keeping sharp over the winter

[uppi]

This is more for the cold weather people, but when winter comes along, what do you do to keep your swing sharp. I have been working my arse off this year after a 5 year layoff due to college, etc and am finally getting my swing to where I want it to be (it took me 3 full months of frustration and suffering). I know we are only halfway through the golf season, but I am already starting to think about carrying over this play through to next year. I am worried that I am going to lose a lot of what I gained and come spring next year I am going to have to go through all this again just to get back to this point (maybe not as bad but I am hoping to come back next season and pick up almost right were I left off this year, hopefully around and 8-9 HCP by seasons end). What does everyone else do to keep the game sharp?

[deronsizemore]

I putt a lot in the house although I'm not sure how sharp that keeps my putting. I'm going to really try to hit the range at least once a week during the winter this year. A range here has heated stalls (outside with a heater overhead and walls on each side) to hit from and while it's still not warm, it should be warm enough to keep the swing in shape as long as it doesn't dip below 40, then it's probably too cold.

[PiKapp23]

One trick I do for when it's really too cold to play is go to Golf Galaxy and hit on simulator. It's not a perfect way to do it, but at least it helps with muscle memory retention. I just usually go in when it's not busy and hit irons and/or driver like mine for a while. No one bothers me. I have spent over an hour before doing this. In fact, I fixed a long time ballstriking issue last winter on the simulator and my game has improved because of it.

My friends and I also play down to around freezing temperatures. One friend is talking about setting up this old barn on his property to use during winter for hitting by putting in a net, buying a mat covering up the cracks in walls, and buying an indusrial heater. It'll still be cold, but it's better than nothing. I know some people who use their garages like this too, even if you just pull the car out long enough to hit some balls.