As the weather starts to warm up and golfers return to the course, I see the same thing happen every spring. Players are excited to get back out there, which is great, but many golfers rush straight into hitting full swings without first focusing on the fundamentals.
If you want to start the season strong and enjoy your best golf, you need a plan.
At the David DeMay Golf Academy, I remind my students:
“Practice with purpose and enjoy the process.”
When golfers take the time to focus on the right fundamentals early in the season, they set themselves up for more consistency, confidence, and better scores throughout the year.
The Biggest Mistake Golfers Make Each Spring
The most common mistake I see when the season starts is golfers jumping right back into swinging without checking their fundamentals.
After a winter away from the game, it’s easy for small things to slip, alignment gets off, tempo becomes rushed, and impact position starts to break down.
When these fundamentals are inconsistent, poor results usually follow.
Before worrying about hitting the ball farther or shaping shots, make sure you are building your swing on a solid foundation.
The Three Fundamentals to Focus on First
At the start of every season, I encourage golfers to focus on three key fundamentals that influence every swing.
1. Alignment
Alignment is one of the most overlooked fundamentals in golf. Many players think they’re aimed correctly, but they’re actually set up left or right of their target.
Even a great swing won’t produce great results if your body is misaligned.
Before every practice session, check that your feet, hips, and shoulders are aligned parallel to your target line.
2. Tempo
Tempo controls the rhythm of your golf swing. When golfers take time off during the winter, their tempo often becomes quick or rushed when they return.
Starting the season slowly helps rebuild that natural rhythm.
Take smooth practice swings and focus on maintaining a balanced, controlled motion from start to finish. Feel like you are swinging in slow motion.
3. Impact Position
Impact is the moment that determines where the ball goes.
A consistent impact position leads to better ball striking, improved distance control, and more consistent shots.
Working on drills that improve your impact position early in the season will pay off all year long.
How to Structure Your Spring Practice Sessions
A good practice session should follow a structured routine. Randomly hitting balls rarely leads to real improvement.
Here’s the practice structure I recommend for my students.
1. Start With a Stretching Warm-Up
Before you even hit a ball, spend a few minutes stretching and warming up your body.
This helps prevent injury and allows your swing to move more freely.
2. Review Your Key Fundamentals
Next, work through your key fundamentals, alignment, tempo, and impact position.
Take your time here.
At the beginning of the season especially, I tell my students:
Go slow, so you can feel each position.
Start with drills and smaller swings until your fundamentals feel solid again.
3. Work on Tempo and Swing Drills
After reviewing fundamentals, spend time on drills that are specific to your swing challenges or flaws.
This is where lessons and personalized drills really help golfers improve faster.
I always tell my students:
If you practice the fundamental drills I give you, I guarantee you will improve.
4. Spend Most of Your Time on the Short Game
Many golfers are surprised when I recommend this practice breakdown:
- Putting: 40%
- Short Game (chipping/pitching): 40%
- Full Swing: 20%
The majority of shots during a round happen around the green. Improving your putting and short game can lower your scores much faster than simply hitting more drivers at the range.
Practice games and drills are great ways to make this part of practice more engaging and productive.
Practice With Purpose This Season
A good practice session doesn’t have to be long, it just needs to be structured. Practice for as long as you feel comfortable, but make sure you work through your fundamental steps before you finish. When you take the time to focus on alignment, tempo, and impact early in the season, you eliminate bad habits and give yourself the best chance to play consistent golf all year.
I always remind my students: practice with purpose and enjoy the process.
Ready to Improve Your Game This Season?
If you’re in Middletown, Winchester, or the surrounding areas, golf lessons at the David DeMay Golf Academy can help you build the fundamentals needed to play your best golf.
With the right drills, structured practice, and a clear plan, you’ll start the season on the right track.
Because when you focus on the fundamentals and practice with purpose, improvement isn’t just possible…it’s guaranteed.