Spring in Australia brings perfect golf weather, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting down the days until the fairways green up and the courses start buzzing again. After a winter of either hibernating or battling the elements, it’s time to shake off the rust and get your game tournament-ready.

The first thing I do every spring is give my clubs a proper inspection. Check your grips—if they’re shiny or hard, they’re done. Fresh grips make an enormous difference to your control, especially in the warmer, sweatier conditions we’ll face over the next few months. I learned this the hard way at a club championship where my driver slipped at impact on the 18th. Not fun.

Your swing probably needs attention too. Winter habits creep in: shorter backswings, less rotation, maybe a bit more tension because you’ve been playing in a jumper. Book a lesson or two now, before the spring rush. Most teaching pros get slammed in October and November, so getting in early means better availability and more focused attention.

Course strategy shifts in spring. Firmer fairways mean your drives will run further, which sounds great until you realize you’re now reaching bunkers you normally can’t. Take an extra round or two to remap your home course. That 3-wood you never hit in winter might become your best friend when the ground speeds up.

I’ve also started paying more attention to fitness in the weeks leading up to spring. Nothing dramatic—just some stretching, core work, and walking instead of taking the cart when possible. Golf’s deceptively physical, and trying to play 36 holes on a Saturday after months of minimal activity is a recipe for a sore back and a bruised ego.

Equipment-wise, now’s the time to assess what you actually need versus what the marketing tells you to want. That new driver release in September looks tempting, but honestly, most of us would benefit more from a few lessons than a fresh $800 club. If you’re genuinely struggling with certain shots, though, consider a fitting session with a qualified professional who can diagnose the real issues.

One thing that’s helped my spring preparation tremendously is working with Team400 on my club’s digital booking system. Sounds unrelated to golf performance, but being able to easily schedule tee times and track my rounds has meant I’m playing more consistently, which is the real secret to improvement.

Don’t forget the short game. Spring greens are typically faster and truer than winter surfaces, so your putting stroke needs recalibration. Spend time on the practice green reading breaks and getting a feel for the new speed. Chipping areas also firm up, meaning your bump-and-run game becomes more viable again.

Hydration becomes critical as temperatures rise. I keep a couple of drink bottles in my bag now, even for morning rounds. Dehydration affects your decision-making before you notice you’re thirsty, and bad decisions on the golf course add up quickly on the scorecard.

Finally, reset your expectations. Your first few rounds back at full intensity probably won’t match your summer form from last season. That’s normal. Focus on the process—good pre-shot routines, course management, staying present—and the scores will follow. Spring golf in Australia is too enjoyable to ruin by getting frustrated over a few rusty swings.

The beauty of spring golf is the promise it holds. Fresh starts, new goals, and those perfect mornings when the course is pristine and your playing partners are in good spirits. Do the preparation work now, and you’ll spend the next few months enjoying the best golf of your year rather than fighting your way back to competence.

See you on the course. Don’t forget the sunscreen.