This golf blog, "Ways to Improve Your Golf Game During the Off-Season" is a guest post by Matt Mascarenas (bio below). Thanks for the insight Matt!
The season is winding down and most golfers will be putting their
clubs away for the winter but many players aren't considering the importance of off-season
training. Sure, playing golf through the snow is next to impossible, however,
if consistent progress is important to you, taking time off is not an option.
Working on your game over the winter will give you the spring edge; you'll be ahead
of where you let off in fall, you'll eliminate the early season slump, and your
friends who took the winter off will be struggling to keep up!
Here are a few golf tips to keep you golf-ready when the fairways turn green again:
1. Set Goals
It's important to have a clear perspective on where your game stands at
the end of the season. You'll need to be able to identify your strengths and
weaknesses before you can set future goals. The first thing I do entering the
off-season is to review last year's goals.
- Did I meet the previous year's goals?
- What did I do right?
- What areas of my game was I performing poorly?
2. Exercise
Every new golf season starts with optimism and excitement; that
fades once you get on the golf course and realize you're lacking in physical
ability. You haven't fully lost your game, but the winter break has definitely
taken its toll.
Exercising during the winter is extremely important — not just
to stay in shape, but to get into better shape. Improving your fitness will
benefit your golf swing, add distance to your hit, lower stress and improve thinking
skills. We all know that the mental aspect of golf is just as important as the
physical aspect — keeping a clear and healthy mind is key.
Set up a fitness plan for yourself and stick to it. Even exercising a
couple times a week will put you ahead of the golf curve, assuring that your
progress from the previous season doesn't go to waste.
3. Practice Indoors
Putting is one of the easiest skills to improve during the
winter. I keep a putting space set up at home and at the office and make a
regular habit out of putting throughout the day. This will help improve putter
face alignment, routine, and eye position — all critical techniques to master
on your way to a better score.
Practicing your full swing in the house can be a little more
challenging if you have low ceilings like I do. Many sports clubs now offer golf simulators to practice on while the green is covered in snow. Not only are
they realistic, but they offer measured data on your swing speed, ball flight,
trajectory and spin ratio. Golf simulators also allow you see the distance and shape of
your shot so you can keep track of your progress leading up to the next season.
4. Book a Trip With Friends
Book a golf trip with your friends. This is a great opportunity
to keep yourself practicing without having to practice discipline. My friends
and I plan a trip every January to escape the snow and get
back on a real course. This has helped me extend the season in my mind, knowing
that the final game of my season is right before the next one begins. More
importantly, it keeps golf alive for us during the off-season.
Guest Post Author Bio
This
article is work of Matt Mascarenas from TruGolf.com. Matt is an avid Golf
enthusiast and spends all of his time on the course. When he’s not working on
his fairway shot, you will find Matt writing about his passion for the process
of the game.
How Do You Keep Your Golf Game in Shape During the Winter?
Comment below in this golf blog and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.
How Do You Keep Your Golf Game in Shape During the Winter?
Comment below in this golf blog and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.
