Let’s face it, for most amateurs the cold winter months are a time when it can be difficult to maintain focus on your golf game. Sadly, you’re not a professional and don’t have access to an elite Learning Center like I do. But don’t worry, there are still things you can do during this frigid off season to keep your game sharp. Practice these 4 tips below and you’ll be in mid-season form when the weather finally breaks in your favor.
1. Visualization
The great ones all have something in common. They know how to visualize and attack the moment before the moment even comes. Like the wise Sun Tzu says in the Art of War, “Every battle is won or lost before it is ever fought,” or like my head superintendent Miguel Vega says “Never drink a mezcal on empty stomach.”
Despite the snow outside your door, I want you to visualize yourself bombing piss missiles in front of the impatient foursome waiting behind you on the first tee. I want you to visualize yourself making the cart girl laugh. I want you to visualize yourself entering a 94 in the system after shooting 92. I want you to visualize yourself spending shop credit.
By visualizing these scenarios over and over in your head this winter, by the time Spring rolls around your brain will be overflowing with positive energy.
2. Range Time
Like a mother’s womb, the warmth and security of a heated driving range stall provides a welcome refuge from the unforgiving winter elements. As you stand under a 30-year-old propane heater that could explode at any moment, you have the satisfaction of knowing that every thinned 4-iron does way more than numb your fingertips……it’s a step on a journey. The balding mats and broken rubber tees are a subtle reminder that this is the crucible in which your game will be honed and forged.
Is $18.00 a lot of money to hit a medium size bucket of balls without dimples?
Perhaps.
But it’s satisfying to know that each swing brings you closer to making 2021 your best charity scramble season ever!
3. Fitness
Keeping the axe sharp during the winter months can seem like a daunting task, but lack of exercise for even a handful of weeks can lead to a breakdown of mobility and range of motion that is so vital to elite 10-15 handicap golfers.
Whether it’s in the bedroom, the boardroom, or standing over an $8 double-bogey lone wolf putt on 17, stamina matters. A sloppy fitness regimen can lead to decreased performance. A sub-45 front nine will undoubtedly end in a disastrous 52 on the back nine, all because you spent the entire Covid winter ordering DoorDash and watching Pornhub.
Let’s keep your body dialed in by hopping up from your desk and doing some “dick outs.” Hands on your hips, thrust your dick out, swirl your hips around for a few seconds, sit back down. Repeat 2-3 times per day.
4. Index Maintenance
Like a baby fawn, a player’s handicap must be nurtured and cared for while at the same time face exposure to dangerous elements like highway traffic and seasonal hunters.
To achieve this, pick a reasonably warm day in January or February and go play what I like to call a “preservation round” to make sure your handicap remains in the highly questionable range.
Remember, the goal is maintaining an index that is high enough to fleece your friends and dominate organized Net events, yet low enough that an ambitious club pro or overzealous handicap committee chairman won’t physically confront you about it.
