How to Prepare For The New Golf Season

By: Derek Clements | Mon 24 Mar 2025

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You have probably noticed that there is more daylight, that temperatures are creeping up and that The Masters is just around the corner. And for many people, Augusta National signals the start of the golf season.

Not for me, of course. I have suffered through the long winter months, playing through the wind and rain, wearing umpteen layers of clothing and struggling to be able to swing the golf club.

But I know that many of you will be thinking of bringing your clubs out of hibernation. So how should you prepare for the new golf season?

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New Golf Season

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Clean Your Clubs

If you are anything like me, the chances are that you last played on a wet day, put your clubs in a cupboard and have not gone near them ever since. So the first thing you need to do is to apply a bit of soap and water. If you do nothing else, make sure that you remove any and all dried mud from the grooves in your irons. While you are at it, dig out your golf shoes - if you didn’t clean your clubs then I can absolutely guarantee that your shoes will also be filthy.

It might be time to buy yourself a new pair of golf shoes. And are you really going to wear that moth-eaten golf glove again? Really? Or are you going to admit defeat and go out and buy yourself a new one (or two)?

Update Your Clubs

This is the best time of year to buy new equipment. The manufacturers have all launched their 2025 models. And that means that last year’s drivers, fairway woods, utility clubs and irons can all be purchased at hugely reduced prices. You will be able to pick up a driver for around £300 that 12 months ago would have set you back £500. It is a no-brainer, surely?

Check Your Grips

I am constantly astonished by the number of people who play with clubs that have ancient, slippery rubber grips. I understand that not everybody can afford to change their clubs on a regular basis - or would even want to. But shiny, slippery grips are going to ruin your game because you are going to have to grip them so tightly so avoid them flying out of your hands. Get your clubs regripped by your local friendly club professional.

Check Your Bag

For goodness sake, have a look into all pouches in your golf bag. Did you remember to remove any fruit, biscuits and/or drinks? The fruit will be black and rotten, the biscuits will be stale and the drink will not be fit for human consumption. While you are at it, check out your golf ball collection and dump all of those that you know you are never going to use.

Head For The Range

You have not hit a golf ball for months so it stands to reason that you are going to be rusty - very rusty. Before going anywhere near a golf course, head to your nearest driving range and get yourself 100 golf balls. But before you start hitting them ensure that you do a few warm-up and stretching exercises. You have waited all this time to get back out there, don’t ruin it by putting your back out or pulling a muscle by doing too much, too quickly. When you have loosened up, start off by hitting some gentle wedge shots and work your way up to the driver.

Plan Your Playing Schedule

It has been a few months since you last played. Check out the courses you want to play - green fees may have increased since you last visited. Get a few tee-times reserved in advance - and don’t forget to check if they have any deals for groups of four or more.

Check Out The Masters Schedule

Get on the internet and check out the Sky Sports Golf schedule for full details of their extensive coverage of the season’s first major, which starts on Thursday, April 10 and concludes on Sunday, April 13. Plan how you are going to be able to watch every single shot. There is also full coverage of the Par Three Tournament, but do you really want to put yourself through that? Probably not!

Place Your Bets

Oh go on, have a little flutter on Rory McIlroy to a) end his major drought and b) finally claim the career grand slam. You never know, he may actually start with a round in the 60s and get you all excited.