Start Small: Build Up to Your First Full Swing
At Birdie Golf Center in Metro Vancouver, you can approach a simulator session with a simple rule: start smaller and slower than you intend to play. Instead of opening with a full-speed driver, spend roughly six to eight minutes moving comfortably, checking your space and building up through a few short shots. Treat the timing as a guide, not a deadline.
1. Set up your space before moving
Put bags, drinks and spare clubs outside the swing area. Check that nobody is beside or behind you, and follow the facility’s instructions for the hitting position and safety boundaries. If you are sharing a bay, agree that only the person hitting enters the swing area. Make sure your shoes feel secure and your clothing allows an easy turn.
Choose a wedge or short iron first. Before making any rehearsal swing, confirm that you have enough clearance for the club throughout its path, including the backswing and finish.
2. Spend two minutes on easy movement
Begin without a club. March gently in place for about 30 seconds, then make a few relaxed shoulder circles in each direction. Open and close your hands and gently move your wrists. Keep everything comfortable rather than trying to reach your maximum range.
Next, stand with your feet about hip-width apart and your arms crossed loosely over your chest. Make five small turns to each side, allowing your hips to move naturally. Finish with five shallow bends at the hips, keeping your knees soft, to rehearse the motion of settling into your golf posture. Avoid bouncing or forcing a position.
3. Rehearse before adding a ball
Take your wedge or short iron and make three short, slow rehearsal swings. Let the club travel from roughly waist height on the backswing to waist height on the follow-through. Then make three slightly longer swings at an easy pace. The aim is to find a balanced motion, not to create speed.
After each swing, pause in your finish. If you need to step or shuffle to stay balanced, shorten the next swing. This gives you a straightforward task without introducing several technical changes at once.
4. Build up with a small set of shots
- Start short: Hit four to six easy wedge shots with a compact swing. Choose a nearby target if the simulator offers one.
- Add length gradually: Hit four to six short-iron shots, moving from a half swing towards a comfortable three-quarter swing.
- Move to your next club: Try a few relaxed shots with a mid-iron before using a longer club. Bring out the driver only when you feel ready for a fuller swing.
During these opening shots, prioritise comfortable movement and a steady finish over distance. Simulator readings can wait; one early mishit is not a reason to rebuild your swing.
5. Make a clear transition into practice
Finish the warm-up by choosing one purpose for the session, such as starting shots towards a target or practising a particular approach distance. Take a moment to select the relevant simulator mode, asking staff if the controls are unfamiliar.
If you have been sitting between turns, repeat a few easy movements before swinging again. Keep the routine flexible, and stop any movement that causes pain. The warm-up is a gradual introduction to the session, not a test of flexibility or power.
