Winter practice in the North

[Leek]

I hate to admit it, but while the forecast today is for the mid-90s in Ohio, winter is just around the corner. Usually, I put the clubs away for the winter in late November. I would like to really work on my game this winter so I can "hit the ground running" in spring.

Do any of you practice over the winter? If so, how do you do it? Where do you practice?

[Undr Par]

being just next door in PA from you I know about those COLD winters, but I normally don't put the clubs away for good, I pick the nice days (no lower then the 40's) and I go out then, the day light is what kills me (just enough light in the day come winter)

normally come winter I practice in my backyard with (believe it or not) Golf wiffle balls, they allow me to keep my swing going and also allows me some practice to keep me loose

[Mats++]

Since the only daylight up here in Sweden during the winter is when you work even if it was possible to be outdoors we can't see much. But we have a really good indoor training facility which I'm planning to use twice a month and probably doing som putting training at home.

[ClintonM3]

How do you guys feel about indoor golf range with launch monitors? The nearest one to me is an hour away, but I like that it is air conditioned/heated.

[Finn07]

How do you guys feel about indoor golf range with launch monitors? The nearest one to me is an hour away, but I like that it is air conditioned/heated.

Which one is that, im from Westchester as well...The one in Elmsford?

[soup]

Went and got a new set of clubs last week and the golf store had two simulators. The guy told me it's $40 an hour (so $10 each if you bring a foursome) and you can choose from 25 different courses to play - he said it takes about 2.5 hours for a foursome to get in 18. I hit a bunch of irons before buying using the simulator and it was a lot of fun. The guy told me they have regular foursomes show up once a week in the dead of winter to play - said they even show up with a cooler full of beer.

I'm definitely going to partake this winter instead of putting the clubs away.

[ClintonM3]

Which one is that, im from Westchester as well...The one in Elmsford?

Nah, the one in Elmsford is called Fairview. They do have heaters above the stalls.

The closest indoor golf facility is in Norwalk CT http://web.mac.com/emgentile/iWeb/pans/gtc/GTC.html

[Jeepthrills]

I'm fortunate that there are three "golf domes" within 20 minutes of my house. We try to get there at least a few times in the winter. The nicest one allows for shots of over 100 yards. It was also connected to a Golfsmith store. Unfortunately the store had a water main freeze and rupture while they were closed on a Sunday evening and the entire store flooded and they had to trash everything. They are not going to re-open that one as of now. I just hope the golf dome can sustain the reduced business as they were a sepperate company.

There is also Carl's Golfland. They are a huge off course golf store that has a large range. When it warms up enough they have about 20 heated stalls.

[Undr Par]

Went and got a new set of clubs last week and the golf store had two simulators. The guy told me it's $40 an hour (so $10 each if you bring a foursome) and you can choose from 25 different courses to play - he said it takes about 2.5 hours for a foursome to get in 18. I hit a bunch of irons before buying using the simulator and it was a lot of fun. The guy told me they have regular foursomes show up once a week in the dead of winter to play - said they even show up with a cooler full of beer.

wonder if there will be a wait on the tee box because of the 4some in front of you?

......... that sounds cool though..

[Leek]

I understand that some ranges have heated stalls where you are outdoors, hitting off of mats. Has anyone tried this?

Also, how do you practice short game and putting?

[Undr Par]

I understand that some ranges have heated stalls where you are outdoors, hitting off of mats. Has anyone tried this?

when I lived down in MD (before I was in to golf) there was a heated driving range down in Severna Park on mats (never tried it though) but heard it was sweet.

[Jeepthrills]

I understand that some ranges have heated stalls where you are outdoors, hitting off of mats. Has anyone tried this?

I have hit there on days where it was sub 40 and I was wearing a light pullover. Then again, I wear shorts to the course if it's above 45 and I wear shorts to work, I run a gym, until at least December 1. I also wear them at least 1 day per month year round. It's my weird way of not letting Mother Nature own me.

[Pete Beau]

We are like Jeepthrills, if it's upper thirties, sunny, and calm winds were golfing. There are times that we take a free drop due to casual snow. Hitting balls in a dome, ranges with overhead heaters, and a sports bar which has a simulator is also how we keep golfing.

Being involved in the golf industry, I can't believe how many people are already considering the golf season almost over. It's only Labor Day!! Geeez!

[thumper07]

well i work in the cold i and i play in the cold. i look at winter as my time to really tune up because there are no distractions when i am out in the winter(i.e. no people and no waiting). my current record is 23*, it was so cold i had to play with all irons because i couldn't put a tee in the ground. i play in snow, wind, and rain, and if it calls, all at once. it will take more than mother nature to keep my ass off the course !

-matt

p.s. BONUS! it is also alot cheaper!

[strangegrey]

Be careful swinging those clubs in really cold weather without stretching/warming up, etc.

I injured my back on a munitrack back in 2002...took me a year of not swinging a club to heal....just because I went out in early march in the snow!

[lamebums]

I hate to admit it, but while the forecast today is for the mid-90s in Ohio, winter is just around the corner. Usually, I put the clubs away for the winter in late November. I would like to really work on my game this winter so I can "hit the ground running" in spring.

I'm going to play anyway. Cold weather or not. I'll just put on two gloves and use steel shafted clubs (I heard graphite shatters in the winter?). Just use winter rules and find a course that's open.

[alf174]

I'll be using a Golf dome that I heard charges by the hour instead of the quantity. That and work trips to locations south.

[Leek]

Lots of great answers. How do you keep your short game sharp?