Winter Practice Plan

[ChappyEight]

I'm working on my fitness, don't really have time to go to a gym but I've taken up cycling and it's helping me to shed some weight.  So, I have a decent winter fitness plan in place.

 

Where I'm a bit lost, as someone who's never had formal golf instruction (aside from a 6 lesson stint 8 years ago), is what exactly to do during the winter golf-wise.  So, I have access to an indoor putting/chipping facility and heated hitting bays.  Further, there is a new TopGolf going in nearby. 

 

My thought is that I would try to get to one of these facilities 3 times a week throughout the winter.  However, I'm not sure what to do when I'm there.  I'm an 18 handicap and need to work on more consistent ball-striking (eliminating tops/duffs) and obviously a plethora of short-game issues.

 

Cruising the interwebs, I found http://golfpracticeguides.combut it seems a bit spendy.  What I like about it is the worksheets it provides because, as someone who has limited time during the week, worksheets would help me stay on point.

 

What do you all think?  Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

Chappy

[BigtazzGolf]

Myself, my plan will be to hit a bucket to warm up and make sure things are going where they should be going.

Then focus on wedges and chipping.

Won't focus on scoring again till spring. Just wedges and putting.

Throw in new grips around January or February and get ready to start the season over again.

 

BigTazz

Grip in Rip it

Chicks dig the LONG ball!

[ddryan]

There are quite a few links under the "MyGolfSpy University" that can provide a great deal of reading, some videos, and links to other sites which may be of use.

 

I am a firm believer in working consistently with an instructor.  Most local muni's and even many community colleges have programs, usually not very expensive (golf is not a cheap sport, after all) that can really make a difference. 

 

Trying to analyze and correct your own swing is like trying to perform an appendectomy on yourself.  Just not a great idea, and results often reflect that. 

 

In the end, set a goal, work toward that goal and (IMHO) work on one part at a time-  Putting and Short game make up a significant part of the course- get them down first.  Then work short irons (easier to hit chips, pitches, longer wedge shots) then into mid irons.  As your natural swing develops, the longer clubs (mid irons, hybrids and woods) become that much easier to figure out. 

 

And, feel is a very important part of this game-  and you develop feel in the short clubs and putter- and can work backwards from there.

 

So, this advice is worth what you paid for it, but hope it helps!

[Kenny B]

As someone whose been through what you are probably going through right now, I would say spend time with flexibility exercises.  You can look up golf related flexibility programs; Roger Fredericks is golf oriented, not all that expensive.

 

As far as golf goes, I would take this opportunity to find a local instructor.  A few lessons will highlight areas for you to concentrate on over the winter.  Since you have access to indoor stations, I think it's important to work correctly rather than just hitting balls and possibly grooving a bad habit.  As others have said, practice putting and short game.

[TBT]

I plan on really working on fitness and stretching during the cooler months. Here is Southeast Texas we really don't have a true winter or an "offseason" but because the days or shorter I tend to play a little less.

 

TopGolf is great with a bunch of guys over beers, but I wouldn't consider it a real practice facility other than you can hit full swing clubs. The balls are limited flight and the mats are very forgiving....but it will help you keep moving and keep your golf muscles in shape.

[TSauer]

I like the idea of the worksheets. Before the start of this season, I told myself I was going to take the game very serious and stick to a practice routine. Unfortunately, that didn't happen as I would have liked. I still practice, and my game definitely developed, but not near what I wanted to. I think from here on out, I will be doing nothing but practicing, until winter rolls around. I will play an occasional round, but will focus 80% on practice.

 

There isn't anywhere to hit the ball come winter here in Missouri, but I can sometime sneak out during November-January when the crazy Missouri weather gets a little warm in snowy months. I told myself I was going to do some reading and try and "reinvent" my swing. Like you, I need lots of short game work. Hopefully a little time off will help come next season.

[Flipper554]

I'm going to do the same thing I do every winter. Try to take over the world. That or just fitness and flexibility. The off season here is about three and a half months, which is a good break. I have an indoor putting green so just rolling balls is all I ever do golf wise.

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

Winter????

[MattF]

Winter????

 

You get back under the house! 

[cnosil]

I will continue to play as long as the temps get to about 40*. Focus will continue to be putting since it seems to be going in the wrong direction and pitching. I wish I had a way to do putting distance control indoors; just need to go to a practice green to work on 20+ footers. Practice will have to be a weekend thing due to how fast it gets dark after the time change.

[Canucklehead]

What would be considered golf related for me would be fitness and flexibility. Once the white stuff starts flying up here, I put the clubs away, and dust off my hockey sticks and bowling shoes. Don't look at them again until March, when I'll usually go to an indoor place a few times to get loosened up for April when the courses start opening. Though the gf got a putting strip a few months ago so I may be rolling the rock a little

 

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