Winter withdrawal...how do you cope?

[cubdog]

Having recently moved from Denver to northern Illinois I'm wondering how you cold climate guys deal with the winter months and limited, if any, golf. The Denver climate was mild enough that courses stayed open and we could play year round. I live in a small town so I do not have access to indoor or heated ranges. I figure I have about a month tops to squeeze in a few rounds then what?

cubdog

[golf_junkie27]

I live in NY. There are a few courses that are opened year-round. I will continue to play as long as the weather is at least 30*-35* and little wind. Generally, there is no one out there so I can drop as many balls as I like. Granted, the greens will have a trampoline effect but it beats going to the range, especially when a round will only be a few bucks more than a bucket of balls.

[tonyy]

Same here, I'll play until there's snow on the ground. :p

Otherwise, Tiger Woods PGA Tour on the big screen it is.

[golf rules]

Snow Golf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wait for some ice on top of the snow, grab some old clubs, some yellow balls and hit the links!!!!!!!!

[wrx_junki]

Lucky enough to have heated golf ranges in my area.

You should definitely plan some golf vacations for the winter months. Maybe go find an open field and start hitting away?

[JerseyThursday]

  golf_junkie27 said:

I live in NY. There are a few courses that are opened year-round. I will continue to play as long as the weather is at least 30*-35* and little wind. Generally, there is no one out there so I can drop as many balls as I like. Granted, the greens will have a trampoline effect but it beats going to the range, especially when a round will only be a few bucks more than a bucket of balls.

You are way past my threshold for cold weather. Anything below 45° and I’m done. Hitting off brown frozen grass to a rock hard brown frozen green brings little enjoyment.

I guess I’m getting older and the joints aren’t as fluid as they used to be.

[Jay-Bird]

I went out the other day, it was 38 and windy. I played. Badly. I was the only one there. It's now officially too cold and rainy to play.

I have some nerf golf balls that i hit around the house with an old becu ping lob wedge...This is how I cope.

[cigarnut81]

I will be playing alot of Tiger Woods Pga Tour 2009 and working with the Tour Tempo Theory in the net. I am also going to build a custom fit club set for when the snow melts. Get on the trackman and build some nice stuff.

[Elvisliveson]

I set up a net in my garage. And I can swing a full length club (with no ball) in my living room, where I can also put because I installed commercial grade carpet. I swing a weighted half club in the office and practice short putts there too.

[denver_nuggs_15]

I'll pretty much play no matter what unless it's raining/pouring. I figure that if I can play well when it's not nice out then I can play better when it is nice. I also have a net set up to keep my swing in groove. I may try out for my high school team so I gotta drop 2 shots over the winter.

[Fat Slice]

I play in the rain, wind, and cold. First, I love to golf. Next, I think it makes be a better player in some ways working with the wind and discomfort and those distractions. Finally, I think it just toughens me up in general as I live a pretty soft life usually.

[Puttin4Bird]

  tonyy said:

Same here, I'll play until there's snow on the ground. :p

My exact thoughts. I occasionally venture down to Omaha, NE which while only 3 hours south of me sure seems to have a longer golf season. It's going to be 50 and sunny in Omaha tomorrow and here in Sioux Falls we just got a fresh coat of about 2 inches of snow today. I have some new irons coming tomorrow too, I'll definitely be hitting the indoor driving range/golf dome ASAP!

While on the calendar this weather is only as long (if not less) than the golf weather, but winter sure seems to crawl along compared to the split second it takes for summer to fly by!

[Baraethon]

Like some other people here, this is what I do in winter.

Net in garage.
Clubs.
Lots of golf balls.

I just practice and take lessons as much as I can. See if you have some indoor space you can fit a large net for hitting, it is really convenient.

[tm22721]

The next six months is peak season for me. The colder, the better. Fair weather types disappear the course is empty.

I especially look forward to February 30 degrees and > 20 MPH wind in the mountains more of a challenge.

[The Golfing Polack]

Another vote for Tiger Woods 09. It's already in the low 30s at night here. My teacher wants to play a round before the end of the season, but that's not looking great right now. Most of the courses close when it gets too cold because they don't want people tearing up stuff.

[-BAMA-]

  tm22721 said:

The next six months is peak season for me. The colder, the better. Fair weather types disappear the course is empty.

i concur. i love winter golf..... in both meanings of the word

(if you catch my drift)

[Henry]

There is one course near me that allows you to play in the snow as long as you have a yellow ball.

[schapman]

Right now it's driving range 3+ times/week and praying for a dry weekend day. (only 10% chance of rain this sunday yay!)

Twilight rounds are basically out now because it's dark by 4-4:30