Intermediate

Take a Cue from Tiger Woods: Five Ways to Get Golf Ready after a Long Layoff

By Brendon Elliott
Published on

Tiger Woods fans, rejoice! The legend himself returns to play today at The Genesis Invitational at The Riviera Country Club in Southern California.
His play in the Bahamas and at the PNC late last year was impressive from a technical standpoint but, more importantly, his physical improvements, most notably his stride as he walked, looked much improved.
Are you eager to return to golf after a long winter lay off or injury but unsure where to start? With the right approach, you can successfully get back into swinging freely. Here are five tips to help you get started:
Book a lesson with a PGA Coach
Before hitting the course, it's best to talk with the experts, PGA of America Golf Professionals, to form a gameplan. They can give you drills and lessons to work your game back into shape, while also recommending exercises to help your body be more golf ready.
Start small
You've heard Tiger talk about the work it takes to get back into playing on tour. Follow his lead and put in the work with an extra dose of patience. A great drill is hitting wedge shots only for one practice session. Find the center of the clubface; find the right tempo; find the right motions. With a shorter shot, you'll start grooving a swing that can be replicated all the way up to a full-speed driver.
Hit shots with your feet together
Tiger talks a lot about his "feels" and by that, he means being able to hit the shots he wants at any given time. Now, you may not have Tiger-level feels but that doesn't mean you can groove your own personal feel.
Try this: Take a 7-iron and set up to hit a shot. Now, put your feet together and try hitting a half- or three-quarter shot. Do it with five or 10 balls. With your feet together, you're forced to use your big muscles and your body to hit the ball, creating the "feels" for a proper strike.
Update your gear
The right equipment is crucial for maximizing your potential when you return. First, get some fresh grips on your clubs. The grips connect your hands to the club, and new ones will instantly help. Second, take a look at your glove . . . is it crusty and worn? Get a new one for increased tackiness and feel.
Lastly, take a look at your shoes. When's the last time you got a new pair? We saw this with Tiger back at the 2022 Masters when he was wearing FootJoy shoes, and now his Sun Day Red shoes. Find shoes that are comfortable, stable and make you confident!
Incorporate stretching
Recognizing any pain or discomfort you may be feeling after a layoff is a good thing! One remedy is to incorporate more stretching. Try this simple five-minute golf warm-up from Pablo del Olmo, PGA, if you're running low on time. Or, if you're seeking more flexibility, Thor Parrish, PGA, has some great exercises for increasing mobility and better posture.
Following these tips above, and Tiger's lead this week in LA, and make this a great year for golf!
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.