How do you keep your golf game in shape in the winter season?

[ScottyCameron]

Any thoughts?

[titaniummd]

Any thoughts?

When I lived in Maryland, I practiced with my hinged clubs and practiced putting with an indoor trainer.

Now that I live in Florida, I dress a little warmer and go out to the range 5 / week. But I concentrate on putting, chips, sand and wedges mostly. I do a half of a bucket of even or odd numbered clubs.

[Yanks Fan]

I just hope that its a mild winter and hope for "warm" days.

Played today in a brisk 35 degrees with some wind. Won't do that again.

[jambalaya]

I live in Columbia, SC. I just play golf.

[PiKapp23]

First, I play if there isn't snow on the ground (at least down to about 20* or so). The colder it gets the closer tees I play and I just try to swing a little easier, while maintaining tempo.

Second, I try to go to heated range or go to Golf Galaxy and 'test' out new clubs on golf simulator as a way of just keeping the swing working. I go there almost every weekend and sometimes I'll spend 45 minutes to an hour just 'testing' clubs (usually used clubs or their testing/fitting clubs so I do not even need the staff to do anything).

Third, I have a weighted club (with very short shaft) that I practice swinging at home. I also practice putting and short chips almost everyday at home as well.

Fourth, I try to get a golf trip to the south (Myrtle Beach/Santee), although that doesn't happen every year.

[cigarnut81]

I will use Appletons Rum,Pacifico or Pilsner Urquell, and Tiger Woods Pga Tour 2009.
We have a mat and net at work so I hit balls into it during breaks.

[thumper07]

put on an extra layer and go play, golfer's crack me up, this is an outdoor sport. i mean if a course is open than its playable. i played in a tropical storm earlier this year, drenching rain and about 40-50 mph wind. i play in anything.

-matt

[gsu_paintballer]

Play golf.

I live in Georgia

[mako224]

I swim laps. I try to get in 1000 yards at least 4 times a week durring the cold months. I continue to play golf as much as I can and hit the range a couple times a week. I hit 4 buckets of balls and played 9-holes today. It was 34 degrees when I left the house to go to the course. My biggest problem in the winter isn't the cold, its the lack of daylight. I don't mind playing in the cold.

[Chas]

Play golf.

Ditto for San Diego. I prefer playing in the winter months because 1) it's too hot for my liking during much of the summer, and 2) courses are less busy when there's even the slightest threat of rain around here (which doesn't happen very often unfortunately).

[Magnus]

put on an extra layer and go play, golfer's crack me up, this is an outdoor sport. i mean if a course is open than its playable. i played in a tropical storm earlier this year, drenching rain and about 40-50 mph wind. i play in anything.

It's 19 degrees and there is 8" of snow on the ground. If the damn snow would just melt...I'd be out there! I too will play in anything, but for now they have a pretty impressive Golf Dome at the local Indian Casino - staff of pro's and sandtrap area, putting greens, etc. It's not the real thing, but it'll do for the next 3 months.

[cubdog]

I'm just hoping for a mild winter. I got 27 holes in today. Had the course to myself.

cubdog

[MiniMoe]

The course I play on might be closed 10 days/year. During my "winter" break, I drink more beer so I don't lose my edge.

[ebough]

I moved to California.

[PEZGolf]

Here in Upstate New York, it is a challenge. I work out at the YMCA in Little Falls, and have a personal trainer. Together, we have come up with a schedule for exercises specific for golfers. The emphasis is on the core muscles, and some strengthening of the arms and shoulders. In addition, I do a vigorous cardio-vascular workout with lots of basketball for the running.

I give golf lessons at the "Y" and before and after, hit plastic golf balls in the gym, which means I get a complete view of the ball flight (better than hitting into a net). Finally, we have two locations nearby with golf simulators. I go to one or the other at least twice a month. Usually, I have the machines set for driving range, and just hit balls.

Hey, I figure that the following golfers came out of the North, and did pretty well, so that encourages me: Jack Nicklaus (Columbus, Ohio), Fred Couples, Wayne Levi, Dottie Pepper (Saratoga Springs, NY), Patty Sheehan (Maine), Walter Hagen (Rochester, NY), Tom Watson, Joey Sindelar, Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, Steve Stricker, etc.

[golf_junkie27]

My range has heated stalls so it's pretty convenient to practice.

I'll play in anything as long as the wind is not howling. I will not play, though, immediately after the snow clears, though. It's like playing on concrete and that's not fun.

[mkrolewski]

What practicing indoors can one do?

What about practicing besides the driving range?

Does anyone use putting tools like the putting tracks or (I think) golfPutt 10 foot adjustable surface putting green?

What about hitting cages? What do you do to determine if your swing is correct/off? I am thinking p3proswing or Pure Launch.


What about continuing practice during the season. I guess I am comparing to other sports. When I ran (years ago ), I ran/practiced every day, 7 days a week for years on end. I raced at most weekly. Practice was often miles more than my race distance and took more time to perform. The same could be said for playing tennis. Practice was extensive and every day. Real matches/competition was infrequent and shorter duration.

What I hearing from most golfers, is practice is an occassional deal. Avid players play more often, not practice more often. Ignoring professionals who do practice, what is everyones practice regime -- not just in winter but year round? Should we have a continuous practice regime? Assuming you do not have continuous access to practice facilities, what do you do?

[RocketSauce]

its not a problem for us in Florida. i dont know how you northerners go for so long without playing. it would drive me NUTS! today it is partly sunny and 75º here with 11 days until Christmas. although i didnt play today, i did yesterday and it was just as nice. I just wouldnt be able to handle not playing for months at a time....