In many parts of the country we're approaching (or have already entered) the time of the year when it's about time to hang the golf bag up for a couple of months until warmer weather comes back. As a high handicapper who is desperately trying to get better at this ridiculous game, I've found that in the two springs since I started playing, it took much longer than I'd like to get back to where I was before this forced layoff. Generally speaking, it seems like I forget how to play during the winter.

This year one thing I'm going to do to try to avoid that is to type up on my computer all of the things I'm working on right now, so I don't forget them in the spring. For instance, I'm tucking my shirt into my armpit to remind me to keep the chicken wing under control. This is the kind of thing where I might play two rounds in the spring before I remember it.

Any other suggestions, other than the obvious bit about practicing when you can during the winter, that will help me avoid "starting over" in the spring? Bear in mind that I seem to have the muscle memory of a one-year-old. Nothing seems to stick.

If you discover the answer, let me know. I am in the same boat as you.

Of course everyone is different, but I got frustrated by being at the 85 86 plateau for a long time, so I quit playing and intended to swear off completely. Then went back and started breaking 80 with some regularity. I guess the break was all I needed. I'm starting to play like dammit again so I guess it's time to swear off again for a few months.

Sit down with google maps and go over the courses you've played regularly. Look for different ways to approach some of your trouble holes.

I found a distance calculator someone built using google maps (here), and it gave me the ability to see where I might be able to cut some corners, and where I didn't want to attempt it, even though it looked like it was possible.

mjaber wrote:

Sit down with google maps and go over the courses you've played regularly. Look for different ways to approach some of your trouble holes. I found a distance calculator someone built using google maps (here), and it gave me the ability to see where I might be able to cut some corners, and where I didn't want to attempt it, even though it looked like it was possible.

Very useful tool. However, my problem, as someone who has only broken 100 once, is more making the shots on a consistent basis.

It does get easier as the years go by, but that doesn't mean it doesn't suck. My strategy for Spring golf is to set a start date for my official season to begin. Last year, it was May 1. I got in a few rounds before that to get myself back up to speed. The trick, I think, is to get those rounds in while the courses are still in kind of crappy shape so that I don't expect as much from those first few rounds.

But the fact is, it's the chipping and putting that takes the longest for me to get back. I think there is a very good reason for that. When it comes to my full swing shots, I know exactly what I am doing at every stage of the shot, so I can usually feel if something is off. And if I don't feel it, I have a checklist of things to try depending on the outcome of the shot.

I have not played much this year at all. I find that by just swinging a club I can keep my golf muscles intact and remember what it feels like in certain parts of my swing. I have been trying to do 50-100 swings a day focusing on grip, posture, alignment, and impact position. I am not hitting any balls into a net or anything or even making contact with the ground just swinging the club. It helps IMO.

Bryan K wrote:

it's the chipping and putting that takes the longest for me to get back.

But those things can easily be trained indoor, there's no need to go outside for chipping and putting.

jev wrote:

Bryan K wrote: it's the chipping and putting that takes the longest for me to get back. But those things can easily be trained indoor, there's no need to go outside for chipping and putting.

you can't duplicate slopes and deep rough indoors.

I was getting so discouraged that I recently just decided to give up.
Then my wife encouraged me just to take the winter off, even though we can still play here in Ncal, it gets kinda wet, tho'.
She wants us both to restart in the spring which we'll prolly do.

Then I remembered I'm gonna be at Kaanapali in a few weeks with a couple of free rounds...

I gotta get practicin'!

Bryan K wrote:

you can't duplicate slopes and deep rough indoors.

Not exactly, no. But you can do some training to keep the feel of putting and chipping.

If you're lucky, there may be some indoor facility nearby where you actually can find slopes and variations in "grass" length. Otherwise, you may even be able to build something yourself?

jev wrote:

Bryan K wrote: you can't duplicate slopes and deep rough indoors. Not exactly, no. But you can do some training to keep the feel of putting and chipping. If you're lucky, there may be some indoor facility nearby where you actually can find slopes and variations in "grass" length. Otherwise, you may even be able to build something yourself?

Well, I chipped into the back of my couch all winter last year to the point where I need new carpet back there. And I putted across the carpet numerous times, though it is a lot slower than a real green. But yeah....I live in a small one bedroom apartment. It's a nice place, but it's not very conducive to building a little makeshift golf facility. And there are a lot of places to practice putting around Fargo, but none of them have any slopes. Nor are there any indoor bunkers or deep rough. But on that token, that's why I make sure I get out several times before beginning my official season. And hopefully, this will be the last year I have to winter in Fargo.

Steve, here is what has helped me maintain my swing performance levels over the last couple off seasons.

Chip and pitch indoors every week! It doesn't matter if you use real balls or lighter practice balls. The key here is to maintain the hand eye coordination and attain good contact with the sweet spot.

Take some full swings at least once a week. You can go to the range if you like. I just go out to my patio and swing in front of the sliding door. When I do this in the evening the glass is almost as good as a full length mirror. When it's 30 in Chicago my flexibility is limited, but I can still focus on making a good controlled swing with good tempo.

The most important thing I have done in the off season is relive all of the great shots from the previous summer. Visualize your longest drives, best approach shots, straightest fairway woods, sand saves and putts. If you can savor those moments in February you will be able to remember them when you need to in April!

Get yourself a good mat and some AlmostGolf practice balls, or something even a little softer if you don't have a lot of room to hit them inside. I have a 60 ft by 20 ft by 15 ft high shop. I set up the mat in one end and hit AlmostGolf balls virtually every day during the winter, unless I have to put my work truck in the shop for something. We also have an indoor range close by and a lighted, heated, outdoor range as well. But at 11 bucks a bucket, I save that for a couple times a month.

You can chip with the AlmostGolf balls almost anywhere and they won't do damage, but do really react like a real ball. On full swings you can hit fades and draws easily with them. They travel about 1/3 the distance of a real ball when struck with a full swing.

I was recovering from rotator cuff surgery last winter, so couldn't practice, but once I was able to start chipping, I started in the shop off my mat, eventually progressing to full shots as the months went by. When I went out to finally play my first round later in May, my swing was pretty much right back where I had left off with it before the surgery.

Whatever you do, find a way to swing regularly during the winter. It will pay off in the spring, for sure.

And one other thing, staying flexible throughout the winter will pay dividends in the spring as well. Stretching and strengthening, partucularly of the core and arms is key. As mentioned earlier, check out the Titleist Performance Institute on line for a good idea of what will be helpful.

Mr_X wrote:

Steve, here is what has helped me maintain my swing performance levels over the last couple off seasons. Chip and pitch indoors every week! It doesn't matter if you use real balls or lighter practice balls. The key here is to maintain the hand eye coordination and attain good contact with the sweet spot. Take some full swings at least once a week. You can go to the range if you like. I just go out to my patio and swing in front of the sliding door. When I do this in the evening the glass is almost as good as a full length mirror. When it's 30 in Chicago my flexibility is limited, but I can still focus on making a good controlled swing with good tempo. The most important thing I have done in the off season is relive all of the great shots from the previous summer. Visualize your longest drives, best approach shots, straightest fairway woods, sand saves and putts. If you can savor those moments in February you will be able to remember them when you need to in April!

Good tips. Thanks. I'm still confused (and you're not the first one to say this) about how you're supposed to chip and pitch inside. Do you use an astroturf mat? That might be something to pick up, I suppose. I could chip at a target on my garage door.