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Clarkson Creative

Summertime in Colorado means long days and clear skies, making it one of the best times of the year to get outside and improve your golf game.

The DU Newsroom caught up with two players from the University’s golf teams, Willis Panzarello and Emma Bryant, for their best advice on making the most of your future rounds.��

Play more, worry less

As you increase your playing and practicing time, the game should feel more natural. Whether you’re by yourself or with a group, Panzarello suggests to “go out there as much as humanly possible and enjoy it.”

“Golf isn’t necessarily the most accessible sport, but Denver does a really good job of having a ton of options in the area,” he says.

Public golf courses are reasonably priced and offer a variety of tee times, depending on the day, Panzarello says.

Golf is as much a mental sport as it is physical. Both athletes stressed the importance of staying present and enjoying the process. Ultimately, no matter what your goals are, you’re out there to have fun, says Bryant.

“Keep the past shots in the past and embrace where your feet are,” she says.

Simplify your swing

Now if things start going wrong mid-round, Panzarello and Bryant suggest getting back to basics.��

Many golfers think they need to swing hard to hit far, but Bryant says that’s not the case. Instead, try to use as much of your body as possible, finish the swing, and the club will do most of the work for you.��

“It’s not a race on the back swing. Every recreational golfer tends to take the club back too quickly and that’s where everything goes wrong—even for me at times,” Panzarello says.

Prioritize your short game

It can seem easier to spend all your time hitting balls at the range, but you are more likely to lower your score if you dial in your wedge and putter work.��

“I feel like everyone goes to the driving range and wants to hit the driver all day because it’s cool, it’s the loudest club, it goes the farthest,” Panzarello says. “In reality, if you’re trying to play golf and not hit golf balls all day, then chipping and putting is what matters.”

Putting is what Bryant has worked on the most during her collegiate career, and she’s seen a lot of progress in her overall game.

Warm up and get loose

Whatever you do, don’t skip the warm-up—whether that’s light stretching, practice swings, or a few short chips or putts. Doing so can help prevent injury and set you up for success from the start.

“I think a lot of people go to the golf course and go right to the first tee, but there’s no embarrassment in putting a towel down on the range and stretching out,” Panzarello says.

Your warmup routine may look a little different from someone else’s, and that’s perfectly fine, he adds.

Like many other forms of physical activity, it’s also critical to be nourished and hydrated before your round—especially in the summertime.

Learn to love your putter

Embracing the putter, and practicing with it often, can turn a frustrating round into a successful one. So, it should be no surprise that both Panzarello and Bryant consider the putter their favorite club.

“I think putting is so cool because there’s only two options every time it comes off the putter face: It either goes in, or it doesn’t. I like the instant gratification of knowing,” he says.��

There are also many putting greens that don’t cost money to play on, Panzarello says, making it an affordable activity and a fun way to enjoy a nice Colorado summer day.

“A lot of putts that don’t go in are still great putts, and I think that’s what is super enjoyable about it,” he says.