How do you practice when not at the course?

Well living in NE it's tough to stay in the game so here's what I do which isn't much:

1) Keep exercising and staying in shape.

2) Practice putting in the living room

3) If I can find a heated driving range, I'll hit that up every once in a while.  Or play some virtual golf.

4) I have a mat and working on getting a new golf net.  It's possible I may set something up in my garage.  However it's going to be VERY cold in there and not sure if that'll work.  We'll see...

5) I've been getting lessons this year and the teacher has given me some very good tips on to keep my posture and setup in sync without using a club.  It has helped somewhat this summer so i plan on doing this through-out the winter as well.  He also gives lessons during the winter so I may hit'em up a few times.  

Not sure if that's what you're looking for but those are some of things I try to do during the off-season.  Doesn't always happen but it's a goal to shoot for. 

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else has to say...

Christopher - I too live in the NE and my son set up a net in the garage.  It certainly gets too cold a good part of the time and not enjoyable for hitting.  We bought a small heater but it doesn't do the trick.  Make sure to buy an adequately sized heater so it is comfortable.

the other thing I was warned about is that hitting into a net with no visual feedback can lead to bad habits especially hitting off of a mat.

i still recommend it though it is nice to be able to swing and stay flexible.  We also video a lot to ensure set up, posture, and swing looks correct.

1) stretching a lot 

2) going to the gym to work on fitness

3) putting in the house (maybe your wife doesn't like it too much)

4) going to the range at least once a week (maybe you can find a heated one)

sometimes it also helps just stepping back a bit to return to the new season with full power

Cody -  First off, I am no where near as good as you.  That said, as a former teacher/coach, I can relate to your situation.  

• At home, I usually have a club somewhere nearby.  When exercising on my back patio, I finish the workout by working on my set up and going through my preshot routine.  Performing this helps me remember what I am supposed to do when I do play.  
• I sometimes use limited-flight practice balls and a range mat in the backyard for pitching and 1/2 swing practice.. The practice balls keep me from breaking windows!
• If you have carpet with decent speed, practice putting over a dime two feet away.  For me, this practice is better than just stroking putts at home with no concern for alignment.  Try that for shorter- and longer-length strokes.
• Keep working on your flexibility.  I remember not having much time during the season.  Squeeze in a workout that includes stretching, especially for your shoulders, back and legs.  This way, your body will be ready when you do play.

Get creative; you might be able to combine another activity with some range time.  It will likely not be as much time as you want, but any work will help maintain your low index.  

One teacher I worked with belonged to a private club.  He got down to a 6 during the summer and went back up during the school year.  You might have to accept that your index will go up.  It will come down again during the summer.

I hope this helps.  Keep Educating (and coaching) the Youth of America!

cm

Ed I know the feeling. Sometimes as long as the confidence in there even though the swing is bad it seems to go in the hole.

Cody C,

      I feel you! I am active duty and with training events and the like I sometimes go months without playing. The biggest thing I would recommend is finding a mirror somewhere and a white board marker. Stand in front of the mirror in what you consider to be your perfect posture/stance and just practice trying to get in that position whenever you have some down time. I recommend marking the position of each foot, your knee position (make sure you get the same flex every time), the outlines of your triangle (forearms) and then each shoulder. Practicing good posture again and again seems to help my body remember how to swing a golf club after I haven't played in a few months.

Thank you! I love the post! I have been doing most of what you say but the dime drill on the carpet is perfect! That is truly what I need! I need to invest in a practice net or something like you were saying about the practice balls! You are correct about the set up!  I need to incorporate that with my workout too. Thanks for posting

The key is when you do get out on the range, make the most of it. Don't just go mindlessly whack range balls. Work on controlling the ball flight and firing at targets on the range. Also, play games with yourself or with others on the practice chipping and putting greens. Try to get it up and down as many times as you can on the chipping green. On the putting green, try the pull back drill. Hit lag putts and after each putt you hit, you have to pull the ball back one putter length. If you can two putt everything with this drill, you will definitely be making putts on the course.

During the winter months I have a weighted club that I picked up. It helps me feel my swing as well as staying flexible. We have a indoor virtual golf center that I go to occasionally where I can pick a course to play or just practice for an hour on range mode.

I've purchased a putting mat, hitting mat and chipping net, smash bag, books, putting mirror and all sorts of things to help me with my game when I can't get outside. I also try to work on my fitness and yoga in particular. Audio books are a good route to go for the mental game as well - I have several of Bob Rotella's books.

Well the Putting has been the first to go. Hit 17/18 greens yesterday and shot 77. Go me. Looks like putting mat it is. 

I have a net and mat in my basement that gets used almost everyday year round. The mat is too small to putt on so I just put on the carpet. It is fairly short and is similar to a real green. I also love doing little chipping drills to keep my feel.

The cost of sims has come way down.  All you need is a net return and a skytrak.  For $3K you can be hitting balls all year long.

The nice thing about a GC2 or Skytrak, is they are portable.  I take mine to the range and play closest to the pin or even a virtual game (in the summer/spring).  It's worth looking into as the simulation software has come/is coming a long way.

Good luck, I live in the Pacific Northwest, so we play pretty much all year long, but I hit balls almost every day, nice to have the tech at home.

I am lucky enough to have some of the same set-up as Christian. I have a net and mat in my garage that I can hit into. For chipping I can use the same area or in the living room. for putting I have a thin putting green mat in the garage also. Not great but it is better than nothing during the cold winter months. I also have a medicus that I can swing with to keep a good tempo. 

I keep an iron by just about every exit of my house...at the time it was to give me something to do rather than smoke a cigarette I would take 50 practice swings. (All the same 6-iron) I don't know if it's mental, or something I'm unaware of, but because it's for the most part pavement I wasn't brushing grass or mat (I prefer the longer turf style grass) as you would when you would usually release on downswing, after doing that so often when season started I feel as if I almost trained myself into a more upright position and just by making sure iron wasn't scraping the concrete it almost gave me a really bad habit of hitting the ball thin consistently. Again, could all be mental, but I don't know if this caused or just something else and took a bit to get back down low and hit down on ball again. Was never too bad of a ball striker, at least the face of club always looked good and I hover between 6.5-8. 

That being said I now hit those lighter practice balls into net pending temp, otherwise we now have an indoor facility with about 12 trackman equipped bays in southern New Jersey, very reasonably priced, and actually get to work with numbers which I don't like doing during season as I don't like making changes during the short season we have in NE. A during season correction, sure. But def nice to tinker in downtime during winter with shafts, settings, etc. During the precious small amount of time we get to play I don't like making drastic changes. I also train with lots of resistance cable style weights more during offseason as I feel it keeps flexibility at its best along with standard core excercises, but try to fit the flexibility training in more just because I believe as everyone gets older, whether 25 or 65 there is always going to be gradual flexibility being lost as body ages no matter who you are or where you are. Just my .02 turned .10 cents....sorry for novel:) good luck to all!

I live in the Northeast and hate the winter months.

I set up a mat and hitting net in my basement. I hit real balls with irons and hybrids. Ceiling is too low for the driver unless I really choke down. I have mirrors face on and down the line to check my swing. I have a video camera to record and analyze my swings. All of this equipment is not that expensive, just need the room. The only downside is not being able to see trajectory and distance of the shots. I have looked into portable launch monitors, but the reviews are not very good for the affordable ones.

I also have a putting mat in my living room, which I practice on while watching tv. I always have the Golf Channel on. Golf instruction videos on YouTube are good, too.

I usually try to plan a short 3 or 4 day golf trip to Florida or Arizona once during the winter months to get my golf fix.

Here in the Mid-Atlantic area our winters are not too bad, so I'll play as deep into the season as possible. Also, I am fortunate to have several ranges nearby with heated tees, and that helps a lot. However, when it is not practical to be outdoors I do have a 9 foot putting green set up in an unused bedroom that we have turned into a library room. It also has a high ceiling and enough room to allow for full driver swings that helps me keep flexible. Working out with free weights and using a treadmill helps keep the legs in shape. Chipping skills seem to go first so if I can get outside I'll work on chipping some balls in the backyard. 

Not bragging mind you, but reading these comments makes me appreciate San Diego more all the time. I not sure I'd have the dedication displayed by other posters. My hats off to all that deal with inclement conditions and persevere on. Sorry I have no advice except to take a little break out here and get in some play time.

Like most people I have a hitting net and I have made a putting chipping green and use my titleist pro v 1 s

One of the best ways to both exercise and groove your swing is with a weighted club. Models vary, but if you cant find anything a broom can work in a bind. If you know a club mechanic, he could take an old persimmon wood and fill the head with lead for you. Great weighted aid that you can also hit.

I bought an Optishot, some Almost Golfballs, and installed an 8 foot screen with an overhead projector in my garage.  I can use all my clubs on it---while either in practice mode or playing a course like East Lake or TPC Sawgrass.  It really helps when I am working on a swing change or the weather does not allow me to play golf.  

Definitely putting inside to a target and working on your stroke. Also, watching film of your swing when it was at its peak. This is best to embed it in your memory so your body can repeat it. Also, swinging in a mirror is a good way to keep your swing fresh and see what you need to work on.

Previous from moving to Pittsburgh, in Michigan, I would use simulators quite often and on the days without wind I would go to the heated range. The range would keep it just warm enough, but if that wind is coming in and hits the hands you are in trouble. 

So far we have had great luck here with our beginning of winter, but I did make it to the range today to keep things loose. I also found a place with simulators as well and will be frequenting them as much as I can. Other than that, nice diet, keep working out and keep the body in tune. There's really no limit to what "you can do," you just need to do it. 

I flip on Morning Drive and chip png pong balls while eating breakfast.  Best part of the day.

I need to get on the stretching. My game has gone to pieces. 

Hey Cody , I have a bucket full of the plastic golf balls ( not wiffle) that actually fly pretty good.  I'll spend a bit of time just hitting those with a varied of clubs.

I also have a putting matt in my basement that I will use almost everyday after my workout, and I have a club in my office with a mat that I use to swing everyday

We have an indoor range but I'm not a big fan of the mat's.  I much prefer hitting on grass thats why I go in my backyard