The snow will melt, with copious puddles as the only evidence of anything unusual. Trees whose branches were long barren will soon sprout new leaves. Familiar animals will emerge from hiding or hibernation, from certain birds to squirrels to mosquitos. Winter will turn to spring, and so much will return with it.
Last winter, we gave pre-season advice for golf course maintenance . This one is for the players who are eager to hit the courses once they are no longer blanketed in white. You do not have to wait for the start of the spring golf season to keep honing your skills. We will show you how to prevent yourself from getting rusty over the winter.
Practice Putting at Home
Whether the range is buried, the club is closed, or the temperature is just too low, you may not play proper golf for a while. However, aspiring pros and dedicated hobbyists can still work on their game from the comforts of home. They just need a little creativity.
Putting is an easy skill to work on away from any course. Just place a cup on the floor, line up a ball, and try to ease it in with a tap of the club. Do not worry about the differences in the experience. What matters is getting that practice in and retaining your muscle memory.
Work on Your Big Swings, Too
The same principle applies just as much to the big swings that send the ball soaring over the field. You should not send it soaring when you have a ceiling over your head. Put the ball away, grip your club tight, and take imaginary whacks.
If you are concerned about hitting furniture or destroying loose objects at home, your local sports store may help. Some locations offer spaces that allow for wide-arced swinging. They may even offer access to swing monitor devices, which provide stats that help you assess and improve your game.
Hone Your Chip Stroke
The pre-season does not have to be a time of idleness. Far from getting rusty, you can use the time to improve upon any weak points. For example, many people struggle to consistently pull off-chip strokes. You can take this time away from competitions to hone the skill at home.
Our advice is to set up a towel in an open enough space — a long hallway free of valuables, perhaps, or a garage. Place your tee as many yards away as you want, then stroke away. See how much altitude you can get. Moreover, check the towel each time to see if your shots are straight.
Look for Indoor Ranges
Not everyone is comfortable with swinging their clubs inside the house. We would say that it beats driving in a field-wide snow trap. If you have the itch, though, you may be in luck. There are indoor golf courses out there, happily servicing players without having to close due to winter weather.
These facilities come in a few different kinds. Some let you stand in one shaded spot and launch balls across a long-range. Others offer virtual golfing experiences. They may not be as common as regular greens, but there just might be one in your area. You will never know unless you try.
Stretch to Stay Flexible
Prepping for spring golf is not just about maintaining your swing. It is also about keeping your body in shape. Taking holiday breaks from regular exercise may be tempting, and it is valid. However, it may leave you feeling even rustier when the season starts.
Flexibility is highly important for any golfer. Those who can reach further back and arc their arms further out can hit harder, higher, and better. Staying lithe can be as simple as a few minutes of stretching every day. When the time comes, your body will be grateful for each toe-touch, lunge, and squatted shoulder squeeze.
Build Up Your Back Muscles
If golfers should work out any part of their body, they should develop their back muscles — especially the upper back. They stretch and get exerted most as you pull back your club. The stronger they are, the greater the release will be, the more distance you can cover in one shot.
The few months between the sporting seasons are more than enough time to build up your biceps and lats. Lifting weights while maintaining good posture can help, as can a daily regimen of pull-ups. We also advise working out the quadriceps on the lower back. Wall slides can help a great deal.
Do Not Expect Peak Performance
Keeping up with golfing practice at home and staying in shape can keep your performance from plummeting when the pre-season ends. However, there is no perfect substitute for time spent on the range itself, honing your skills as you drive down the green. No matter how much work and practice you put in during the winter, you can expect to still feel rusty in your first spring golf games.
On the plus side, everyone else will be just as rusty. If you take all our advice, you may come off much better than your fellow players. As you return to your regular schedule, your performance will go back to normal. With all the effort made during the pre-season, it may get better than ever before.
Stock Up on Fresh Spring Golf Gear
Working on yourself is crucial in the lead-up to spring golf. Just as important, though, is maintaining the quality of your equipment. This needs replacement.
If anything you own will hamper your performance even further, do not wait for the snow to melt. You can replace them right away and be properly prepared with help from Tackimac. Our virtual golf shop is home to a wide range of excellent equipment, all brand-new and waiting for you. We deliver in all conditions, so shop with us today and get back to perfecting your golf game right away.