Dans Hamptons

OK. Rain again. It seems like a common theme in the articles I've written over the years. But April showers do bring May flowers, so at least the rain is coming when it's supposed to! So while we're waiting for the sun and the flowers, what can we do to get ready for golf?

Tune up your body: If you've spent too much time on the couch this winter and not enough time in the gym or on the slopes, it's not too late to get your body in shape for golf. Your core (stomach, waist, back) is the most important part of the body to get in shape. It will help you with balance, strength and flexibility--all of which you'll need for a good round of golf. So do a lot of stretching and sit-ups, work on an exercise ball and look for other specific exercises that work your core. After your core, be sure you work on your hamstrings and quads.

Tune up your equipment: Let's start with golf shoes. Golf shoes are made with spikes which are intended to keep your feet solid and free from slipping when you make a golf swing. If the spikes have been worn down, your traction will be no better than if you were simply wearing sneakers. Spikes should be changed every year or two, more frequently if you play often. If you wait too long to change your spikes, the spikes could become impossible to remove from the shoes, or the grooves will just become stripped and the spikes will fall out. When either of these situations occur, you'll need more than new spikes--you'll need new shoes. So make the prudent choice and change your spikes.

Golf clubs, even newer ones, need regular tune ups. What does this mean as it relates to golf clubs? The first thing to look at are the grips on your clubs. If the grips are starting to look shiny and feel slick, it's time to get new grips. Golf is tough enough--you don't want to play with clubs that will slip out of your hands. Your grips should be changed every year or two, depending on how often you play.

Next, look at your wedges. If the grooves on the wedges become too warn down, they won't put the spin on the ball that you'll be looking for from 100 yards and in. While this won't happen in a year or two (unless you play on the pro tour!), for the better golfer, having your wedges the way you want them is critical to your success on the golf course.

How about your golf bag? Does it take two 6' 200 lb. males to carry it from the car to the bag drop? Are the holes in the pockets causing you to lose balls even faster than you hit them into water hazards? Does it lack a built-in stand, causing it to fall down every time you set it down? Newer golf bags are lighter, sleeker and have more amenities, so consider a new one this year.

And what about your clubs? Are they more than 5 years old? 10? Great advances have been made in golf club technology--and more occur each year. How have these advances translated to how people play the game? From my perspective, there are three important changes that could help your game.

1. Large drivers, those of the 460cc variety (the largest allowed by the USGA) enable you to hit the ball farther, straighter and more consistently. If you don't have one, you should strongly consider it.

2. Irons have been re-configured to enable golfers (particularly newer ones) to get the ball in the air more easily. This translates to better shots--and a more enjoyable round of golf.

3. Hybrid clubs--a combination of the best qualities of irons and woods--have stormed onto the scene, enabling people to abandon their long irons (which they had trouble hitting anyway) for clubs that better enable you to propel the ball down the fairway. Hybrids also work better out of the rough--a place no 3-iron should be found!

If you've got older clubs and want to see how these newer clubs could improve your game, get into a golf shop and test them out now.

Tune up your game. Don't start the season out with bad habits. Come in and sign up for some lessons. A quick review of the basics--and some early season diagnostics and corrections of your swing--will go a long way to making you enjoy your golf season more.