I know many fair-weather golfers who proudly declare that they put their clubs away in September and don’t come back out again until April. Winter golf is not for them and I can understand their reasons when you have to battle the elements and wear so many clothes. Golf can feel like a sport to be endured rather than enjoyed.
Being realistic, if you live in the UK and want to get value from your annual membership, you need to embrace the elements and keep playing. So let me try and change your perspective on winter golf by taking a closer look at many of the common gripes.
Weather And Course Conditions
Yes it’s cold, wet and miserable, but that doesn’t mean your golf has to be. If there is only one weather element you are dealing with, you can prepare for it and still enjoy a great game of golf. Cold – wear extra thin layers. Raining – umbrella, extra towels and a rain glove. Slippy – wear golf shoes with soft spikes for more grip.
After a summer of golf enjoying bouncing and rolling drives, wet golf courses can be a shock to the system too. ‘Surely I hit the ball further than this?’ It’s a reality check, but it’s not all bad. If you had trouble getting your ball to land and stay on the green you are going to love winter golf, where you can now fly the ball at the flag without fear of a hard bounce.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Daylight Hours
I know many people struggle to find time to play golf during winter months due to the reduced hours of daylight, so golfers need to plan more strategically. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to play all 18 holes. An hour playing a few holes and enjoying it is far more important than getting cold or getting caught up in slow weekend play. Look at when your course has quieter times, and if you can get out then, go for it!
(Image credit: Carly Frost)
Golfers Are Made In The Off-Season
Are you struggling with a persistent bad shot or having trouble with your swing? Now is the time to get some serious practice in and make changes. Many PGA professionals offer winter training programs or lesson packages. Have a lesson and set yourself some targets to work on over the winter.
I’ve seen golfers transform their swings through the cold months by incorporating one or two purposeful practice sessions during a week. To improve your game doesn’t mean hours of hitting balls, it’s all about making marginal gains that will compound to big improvements through the winter months.
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Latest from Golf Monthly in Features…