Like it or not winter is here. The days of playing golf in shorts late into the evenings seem a long way away, however It doesn’t have to be bad news. Rather than sticking the clubs away until April, why not use the winter as an opportunity to iron out those kinks in your game ready for that first weekend Medal in April? If you are going to brave the elements and continue playing this year, here are a few tips to get the most out of your game.
Having the correct clothing is essential. Playing golf in the winter doesn’t have to be cold. Purchasing some golf specific performance wear is a sound investment and will allow you to make good, unrestricted swings whilst keeping you warm at the same time.
The piece of winter clothing I would not be without is my ‘Under Armour Base Layer’. It keeps warm air very close to the body and as it is skin tight (don’t worry you wear it under other layers!) it allows you to make golf swings without restriction which can become more difficult under lots of layers.
There are many reasons how winter golf poses a different challenge. The conditions are more difficult, the ball doesn’t travel as far and you will often be hitting shots from dodgy lies (particularly around the green) to name a few.
Let’s be honest, the chances of you shooting your handicap regularly under lots of layers of clothes, in the wind and the rain when the ball doesn’t travel as far and when you are putting on greens that are often somewhat more bobbly than in the summer months are slim. So rather than get down and frustrated about it, set yourself a goal before each round that isn’t based on your overall result. This could be as simple as going through your pre shot routine before every shot, playing 18 holes without a 3 putt or seeing if you can navigate 18 holes without losing a ball.
Winter golf can be pretty unfair at times (I lost a ball under a pile of leaves just off the fairway last week!!) and setting yourself goals outside of the overall score is a great way to keep your mind focussed, avoid frustration and help you to enjoy your golf.
Throughout the winter, most golf courses will try to entice golfers to their club with reduced green fees and by often throwing in a free bacon roll and a cup of coffee.
Why not use this as an opportunity to test your game around some different courses. A new course will provide a fun challenge for your game and often will require you to play a variety of different shots that you may not play week in and week out.
A new challenge can often indicate areas of weakness in your game which not only ensures you have something to work on with your coach but also (assuming you choose to work on your weaknesses) makes your time spent at the range more worthwhile.
