21 Golf ?s of Christmas - SAQ - 'How Can I Improve My Golf Game In The Winter?'

 

Now this is a fantastic 'Right Question'.  This is definitely an SAQ, Should've Asked Question - for many golfers who struggle to play well in the Summer.

Above, you see one of our PGA Assistant Professionals, whom I've helped for about 8 years, practicing under the Heaters during a foggy early-Winter snow storm.  We work at Meadow Links & Golf Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio...one of the 'Top 100 Ranges In America' every year since 1993.

When I worked in South Florida, tournament players from Florida actually lamented that Northern Golfers were more 'fresh' than them.   These Florida Golfers complained that they worked on their Golf Game year-round and 'got stale' in the Summer, when all the big Tournaments happen.

The 'grass is always greener on the other side', eh?  Even for golfers.

After getting over my initial shock at this complaint from the Florida Golfers, I began to give it some value. 

And now, since 1999, I've seen many of my Golf Students make great improvements in their Golf Game while snow and ice have been on the ground.

Jack Nicklaus, from Ohio and Tom Watson, from Missouri apparently figured this out, didn't they?

There are a huge number of things you can make better.  You can improve your Golf Thinking, Golf Fitness, Golf Swing, Golf Equipment - your Drive, Approach, Pitch, Chip, Putt.

The rub is, 'How?'

Many of the Players I help who have improved so much in the Winter have a great desire.  They really want to humbly and thoroughly admit their specific golf weaknesses.

Then they get mad - in a very controlled and constructive manner.  They see...

- very clearly - the mistakes they made in the previous Golf Season.

We have even talked about specific rounds and shots and Tournaments and weeks and months.  We discuss - exactly - what they did or thought poorly that lead to that bad shot or round or Tournament or week or month.

It really helps them - that I attend and observe carefully between 30 -40 Tournament Rounds each year where my Players compete.

We go over their GOLF...SUCCESS 'Round Statistics' Chart with a 'fine-toothed comb'.

So, you see, it's almost like we are re-living the particular Golf Experience; shot, round, Tournament, week or month.

I have found this to, often, be the effective and significant springboard to a relevant Winter of Practice that produces a great Summer of Golf for many Players.

Maybe even today - take some time to do this yourself.  Re-Live some of your Golf Experiences from your 2009 Golf Season.  Which ones did you like?  Which ones did you not like?

Now we're really much more ready to consider, 'How Can I Improve My Golf Game In The Winter?'

We will consider that tomorrow.

Comments

[Tim Flaherty]

Great article !!! When I played baseball in Oregon researchers told us that if we formed practice habits in the gym in the winter before school we could out perform people in warmer climates. We spend "slow motion" time in the gym forming fundamentals. Now that I live in Minnesota, I'm able to swing a shortened club and spend time in my DreamSwing. This is valuable time because I can work on my swing in segments and in slow motion. No ego worrying about ball flight. Just slow motion work that is micro specifically addressing my weak areas. You must be totally honest with yourself in the winter without golf buddies massaging your ego.