A Simple Warm-Up Before Your Simulator Session

A simulator session can move quickly from choosing a course to hitting a tee shot. Before you start, leave a little time to settle into the space and build up your swing. For your next visit to Birdie Golf Center in Metro Vancouver, use this flexible eight-to-ten-minute routine rather than making your first shot a maximum-effort drive.

The aim is simple: get familiar with the hitting area, move at an easy pace, and find a comfortable rhythm. Treat the timing as a guide, not a deadline.

1. Check your space: about one minute

Put bags, drinks, and loose items outside the swing area. Check that your shoes feel secure and that the mat underfoot is stable. Everyone else should remain outside the golfer’s swing area, including during practice swings.

Identify where the ball should sit for the simulator to read it. Placement and setup vary by system, so ask staff if you are unsure. Check the intended target line rather than assuming the edge of the mat points at the target. Before swinging a longer club, confirm that there is adequate clearance behind you and overhead.

2. Start with easy movement: about two minutes

Set the club aside and work through a few gentle movements. Stay within a comfortable range, without bouncing or forcing a stretch.

• Walk or march gently in place for roughly 30 seconds.
• Make five slow shoulder circles in each direction, keeping your arms relaxed.
• With your feet about hip-width apart and arms crossed loosely over your chest, turn your upper body a little left and right five times each way.
• Take your golf stance, tip forward slightly from the hips, then return to standing. Repeat five times without trying to reach lower each time.

These movements are a transition into swinging, not a workout. If anything hurts, stop rather than trying to push through it.

3. Rehearse without a ball: about two minutes

Pick a wedge or short iron. Make three small swings with the clubhead staying low, then three waist-high swings. Follow with three longer swings at an easy pace. Pause between swings to reset your feet and grip.

Keep your attention on balance and tempo. Try finishing each longer swing in a position you can hold briefly without stepping. There is no need to chase speed or copy a particular swing shape during this part of the warm-up.

4. Build up your shots: about three to five minutes

If a practice mode is available, choose one target and work through a short progression. Use the correct hitting position for every ball.

1. Hit four short wedge shots with a compact, relaxed motion.
2. Hit four half-to-three-quarter shots with a short iron.
3. Hit three comfortable full swings with a mid-iron.
4. If your session calls for a longer club, finish with two or three controlled swings using it.

Allow a moment between shots to look at the result and reset. Start with strike and starting direction rather than maximum distance. A single unusual reading is not a reason to rebuild your swing; check ball placement and consider the next few shots together.

Carry the rhythm into your session

Choose one straightforward intention for the first few shots, such as a balanced finish or an unhurried backswing. If you share a bay, keep all warm-up swings inside the designated hitting area and wait until it is your turn. After a longer break, make a few easy rehearsals before returning to full shots. Keep the routine repeatable, not complicated.