Three Ways to Get Better at Golf During Winter

For much of the world, outdoor golf has ended for the year.

In the United States, 40 state and regional golf associations have already ended their active score posting seasons. Across large parts of the world, golf’s off-season has officially begun. 

Now is the time to buckle down and get ready for the next season. From weekend warriors to high-level amateur competitors, there are plenty of steps that can be taken during the winter to improve your season next year.

Are you looking to break 90 next year? Or are you starting to get serious about competitive golf and want to fix a nagging swing issue? Regardless of your skill level, there are plenty of options to make the most of your off-season and turn your next season into your best one yet.

Taking golf lessons during the winter will pay dividends next season.

There is no shortage of videos, articles, and websites dedicated to fixing all possible swing flaws. While many of these tips can work, it is all based around what your swing faults actually are. The best way to make improvements to your swing is to see an instructor. They will be able to help you accurately diagnose your individual swing, work with what you do well, and consider your own limitations when making suggested changes.

While the winter weather closes down most courses, there are plenty of options for lessons. Look at heated driving ranges, indoor facilities, or even online lessons you can sign up for to take your game to the next level.

Get Fitted

New equipment is not always the answer to playing better golf. However, playing the wrong equipment can keep you from playing your best.

Seeing an expert club fitter can help you find the right clubs to optimize your current game, giving you the proper tools to shave strokes off your score. 

Check out your local golf shop, Golftec, Golf Galaxy, or a PGA Tour Superstore near you to get a proper fitting. If you’re shopping for clubs in a budget-conscious way, you can look at direct-to-consumer brands such as PXG or Sub70 for additional custom fit options. PXG has stores around the world, while Sub70 has its main hub near Chicago and satellite locations for your convenience.

Train for Speed

The old adage “drive for show, putt for dough” has been proven wrong with the advent of strokes gained. Stats now show that better drivers of the golf ball are more likely to do better at the highest levels. For amateurs, that difference is magnified. Imagine taking an 8 iron into each hole rather than a 5 iron. That will help you hit more greens, reduce your proximity to the hole, and make it easier for you to shoot lower scores. Adding distance to your tee shot is an easy gain during the off-season to help you get better next year.

Tools such as SuperSpeed Golf, Rypstick, or the Stack System are great options outside of the gym to help you improve your speed. For those stuck fully indoors for the winter, Rypstick offers an indoor option that allows you to increase your swing speed from the comfort of your home.

Through a combination of lessons, getting fit for new clubs, and gaining swing speed, you should expect to see a marked improvement in your scores for the next season. The biggest thing you can do to make sure your changes take hold is to dedicate time to practice, follow through with your lessons, and stick with speed training to make sure what you’re working on becomes standard by the time spring hits and courses open for next season.