how do you train for golf in the winter

^{Top 3 Ways to Practice Golf During Winter}

• Practice without hitting the ball. Some of golf’s most effective drills are conducted with no ball at all. ...
• Work on your short game. Most golfers neglect the area of the game in which it’s easiest to make improvement – and where most of your strokes take place.
• Review your stats. If you were diligent about keeping your statistics during the past season, now’s the time to review them for clues to fixing problem spots.

What is the best winter training for golf?

Your winter training for golf should include 3+ gym sessions per week including a combination of cardio and strength and conditioning. I recently signed up for a course of exercises from Golf Fitness coach, Michael Carroll, which is excellent. You can find it here and use the code GSOM20 to get 20% off.

How do I stay motivated to play golf in winter?

The easiest solution is to follow a winter golf training program that keeps you focused and active each week. It should include drills, stretching, workouts, and mental preparation. Following a winter golf program will keep you motivated and on-schedule so you have structure rather than relying on random days of practice here and there.

What is the best way to workout on the golf course?

While there are a number of pre-built golf workouts that are available to read online and golf books filled with specific exercise systems, the best approach is usually the simplest. Spending only a few hours in the week working on golf strength training will keep your schedule open and your time commitment low.

Should you follow a winter golf program?

Following a winter golf program will keep you motivated and on-schedule so you have structure rather than relying on random days of practice here and there. If you’re dedicated to the game and improving at golf, then you’ll use the off season winter time for building up your body, your mind, and your fundamentals.

1. Layer up

Don’t wear a bulky coat out to the course. Instead, insulate your body heat with a series of layers. A vest is one of my favorite layering pieces as it keeps my body warm without restricting my swing. Hoodies are perfect for this, too.

2. Hoof it

I walk about 90 percent of the time I play, but in the winter it’s critical. Walking is an easy way to keep you warm between shots, plus you get your steps in for the day.

3. Warm your hands

Feel is a crucial part of golf, and it all starts in your hands, so you’ve got to keep them warm in the winter. Pack a pair of mittens to wear between shots or slip some hand warmers in your pockets. Whatever your preference, just remember to keep the blood flowing through your extremities.

4. Pack a hat

Make sure to keep your head warm, too. Throw a knit cap in your bag and pull it out when the weather gets really bad. It’s about function over fashion during the winter.

5. Club up

The ball will not travel as far during the winter, so don’t be afraid to swallow your pride and club up. If you try to hit the same shots you’d hit during the middle of the summer, you’re in for a long day. Winter golf is a different game, and you should treat it as such.

6. Tee it forward

Don’t be afraid to move up a tee box (or two). Playing the same tee box that you would during the summer is only going to make things more difficult. If you want to make birdies during the winter, you’re going to need to play a shorter course.

7. Mix it up

Winter golf is a great opportunity to hone your shotmaking ability. The conditions will be tough, so your stock driving-range shots aren’t likely to be effective. Get creative with your shots as you battle the elements. Come spring, your game will be much more well-rounded.

1. Evaluate and Reflect on 2019

The off season is a good time to reflect and evaluate your golf season. What did you learn about the effectiveness of your practice and play? What went well? Let’s celebrate your most successful rounds and moments and figure out what you need to work on to make 2020 even better.

2. Set Goals for 2020

What do you want to achieve next year and how are you going to achieve it? What is your purpose for achieving those goals? Make sure there is no “extrinsic” motivation (to please or impress others) and it’s all “intrinsic” (you mastering your own game).

3. Start a Golf specific fitness regime

Getting in the gym will help your golf game in a number of ways: First, golf is a game that is quickly becoming about power and distance, so if you don’t currently have a golf specific fitness regime, you’re losing out on increased distance and the longevity of being able to play the game at a high level for longer (especially if you’re over 40).

4. Improve Your Concentration

In today’s fast paced “information age” and our connection to our mobile devices – we’re constantly distracted. Our minds are always agitated which is making us more and more stressed and it affects our ability to focus, relax and sleep.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Another word you’re probably hearing more often, is “Mindfulness”. But what does it mean? Phil Jackson, former coach of the Chicago Bulls, said that teaching his players mindfulness helped the team win 11 NBA titles. Essentially, “Mindfulness” means being more comfortable with your thoughts and feelings.

6. Make gratitude a daily habit

Studies show that an “attitude of gratitude” can have a positive affect on our mental health. Focusing on things that you are grateful for is the opposite of focusing in things that you are stressed about. Grateful people tend to be happier and more optimistic (they expect good things to happen).

7. Educate yourself

The winter is a great time to read and increase your knowledge. Here are some books and programs, that will help you prepare for the new year.

How to train for golf at home: Equipment

You don’t need to spend fortunes on equipment to see the benefits, especially if you’re a newbie to fitness or are coming back to it after a long layoff.

How to train for golf at home: The benefits

There are a number of benefits to training at home as opposed to a gym.

Step 1

Work on strength and flexibility during the winter. Pro golfers such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson often use the offseason to improve their physical conditioning. That alone won't improve your golf swing, but losing some weight and adding muscle can help you avoid injury and play better overall when the weather improves.

Step 2

Find an indoor driving range to escape the cold. Practicing shots in a heated, domed facility is an option during winters in some cold weather areas.

Step 3

Swing a weighted club in your garage if an indoor driving range isn't an option.

Step 4

Work on your grip indoors. If necessary have a professional golf instructor show you a proper grip, or buy a club at your local golf store with a training grip attached. Keep the club inside your house during the winter and work on your grip several days a week.

Step 5

Practice golf at courses that are open during the winter. The Chicago area, for example, has some of the harshest winters in the country, yet some golf courses remain open year-round.

Step 6

Get outside into your backyard on a nice winter day if golf courses or driving ranges are not an option. Swing a golf club 100 times without hitting any balls. Practice each swing as if it were the real thing.