It’s that time of year where I head down to Orlando to the PGA Show. The trade show where anything and everything golf is under one roof. It’s a place where I’ll spend a little time both as a student, attending educational seminars and as a player, when I sneak in a round or two at some of my favorite courses! I love going to “The Show.” Not only do I come back with interesting ideas and perhaps some cool new technology, but it also means we’re only 12 weeks away from a tee time here in New England!! Wahoo!

Twelve weeks certainly sounds a lot better than three months that’s for sure! I know many of you are hitting the slopes or strapping on skates and heading to rinks. A good way to keep in shape over the winter months. Some of you will be traveling to someplace sunny and warm with a plan to get in a few rounds golf. That’s a fantastic plan I must say! Well as you head down south or out west, remember that your game is in its semi-hibernation stage. It’s been resting, relaxing and enjoying a change of scenery and temperature.

So when you head out for the first day on the links, be sure to be very very kind to yourself. If it’s been a couple of months since you’ve picked up a club, be sure to stretch and warm up before your round. If you and your friends make a bee line for the driving range, start with some short irons and pitch shots. This will give you and your body a nice reintroduction to what you’re about to do. Focus mostly on your posture, balance and tempo. When you’ve found your golf posture and sense of swing with the pitch shots, move to a nine or eight iron and make some smooth balanced swings. Get into a great finish and hold it a few extra seconds. Feel your balance and posture there and reconnect with it. Move through a few more clubs to the driver.

The most important thing to do when you’re heading off to the first tee (after your relaxing and successful warm up session) is to reframe your expectations regarding performance. Enjoy the warm weather and the fact that you’re free to move around! You’re not wearing eight thousand layers of clothing just to keep your teeth from chattering away. You’re out in the sun! And yes, the sun is actually out!!  Remember, you’ve been doing holiday things, cold weather things and maybe taking a swing or two at an indoor range. You’re regular golf routine has been on the back burner.  So whatever happens…happens. Be your own best friend and say encouraging things to yourself when the ball doesn’t go exactly as planned. Spend some time thinking about what you’d like to get accomplished for the 2015 golf season while you’re riding down the cart path to the next tee. And without a doubt, enjoy all the good shots you make. Now for those shots that are, shall we say…”meh”…chalk it up to off-season rust…it’ll shake off for sure, especially if you have a few more tee times scheduled while you’re away!