Junior Golf Warm-Up: A Simple Pre-Round Routine
Quick answer: A short, unhurried warm-up — light movement, then putting, then chipping, then a few full swings — does more for a young player than any amount of extra practice the week before. Ten to fifteen minutes is usually enough.
The Routine, in Order
A couple of minutes of easy stretching or walking — nothing intense, just getting the body moving.
A few putts of varying length to get a feel for the greens and settle any early nerves.
A handful of short chips builds on the putting rhythm before moving to fuller swings.
Starting with a shorter club before working up — no need to hit full-power drives to feel warmed up.
Why Putting Comes First
It’s tempting to head straight for the range and start swinging, but putting is the club your child will use most during the round — and it’s also the lowest-pressure way to start. A few calm putts before anything else helps settle nerves and gets a feel for the pace of the day, before moving on to shots that take more physical warm-up.
Go Deeper
Frequently Asked Questions
What if there’s no time for a full warm-up?
Even a shortened version — a few putts and a couple of practice swings — is better than nothing. Prioritise putting first if time is tight.
Should the warm-up be different for a casual round vs a tournament?
The same basic routine works for both — tournaments just benefit from a bit more buffer time to do it unrushed.
Can stretching alone count as a warm-up?
It’s a good start but not a substitute for touching the putter and a few clubs before starting — the golf-specific feel matters as much as physical readiness.
A calm start makes for a better round.
FamilyGolf Club recognises effort and progress from every round logged, warm-up included.
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