Winter Drills To Cut Your Golf Handicap
Golfers living in warmer climates are lucky. They can play golf all year round. That keeps their skills sharp, their swings intact, and their desire to play satisfied. They don’t have to deal with the bitter cold or snow-covered courses like some golfers. In the battle to slash strokes from one’s golf handicap, it’s good to live in warmer climates with plenty of courses open for play all year.
Golfers living in colder climates aren’t so lucky. Obviously, they can’t play year round. Eventually—usually as late as possible—they have to put their clubs away and hunker down for the winter. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to play. Nor does it mean they can’t improve their games. Golfers can still do things in the off-season that will help them cut strokes from their golf handicaps next season.
Work On Your Weaknesses
Actually, the winter is a great time to work on your weaknesses. If you’re really serious about lowering your scores—and you have the time—you can do any number of things to improve your weaknesses and lower your scores—take golf lessons, read golf tips, or join a gym or health club. Getting in shape helps every phase of your game.
In addition, you can work on key drills at home or in the office. These drills can help chop strokes off your scores, if you master them. Do short game drills. They’re easy to do. They don’t require a full swing. And once mastered, they can dramatically cut strokes from your golf handicap. Try the following three drills for improving your short game:
Putting On The Carpet
A tried-and-true drill, this exercise generates results. Just make sure that the carpet is short and speedy. Shag carpet is too thick and long, and linoleum is too fast. A good industrial-grade carpet is ideal. Combine this with an electronic putting cup, which you can get at almost any sporting goods store, and you have a nice set up. You can also use a drinking glass as your target. Just make sure you don’t put your target up against a wall. You want to see how far past the “hole” you go.
Develop A Feel For Your Wedge
Developing a feel for your wedge is a good way to improve your short game. You don’t have to swing the club. You just want to feel its weight. You can hold it while talking on the phone, walking around the house, or watching television. Keep the club in your non-dominant hand as much as possible. That hand is the lead hand. You want it to always be the leader. Holding the club develops a good sense of feel in that hand. Feel the grip and how it lays in your hand. Feel the club swing through your fingers. Sense the clubhead’s weight. In other words, get to know your club.
Visualize Good Shots
Psychologists say your subconscious can’t distinguish between the actual and the imagined. Why not work on your short game while sitting in a plane waiting to take off, waiting in line at the bank, or standing in the checkout line at the grocery store? It’s easy. Just imagine yourself at your favorite course facing a short pitch or chip shot. See yourself going through your pre-shot routine and hitting the perfect shot. (You should also do this on the course just before striking the ball.)
In addition to practicing these drills, watch golf on television. Many cable stations now offer The Golf Channel as an option. Watch the pros closely. Examine their pre-shot routines. Look at their grips and stances. Check out their swings, especially their tempos. Don’t be afraid to imitate them. Imitation is a good way to learn.
The cold puts a damper on golf for some players. But if you’re serious about lowering your golf handicap, you can still do things that will help you improve. Attend golf instruction sessions. Study golf tips. Workout regularly. Practice the short game drills described above. Just because its cold, it doesn’t mean you can’t perfect your game.
About the Author
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. Free weekly newsletter available with the latest golf tips, lessons and instructions.
|
|
Wilton Mini Ball Pan $8.50 Individually-sized, so everyone can catch a little sports treat of their own. Ice mini balls and push together for a 3-D effect. One cake mix makes 10 – 12 balls. Six cavities are 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. deep. Aluminum…. |
|
|
Golf Channel – Playing Lessons From The Pros: Fred Couples $19.95 Fred Couples, 1992 Masters Champion and two-time PLAYERS Champion, strolls along a course he helped design in Simi Valley, California, to provide his unique and relaxed perspective on golf. Couples talks about driving the golf ball. He also details his switch to the belly-putter, course strategy, and extensive suggestions to help improve your short game. Playing Lessons offers a personal feelin… |
|
|
Golf Channel – Playing Lessons from the Pros: Natalie Gulbis $19.95 LPGA star Natalie Gulbis plays a round at Reflection Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada and offers tips to help viewers improve their game.This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply…. |
|
|
Golf Channel – Playing Lessons: Mark O’Meara $19.95 Improve your short game today! In this two-part original series you’ll walk beside O’Meara as he shares his proven tips on both the long and short game. Learn how Mark O’Meara plays the game! Play a round of golf with 1998 Masters Champion! In this two-part original series you’ll walk beside O’Meara as he shares his proven tips on both the long and short game. He also talks about his incredib… |
|
|
Sports Champions $8.98 Sony Sports Champions for the PS3 will let you and up to 4 of your friends physically engage in a number of competitive sporting activities as you go head to head in six events. Choose from one of 10 athletes from around the world to play exciting sporting activities that include Disc Golf, Gladiator Duel, Beach Volleyball, Archery, Table Tennis and Bocce. Every event brings its own unique twist t… |
|
|
Carnival Games $12.38 Step right up! All the fun and excitement of your favorite Carnival Games is coming to Wii this summer. It’s the perfect multi-player game for moms, dads and kids of all ages. Are you ready to rack up the points in a game of classic Alley Ball? Got the muscle to ring the bell in Test of Strength? Been practicing your accuracy for the famed Milk Bottle Throw? Ready to get wet in the Dunk Tank… |
|
|
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters $16.99 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is a multiplayer golf game for Xbox 360 that allows players to step into the shoes of some of the greatest pro golfers on the PGA tour as they go for the ultimate prize in the sport, the Masters title. Play championship courses like Augusta National Golf Club, Royal Melbourne Golf Club (Australia), Atlanta Athletic Club, TPC San Antonio, St Andrews Link and o… |