By: Natalie Schmett |

What does "warming up" before a round entail?

If you only had five minutes to get to the tee box, what would you do? Most would say, "Hit as many golf balls as possible." However, I disagree. So many players spend time beating golf balls on the range with no intent, which ultimately does nothing to their game on course. It’s important to develop good habits before hitting the links, no matter how much time you have to warm up before.

Each individual player will have different routine, but the point of warming up on the range before a round is to actually warm your body up. I've come across so many players who are way too concerned about how they're hitting the ball versus getting their body loose and ready for play.

1. Find a stretching routine that works for you.

Include a combination of the following:

1.       Hip stretches

2.      Arm stretches

3.       Neck and back stretches

2. Start with short wedge shots—don’t rush!

 

3. Quality over quantity.

Choose a few different clubs to hit throughout your entire warm up. Take your time, and do a lot of short game before you even head to the tee box.

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Keep your warm-up simple and get your body loose!

This will benefit you immediately upon tee off. Follow the above steps and you'll be ready to start scoring on the first tee versus finally feeling loose on the back nine! And to boost your golf performance on the green, try the best golf drink on the market, GOLFERAID Performance Blend.

 

> > > Live well!

 

 

Festivals are fun!

On one hand, festivals often leave us with some of our favorite memories and experiences. But, they can also be a long and grueling few days. After attending my fair share of festivals, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that will help you have the best possible festival experience.

Tip #1: Stay Hydrated

I can’t stress this enough: Remember to drink lots of water! Festival days can be long, especially when you spend 10-12 hours on your feet, dancing ‘til your heart’s content. As a result, you’re sweating in the heat and losing valuable electrolytes. So always remember to hydrate throughout the day and night. Consider investing in a refillable bottle or canteen that you can keep with you — I promise, it’ll be worth its weight in gold.

Tip #2: Designate a Meet-Up Point

Festivals are big and there are large crowds of people everywhere. You’re bound to lose your friend from sight at some point, or have to deal with someone in your group wandering off (if they’re a wanderer like I am). Festivals are also notorious for not having very good cell phone coverage since there are so many people competing for reception. For these reasons, it’s a great idea to remember to pick a meet-up point in advance! Usually, my friends and I try to pick something that’s visible from far away, like a large art sculpture. Then we stand by it whenever we lose a friend in our group. That way, it’s always easy to find the designated meet-up point in the bustle of the crow and reconnect easily with your group.

Tip #3: Wear Comfy Shoes

Fashion is a very integral part of any festival experience. Oftentimes, people put their best foot (or footwear) forward — literally. It may be the only time some of us can let our fashionista souls shine! However, standing around for 10-12 hours in those cute booties or heels you got just for the festival is simply not practical. Instead, I recommend wearing something you’re more comfortable in, such as sneakers. That way, you can really go all out and dance ‘til you drop instead of leaving the festival barefoot with your blistered, sore feet and your “cute” shoes tucked under your arm.

Tip #4: Send Texts with Timestamps

Discovering your cell phone gets a spotty signal is something you can expect at most festivals. So if you are texting your friends, get in the habit of adding a timestamp to each text. For example: “We’re at the meet-up spot. 12:45.” That way, whenever the text finally goes through, your friends can see how long ago the text was actually sent and know whether you’re likely still at the meet-up point or not. Anything to make it easier to find and keep tabs on your buddies is a good idea.

Tip #5: Invest in Batteries

We all want to capture that magic moment on our phone or camera — whether you intend to share it with the world or you just want some photos and videos as keepsakes to remember what an awesome time you had. Regardless, all those cute photos and videos you take are definitely going to drain your battery, fast. Not to mention, if you’re constantly checking set times or texting your friends to track down their location, your battery will get zapped even quicker. Since you want to be sure your battery will last the whole day, it’s a great idea to bring a small external battery to the festival. You can connect the battery to recharge your phone (or camera) throughout the day. Another easy trick I’ve learned is to simply put your phone on “airplane mode” when you’re not using it — that way it doesn’t waste unnecessary energy trying to find cell phone coverage, run background apps or refresh. With an external battery by your side, you’ll be sure you never miss the perfect shot.


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Armed with these tips and tricks, you’re ready to go off and have the festival experience of a lifetime!

 

> > > Live well!

By: Natalie Schmett |

Oftentimes we hear the horror stories of being stuck in the sand. Most players are extremely afraid to hit in the bunker and even more nervous to get out of it.

Now, the dreaded bunker shot can be taken advantage of by following these pro tips!

Nine out of 10 players I see have an incorrect set-up when they approach their ball in the bunker. Set-up must be correct in order to get a solid strike and gain confidence with your sand play. The stance must be wide and open to the target, with ball position towards the front heel. Open that club face!

Turn through the ball and create speed. Acceleration is crucial in getting the ball up and out of the bunker. Take a few practice swings with the club finishing in front of you versus sticking in the sand.

Maintain the angle of the club throughout your entire swing, start to finish. The club face should be pointing towards your face at finish.

 

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When in doubt, be confident and be aggressive!

Follow these tips to refresh your approach on a bunker shot & still make par. And to boost your golf performance on the green, try the best golf drink on the market, GOLFERAID Performance Blend.

 

> > > Live well!