Start Small: Ease into Your First Simulator Swings
A simulator session does not need to begin with a driver or a full-speed swing. For Metro Vancouver golfers planning practice at Birdie Golf Center, a short sequence of easy movements offers a simple transition into hitting balls. Start with small movements, add gentle turns, then gradually introduce the club and ball. Allow roughly five to seven minutes, adjusting the pace rather than rushing to finish.
1. Make room before you move
Begin on a stable part of the practice mat, with your feet about hip-width apart and your knees relaxed. Check the space around you before lifting a club: a shaft held across the shoulders extends beyond your body on both sides. Keep bags, loose balls and other people clear of that turning area. Follow any posted bay rules, and never warm up inside another golfer’s swing space.
2. Start with a minute of easy movement
March gently in place for about 30 seconds, letting your arms move naturally. Then make several small shoulder circles in each direction with your arms relaxed by your sides. Finish with a few slow weight shifts from one foot to the other, keeping both feet in contact with the mat. These movements are a starting point, not a test of balance or flexibility.
3. Turn gently with a club across your shoulders
Stand upright and place a club horizontally across the back of your shoulders, below the neck. Hold it lightly with both hands, with enough support to keep it level. Do not press the shaft into your neck or use your arms to pull yourself farther around. If this position feels awkward, set the club aside and cross your arms over your chest instead.
- Keep your knees soft and begin with a small, comfortable turn to one side.
- Let your hips turn naturally rather than trying to hold them completely still. Keep the movement smooth and your feet settled.
- Return to the centre, pause briefly, then turn the other way.
- Repeat four to six times per side, breathing normally and avoiding bouncing or forcing the end of the turn.
The club provides a visible reference for the direction your shoulders face; it is not a lever for creating a bigger stretch. Stay upright rather than leaning backwards. Reduce the range if the movement feels strained, and stop any movement that causes pain.
4. Change from turning to swinging
Take the club off your shoulders and hold it normally. With a short iron or wedge, make three to five small practice swings without a ball, pausing between each one. Start around waist height and keep the tempo unhurried. Gradually lengthen the motion only while it remains comfortable. Recheck your clearance before moving from standing turns to actual swings.
5. Let the first shots stay easy
Begin with five to eight short shots using the same wedge or short iron. Choose a nearby target and focus on a balanced finish, not a distance number. Move to three-quarter swings before trying a comfortable full swing. Leave maximum-effort shots until later, if they belong in your practice plan at all.
Keep the sequence simple: make space, move lightly, turn gently, rehearse, then hit. After a longer break during the session, repeat a few easy movements and practice swings before returning to fuller shots.
