- Club rotations on the shoulders, followed by the first few swings with the driver
Your Questions
Why not warm up by hitting some balls?
According to Mike Malaska, using balls to warm up makes your swing different every day. It's better to arrive at the driving range already loose.
How long should you hold each stretch?
Smoothly, from 2 or 3 seconds up to 10, 15, or 20 seconds, while breathing calmly.
How should you pace your wrist exercises?
Start with one dumbbell. If that’s easy, move on to two, then three. Pressure on the inside of your elbow or your body tensing up is a sign that the weight is too heavy.
Why do the rotations come last?
Because they come once your muscles are stretched. After that, you're loose enough to grab your driver right away.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Mike Malaska). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.