Bad weather... anyone have a good indoor setup for practice?

[cstorms]

I am going to be stuck inside for a while because of bad weather. I was just wondering if anybody has an indoor setup for just practicing their swing... nothing fancy, just somewhere to hit some balls without worrying about hurting a passerby. What do you guys recommend? I have heard a simple canvas tarp will do the trick, but figured I'd post this and hope for some good suggestions. I have a fairly large basement where I am planning on doing this. Thanks!

[bogeyhitter25]

This winter I'm thinking of maybe getting a practice mat (not the cheap driving range ones, the ones with the almost real looking "grass"), and a net. I have a shed that's easily big enough to swing. Only thing is when it's 20* outside, it'll be close to that in the shed.

[CalBoomer]

In my family room at night, I use the glass door windows as mirrors for checking my swing plane and general body stance.

[cstorms]

This winter I'm thinking of maybe getting a practice mat (not the cheap driving range ones, the ones with the almost real looking "grass"), and a net. I have a shed that's easily big enough to swing. Only thing is when it's 20* outside, it'll be close to that in the shed.

yea i am considering one of those grassy mats as well... are those nets the best option out there?

[Uber$winG]

I am going to be stuck inside for a while because of bad weather.

Are we supposed to have a harsh winter this year? I think winter out here is pretty mild (I grew up in New England). Last winter I was able to get to the range (I practice at Fitzsimons) at least twice a week.

[kpaulhus]

This winter I'm thinking of maybe getting a practice mat (not the cheap driving range ones, the ones with the almost real looking "grass"), and a net. I have a shed that's easily big enough to swing. Only thing is when it's 20* outside, it'll be close to that in the shed.

Small space heater could get that shed into the 60's? I would imagine if you hit enough it would keep your body warm.

[WUTiger]

Several years back, you could buy these computerized golf ball tracker modules for maybe $500. You hit the ball - on a tether? - and it gave you feedback on the loft and shape of the shot.

I saw it in a custom golf club shop. Owner used it for club-fitting. I saw them on sale here and there, but never bought one.

Does anybody remember these items, and know if new and improved versions are available for less then the cost of a car? Couple this with an indoor net, and you might have a nice set-up.

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Also, does anybody know if indoor computer-screen "golf courses" are still around? These systems used the layout of famous courses to create a cyber-golf experience.

The computer would flash the image of a fairway, and you would tee off on astroturf mats. The computer would track where your ball went, flash up an appropriate image of the green in the distance - or trees blocking your path to the green in the distance - and you would hit your approach.

Once on the green, you then received instruction on how long your putt was, and putted on a rug. I can't remember what they did for sand shots.

You could play a round of cyber-golf in about 90 minutes.
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For winter golf, I mostly just wait for an occasional warm day, and shift to more conditioning workouts at the gym. I also do indoor swing drills and motion checks which others have mentioned.

[cstorms]

Are we supposed to have a harsh winter this year?

Uber I'm not in Colorado anymore, that is probably throwing you off.. I'm in Nantucket, MA getting hit by hurricanes and tropical storms!

[TMburner09]

I have a pretty big basement so I usually just put a trashcan at the other end and lob practice balls into it,for putting I just bought a cheap auto putt return from dicks sporting goods. I would really like to buy one of those driving mats and nets to put in the garage but the weather has been decent enough not to force me into buying anything just yet...

[jest]

I have a partially finished upstairs and I got a good driving net. I can't hit woods but I can hit all my irons. I also bought a good mat to hit off of. Here in KY we can usually play year round, if you don't mind the 40's temperature wise. but it is great to go upstairs and swing a few when weather or boredom come calling.