. Now is the Time to Posture Yourself for Future Success By Michael Pickens MTT Contributing Writer Use the winter months to improve all aspects of your game. Locate an indoor driving range and use it regularly. Keep swinging throughout the Fall-Winter-and early Spring. This time of the year is the perfect time to spend quality time developing a positive mental, visual, and physical approach to your golf game. Now is the time to develop a game plan with your professional. This winter take advantage of your local indoor range specials and bring your game to the next level. Most of the top players take advantage of the off season to get themselves ready for the upcoming year. Pre-Golf Course Posture: Before you get to the golf course: 1. Putt on the carpet 2. Swing a club in the back yard 3. Stretch in the shower 4. Mentally play the course 5. Keep it simple and fun in your mind   Natural Body Posture Essential for a simple, repeating, powerful swing. 1. Feet approximately shoulder width 2. Knees are slightly flexed and over the feet 3. Arms hang loosely and naturally 4. Balanced grip 5. Have a feeling of your weight evenly balanced between the balls of the feet and heels   Positive Mental Posture and Positive Emotional Posture Critical element of repeating swing. 1. Arrive at the course in time to hit a small bucket of balls to work on the rhythm & timing. (do not give yourself a major lesson when warming up) 2. Putt on the green for 10-15 minutes. Spend more time in the 2-5 foot putts & take a few long putts for judging correct speed 3. Practice your set up routine (be light with yourself, it's not that serious, make it fun) 4. Practice listening to your intuition that quiet still voice within yourself. (usually your first instinctive club selection is correct) 5. Pay attention to your own game and your own business. Your playing partners will do what they do without your mental, emotional, and verbal narration 6. Be positive with everything all day. Smile and give compliments when it is appropriate   Develop a "Trust Yourself" Posture Create and commit to a schedule for practice. Many people commit to a schedule for working out; it is the same for working on your golf game. Balance your practice with chipping, putting, and full swings. It is better to practice 1/2 hour 4 times a week rather than one 2-hour session. Take notes of what works with each session and review your notes on a regular basis.   After Playing Posture 1. While drinking your beer keep your feet flat on the floor, back straight, and elbow pointed downward. 2. Take turns telling golf stories and practice good listening skills 3. Take time to go through your round of golf noting all your good shots. Think of your bad shots only once and notice what you need to practice.   Most certainly schedule some time with your teaching professional. It is very wise to have an instructor (PGA or LPGA) as an outside observer and coach to help support you in developing a solid swing and practice plan. Michael Pickens is the Manager of Instruction at Englewood Municipal Golf Course and PGA professional. For more information or questions about Englewood's Indoor Range-Practice Facility-Lessons-Specials-and Tee Times call (303) 762-2670 or Michael at (303) 762-2672.