I can say with certainty that ALL golfers want to improve their golf game. This is especially true of people who really love golf, but can’t play well at all.
Yet, few golfers actually do what it takes to get better. I can say with certainty that this is true of 99% of golfers.
As I write this, the cold of Winter has descended upon Maryland. A look at the forecast suggests there is no end in site to the cold weather.
This is in contrast to the last few years in which we’ve experienced mild Winters, interspersed with a few snow storms.
As a result of those mild winters, opportunity to at least get out and hit a few balls has been relatively plentiful.
I don’t see that being the case this year, except for the sturdy die hard who is willing to brave 35 degree weather to hit a bucket.
In my adult years, I haven’t been that type of golfer. Fair weather only for me!
This does not mean I don’t work on my game. There are so many other ways to improve your golf game without heading to the golf course or driving range.
Improve your golf fitness
For me, during the Winter months, most of my game improvement is focused on improving my fitness to play the game.
At 52 years old, I’m pretty beat up from the wear and tear I’ve built up through playing golf, skiing, swimming and martial arts. My work as an appraiser sitting in front of a computer for years hasn’t helped either.
As a result, I find myself working harder than ever to work on my overall fitness. I incorporate strength training and cardio training into my routine, but really need to focus more attention on my flexibility.
Most golfers can benefit significantly from improving their fitness. The golf swing is a complicated move that requires a certain amount of strength and suppleness.
Sam Snead maintained his competitiveness at an elite level into his 60’s because he remained very fit. In 1974, at age 62, he finished 3rd in the PGA Championship, behind only Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus!
The fact is, as you get older, you have to work harder on your fitness, or your skills will decline.
A great overall fitness program I recommend is P90X. The workouts can be difficult, but they can be modified to work around any issues you may have. The program includes strength training, cardio workouts, stretching, core training and even Yoga. You can pick it up at Amazon here…P90X DVD Workout – Base Kit
Work on your putting
EVERY golfer can lower their scores through improved putting. This is especially true of golfers who can’t break 80.
I can’t think of a single golfer with a handicap over 3 that can putt like a tour pro. This is one area where golfers can lower their scores fast.
You can work on your putting any time, anywhere. The Winter months should be used to develop a reliable putting stroke and to build confidence on your short putts.
There is really no excuse to not work on your putting virtually every day. Seriously, just 10 to 15 minutes per day will do wonders for your putting.
If you don’t have an indoor putting mat, I highly recommend the Big Moss putting mat. You can store it anywhere after use. It rolls very smooth and to a stimp reading of about 12.
The Big Moss putting mat I have at home is the Augusta version. You can pick one up here … Big Moss putting greens.
Edge Rail and Putting Mirror
To work on improving your putting stroke, I highly recommend the Eyeline Golf Edge Rail and Mirror putting system.
This putting system will help you develop a consistent, reliable stroke, and improve your alignment.
Improve your golf swing
If you are already relatively fit and flexible, then you should also be able to make improvements to your golf swing, indoors.
No, you don’t need a golf simulator, although that would certainly be beneficial!
All you really need to improve your golf swing during these cold Winter months are a couple mirrors. Actually, one will do.
Slow motion golf swings in front of a mirror will help you improve your swing mechanics. Hank Haney related that Tiger Woods often spent hours ingraining swing changes by doing just this.
Understandably, you don’t have hours to do this, but my guess is you can find five or ten minutes in your schedule to rehearse your golf swing…at home or at the office. Just be sure you already have a plan in place for improving your golf swing.
Focused Golf Practice
For those of you who are lucky enough to be living somewhere where it is warm and sunny, get out there and practice!
But, when you do get out and practice, make sure you have a plan. You need a long range plan, a short range plan, and a daily practice plan for improvement.
It makes no damn sense to just go to the driving range and beat balls without an idea of what you want to work on.
Likewise, it makes no sense to just go to the practice green to putt or work on your short game without an idea of what you need to work on, and a way to really focus.
When you practice, you need to challenge yourself to simulate conditions on the golf course as much as possible.
You can do this by creating some practice games for yourself, setting up some challenges and keeping score, or competing with a friend or two.
Get to it!
If you are not improving, you are getting worse. That is just a fact. The aging process will do that to you. So, if you want to be a better golfer, you’ve got to do what it takes.
In this regard, you may need to adopt that warrior mentality….eat, sleep, drink golf.
Realistically, I don’t expect many people to do that.
With that said, there’s no reason you can’t develop a long range plan for improvement that incorporates everything I’ve mentioned in this post.
To become a better golfer, you need to go the extra yard, but it doesn’t mean you need to give up your job or your social life.
You simply need to understand what you need to do to get better, and be smart about your practice. You can literally become a better golfer by just devoting 15 minutes per day to working on your game (improving your fitness takes a bit more effort).
Now, get to work!
