Golf Tip: Winter Golf and Slow Play
Golf Tip: Three simple steps will speed up play, reduce the risk of injury, and maximize the fun of playing winter golf.
Winter has begun to settle in. Some of us have set our sticks aside until spring, but some of us are still at it, and now we’re moving into that golf season of rising handicaps and frustration levels, slower rounds, and an increased risk of injury.
Our balls are flying shorter and, because the air is cold and damp, our bodies aren’t as supple as we’d like. More shots are going right, out into the land of adventure golf, because we’re just a bit stiffer now as we fight the colder temperatures; and those balls are a bit more difficult to find and get back in play on that dormant short grass.
The group in front of you is holding up play because they’re looking for balls. Your body gets stiff while you wait in the cold. So your shots start flying off line as well. There’s more ball hunting.
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What can you do to minimize the Winter Golf Syndrome?
Warm-Up
First, take care of your body. Give your warm-up routine a little more attention. If you generally wait until you get to the course, start at home. A few stretches and a couple of sets of lunges will get your big muscles going. If you already warm up at home, add a rep to your routine.
At the golf course, spend a little more time on the range. Focus on your rotation. Again, get those big muscles working.
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Don’t neglect those little short shots and your putting. That’s where your muscles are likely to tighten up and fail you. Help your body remember what it needs to be doing for the next four or five hours.
During your round, get out of your cart and walk. Take turns with your cart mate. Alternate shots or holes, but get out of that cart and move. And when you find yourself stuck in the waiting mode, swing some clubs. Again, the guiding principle here is keep moving.
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Keep Your Ball Clean
Second, keep your ball clean. I know under the Rules of Golf you aren’t allowed to clean your ball until you get it on the putting surface, but we’re talking winter golf circumstances. If you’re playing golf now, and for the next 60-90 days, you’re going to be playing through muddy areas and hitting off hardpan. Your ball is going to get filthy, and then it’s not going to perform as well.
If you’re playing recreational golf, lighten up and clean your ball. Carry a small towel in your back pocket or one of those little ball cleaner pouches and get the clumps of mud off the poor thing before you hit it again.
In other words, it’s time for Lift, Clean and Place.
Club Up and/or Move Up
Third, use more club. If you find yourself coming up short on the first and second holes, that’s a sure sign you need to club up. Try an 8 or 9-iron instead of your pitching wedge. This will reduce your frustration level and simultaneously speed up the pace of play.
Your body isn’t failing you. Stop worrying about it and don’t fall into the trap of thinking if you just swing a little harder you can get it there. Your rational self knows that’s not the answer to this problem. Use more club and if you have the option, move up to the next tee box.
We’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves. Only the hardiest among us even venture out to the golf course now. The lesser mortals are sitting in front of their fireplaces and their television sets.
Next: Golf Tip: Avoiding the Dreaded 3-Putt
But we winter golfers are a special, tougher breed. We alone know the pleasure that comes from watching a ball fly through leafless branches and make it back to the fairway. We pause to look up and watch a huge flock of starlings moving rhythmically across the sky. We will play on. Fore!