Winter is Coming

[dru_]

Yeah, I know, it's not even truly fall yet, but mid 50's temps this morning reminded me that, yes indeed, the offseason is fast approaching, and now is the time to start making plans and setting some offseason goals.

 

A lot of that starts with looking at where I am and where I have come from in the last season.

 

Looking Back

 

Last year going into the fall, I hit my lowest handicap number ever at a 15.5 index with the August 15 revision. Going into September, I decided to use the winter to select, replace and test wedges because I simply wasn't happy with how what I was playing was performing. Being in the south, I was lucky enough to be able to play off and on all winter.  Conditions were swampy most of the winter though, and the scores reflected it.  By the time spring rolled around, I had settled the bag setup, but my game was a mess, with my index having floated up a 19.9 by the end of February.

 

At the same time, during the winter I had let some of my fitness slip. During the prior two years I had been training hard for marathons in addition to golf, but my winter training really came apart.  I had no big races scheduled. I was not 'enjoying' the run, I never really have. Weight climbed, strength went down, flexibility waned, and it showed. Badly. I was slacking off.

 

As April rolled around, I was getting off the tee well, struggling with my long fairways, killing the middle irons, and wanting to commit myself for the mistakes on everything inside of 100 yards, including the putting. The game was a mess, and I could get through a round without some physical discomfort (back ache, knees, hips, etc). 

 

Then it started to come back together. I was riding and running again. Scores, discomfort going down, consistency going up. At the end of May, I made the slightly crazy decision to sign up for a triathlon at the end of June. So into the pool I went, to build swim endurance and strength. The impact of that on golf was enormous though, as I was suddenly swinging more relaxed but with longer results. To the point that by the end of July I was seeing 3w distances in the 240+ range.

 

So here I am, back at the end of September looking at the season and looking forward.  

 

With the 09/15 revision, I hit an personal best of 14.9, and based upon the trending numbers, that number will drop to a 14.2 on 10/01. In the last 10 rounds, there is not a single round over 90, and only 3 of them are over 85 on courses that are rated to 129 and 135. So I am feeling good about the game, but I know there is more improvement on the table, and I know where to find it.

 

Setting New Goals

 

My overall goal hasn't changed. I want to get the index into single digits. My ancillary goals should help with that. Next monday, I register for the race that will keep me working all winter on fitness. I mentioned that the swimming, running and riding made a real difference, so I am going all in.

 

I have retained a coach, and will be racing Ironman Chattanooga in 2015. How does this effect golf?  it means that maintaining and adding fitness all winter, particularly in the pool which has so dramatically impacted my swing power and accuracy will be part of the regimen. In addition, golf is cross training. Walking 18 holes is an excellent recovery workout.

 

Which brings me to the point of the whole post.

 

Golf truly is a sport. While we can play it at any fitness level, no matter what our level is, there are ways that fitness ties directly to our golf games.  Core body strength and flexibility directly impact our ability to play the game, but also to enjoy it pain free.

 

So what I want to know is, how are YOU going use the offseason to improve your fitness for next season?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr_Theoo]

I have started going back to the gym. 8 have gained WAY too much weight since I started playing so while getting leaner I'll also be getting stronger.

 

I'm still taking lessons and work with my coach. Posture will be the main focus. Making sure I practice enough will be the biggest challenge. This past season has shown some flashes of greatness but nowhere near as consistent as I need to be. This winter will change that.

[hckymeyer]

Realistically, probably not much.  I don't drink nearly as much in the winter as I do during golf season, that will help.  I also play hockey again in the winter which is a great workout.  This being MN though I can pretty much tell you exactly how it will go. 

 

I started this season as a 6.2, played a few good rounds right away and got to a 5.9 on the 6/1 and 6/15 revisions.  Then went through a month where I completely forgot how to swing a club and went up to a 7.0.  The past month my game has completely come around and I've shot some of the best scores of my career.  I'm now a 5.8 and trending to stay there next revision.

 

My prediction is I will hang up the clubs sometime late Oct or early Nov for the season.  Starting in late Jan, early Feb I'll hit the simulator a few times to get ready for the season.  Then next season will be a very similar story to this one and the past several.  I'll be ok, have a rough month, then hit my stride once the weather starts to get crappy and I can't enjoy it as much.  Golf is definitely not like riding a bike, every spring it's like learning your game all over again.

[ZenGolfer]

I hang my clubs up for the winter and other than maybe ice skating/playing hockey at the local rink, I dont expect to do much to improve my game.

For me, winter is a time to take a break from golf so that I dont get burnt out on it during the summer.

[silver & black]

I work way too much during the Winter to work on golf. I average 60 - 70 hrs. a week from November to April/May. Any time I have is spent doing house work and necessary things...lol.

[GolfSpy Dave]

CA Winter+Drought=business as usual on the course. Maybe with a vest or beanie

[Quite_The_Chap]

I'm with Mr_Theoo, I'm back at the gym. Over the winter the goal is to produce some explosive strength and endurance as opposed to building up on size. I've developed a lovely "title belt" thanks to the summer beer that was consumed.

 

As for the golf itself, I'm going to sit back and assess each area of my game and put in some very specific range/putting green time based on what my assessment brings about. To add to that I'm going to focus on getting back to the basics- posture, grip, ball position, and basic drills to fine tune the swing.

 

Just writing this brings a tear to my eye knowing summer is over.

[Kenny B]

I'll put on an extra layer; maybe some rain pants and a warm hat. It's dry here so just cold. If it snows, we shovel the greens or blow it off with a leaf blower. Play six, go inside, get warm, repeat. Been doing it for years. The game is different on frozen ground.

[sp0rtsfan86]

I live in Arizona. Ive played when it hit 117 here. In winter it'll be perfect playing conditions. When I went to school in Mississippi, often the weather dictated how often I could play. The last winter was brutal, but two years ago was fine. In NJ it was the same thing, you played when you could and just tried to keep yourself from having to start from scratch.

 

This winter I'm just focusing on playing a bit more, and also working on trying to hit the ball higher.

[MattF]

I'm committing myself to using my garage range at least twice a week, just to try and groove/keep grooved a swing.

 

There is a course here that is open all year round, so there may be a possibility that I will get a couple of rounds in during the winter, depending on how cold it is.

 

I'm also looking at building my first set of irons and am trying to decide to keep the shafts I have and just change the heads or to go with graphite shafts...decisions, decisions.

[BK in TEXAS]

There's no off-season in Houston :D

[revkev]

No offseason in St. Pete either beyond the fact that it gets more expensive, more crowded and work for me is very tough much of the time from September until June.

 

I tend to play less and practice more in the winter season with my playing time coming when company is here - wink, wink, nod, nod to anyone who is reading this thread.

[dru_]

Rev, just keep the middle of May in mind :-)  I'll be organizing a game for a small group of people who will be visiting the area (Clearwater Beach Hilton to be exact). Probably about 8-10 of my favorite lawyers from around the country

[MattF]

Rev, just keep the middle of May in mind :-)  I'll be organizing a game for a small group of people who will be visiting the area (Clearwater Beach Hilton to be exact). Probably about 8-10 of my favorite lawyers from around the country

 

I'd take them shark watching without a cage.

[MattF]

There's no off-season in Houston :D

 

Get back under the house!

 

No offseason in St. Pete either beyond the fact that it gets more expensive, more crowded and work for me is very tough much of the time from September until June.

 

I tend to play less and practice more in the winter season with my playing time coming when company is here - wink, wink, nod, nod to anyone who is reading this thread.

 

February is still on!

[dru_]

I'd take them shark watching without a cage.

 

Nah, these are the good guys (mostly because they've paid the bills that keep my lights on for the last 20 years)...

[BogieMan]

As with a few other here, my season is just about done for the year. I am hitting the gym hard right now, trying to get into better shape (besides round!). I want to hit the indoor range as much as I can this winter. Its about 125 yards long by 50 to 75 yards wide, with a lot of targets. I can really work on my short and mid game there. My goal for next season is to beat my 18 hole best of 88. I have hit that number several times this year, but just cant manage to beat it. Here hoping the off season goes as planned. 

[Quite_The_Chap]

Is anyone using any specific drills in the off season to sharpen their game? What are they, I'm trying to bulk up my arsenal?

 

I've got a balance issue (even when I'm sober) so I'm going to religiously implement a couple balance drills into my practice routine.

[wbealsd]

I'm setup to practice my swing and use free weights over the winter in my "shop" and it looks like some folks I met this year at the country club I joined will be coming over to play a few rounds with my GC2 simulator.  I've got 5 courses, which I don't really use much practicing solo, but are fun when playing with friends.

 

I'm also going to schedule a bag fitting once the snow flies and the season is officially over, since my swing has changed after dislocating my left shoulder in June.