How to improve at golf during winter

Winter can be a challenging time for golfers. Though the urge to play might remain, the urge to stay at home in the warmth often outweighs it.

That said, playing golf in winter has many benefits—and for those looking at how to improve at golf especially, putting the work in during the off-season can pay off massively in the long run.

Looking at how to improve at golf during winter? You’re in the right place. Here are 8 things you can do right away.

How to improve at golf during winter

Putt indoors

If your local course or driving range is closed, or if it really is too cold to venture out, the good news is that you can still practice aspects of your game from the comfort of your home.

Take putting, for example. You don’t necessarily need a huge space and a complex set-up to work on this at home—a simple carpeted floor will help to mimic the friction of a real-life green.

Of course, if you really want to, you could also invest in a proper putting mat to replicate the look and feel of a real putting scenario. Spend the winter practising your technique, and you’ll be much better come spring!

Related: The 7 best golf putting aids

Visit a driving range to work on your swing

Consistency is key when it comes to your golf swing, and winter is the perfect time to work on it.

Practising your swing repeatedly will create strong muscle memory and programme your brain to do exactly what you’ve practised the next time you’re out playing for real.

You could also consider using weighted clubs when working on your swing, as these have been shown to enhance the body’s muscle memory even further.

If your local driving range stays open throughout the winter, be sure to take full advantage. And even if yours is closed or you’re stuck at home thanks to the weather, you can still practice your swing—just make sure any breakable items are well out of reach!

Related: 5 exercises to improve golf swing power

Build your physical fitness

Although golf isn’t an intensely physical sport like football or rugby, for example, your physical fitness is still highly instrumental to your performance.

So, if you really don’t fancy playing outside during winter, instead, take the opportunity to build a regular exercise routine, focusing on the specific areas you need to improve at golf.

For instance, could your swing and control benefit from some weight training? Or could you work on your glutes to improve your balance? Even activities like yoga have been shown to help golfers improve things like posture and hip flex.

Working on your physical health and fitness will help your golf game in ways you probably didn’t even realise, so don’t neglect this.

Related: The 7 best upper body and arm exercises for golf

Work on your mental game

Your mental acumen is another important thing to focus on when looking at how to improve at golf. After all, golf is as much a game of mental strength as it is physical.

When practising, be it at home or the driving range, try visualising your pre-shot routine, picturing the steps you’d normally take leading up to a shot. The more you get used to it, the more natural and at ease you’ll feel when doing it for real.

Winter is also a good time to practice staying focused despite all the seasonal distractions. Reading books and watching in-depth golf videos can be useful in training your mind to focus, which will later help you out on the golf course.

Your activities don’t always necessarily have to be golf-related, either. Even something as simple as doing the crossword in the newspaper can help your mind stay sharp and improve your concentration.

Binge on golf TV

You probably watch more TV in the winter than at any other time of year, right? So, it’s the perfect time to cram in some golf.

It may be cold outside where you live, but it’ll be warm and sunny somewhere in the world. So, if you’re staying in, why not find a golf tournament to watch on TV?

Watching the pros compete can give you plenty of insight and influence for your own game. While it may look like you’re being lazy and merely watching the TV, you’ll actually be subconsciously working on your golf game ready for when the greens thaw out again.

Check out which foreign tournaments are being televised throughout winter and sort yourself out a viewing schedule—it’ll be worth it. You might even find a new favourite player!

Try a simulator

We know, we know. Hitting a ball at an oversized screen with course graphics on it is nowhere near as good as being out there for real. However, it can be a pretty good winter alternative if you can’t get out (or, of course, don’t want to go out!)

Golf simulators are an excellent form of exercise and training, allowing you to stay sharp and keep up with the basics during the off-season.

In fact, one benefit of using a simulator over playing for real is that they can provide instant feedback on your shots, allowing you to fine-tune your technique quickly as you go—so they can be a very useful piece of equipment when looking at how to improve at golf.

Not to mention, you won’t lose any balls in the bushes or in any water!

Related: The top 7 golf simulators on the market

Check your golf equipment

Damaged clubs and poorly kept equipment, in general, can be a real hindrance to your golf performance—which is certainly not what you want when looking for ways to improve your game.

If you really are stuck for something golf-related to do during the winter, it could be a good time to inspect your gear. The off-season is the perfect time to give your clubs some TLC in the form of a proper clean so that they’re sparkling and ready for when the season restarts.

Winter is also the perfect time to take stock of what you have and test out some new stuff if needed. Why not head to your local golf shop and swing a few clubs to see if any are worth your money?

Related: How to clean golf clubs

Book a golf holiday

It’s by far the most expensive way of improving your golf game in the winter, but if you can afford to and have the time, booking a short getaway to somewhere warmer is just the ticket.

If you can, get your golfing pals together and get a trip in the diary to escape the cold and enjoy some winter sun on a course abroad. For example, countries like Italy, Portugal and Spain are usually still warm during the winter months. Playing a new course that you’re not necessarily familiar with can be great for the mind, as it tests you to think a little more about your game and approach.

You can often get a good deal travelling in the off-season, too.

Specialist golf insurance with Golf Care

If you’re spending the off-season looking at how to improve at golf—good on you—your future self will definitely thank you come the spring.

However, you may also want to use this time to consider protecting yourself and your gear with specialist golf insurance, so that you can be fully ready to put all your hard work and practice into action when the time comes.

With Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500 and Public Liability up to £10m, so you can play with peace of mind. Click on the banner below to learn more and get a quote.