5 Tips to Improve Your Golf Game this Winter

Stuffing your golf clubs in the closet and hibernating for the rest of the winter is not the Tattoo Golf way of life. Any day is a great day for golf, but you must adjust your strategy for practice and competition. Avoiding golf altogether negatively affects your swing. Your game can digress by the time spring arrives! Try these simple tips to improve your golf swing this winter and stun everyone when days grow longer.

Tip #1: Conditioning

Don't let the cold outside influence your exercise regimen. If you can't hit the links, try working out at the gym. The PGA suggests four to five workouts a week with at least 45 minutes of aerobic activity. You can effectively lose weight with this exercise strategy, but you should also incorporate some weightlifting. Adding muscle using free weights allows you to strike the ball harder with improved control and accuracy. Toned muscles give you strength that allows you to beat the competition.

Tip #2: Indoor Practice

Even if the driving range isn't your favorite activity, it is a smart way to keep your swing fresh through the winter. Talk to your local golf course owner about affordable indoor driving ranges. Many golf professionals have connections within the industry, allowing you to receive a possible discount off of services. Ranges also offer passes for the season, giving you more of a discount if you visit often. Be aware that you are there to practice form, not long distance shots. Ranges are often limited in space and distance, so choose clubs and strike the ball accordingly.

Tip #3: Tough It Out

Some golf courses remain open during the winter, hoping to gain some customers in the process. You could have the entire course to yourself! Reserve a midday slot to take advantage of the warm afternoon. Avoid using golf carts, however. Walking the course keeps your muscles warm and your swing in top form. Brisk winds sitting in a cart just contracts muscles into shivering knots. To warm up before your tee off time, check out the course's heated stalls, if equipped. Typically found on an adjacent driving range, the stalls keep you warm throughout your entire swing practice.

Tip #4: Warm Golf Balls

Switching your golf balls while in play is a big no-no in professional golfing but it’s OK by Tattoo Golf standards. Because golf balls perform poorly in cold weather, keep them in your pocket when not in use. Play one ball while keeping another in your pocket. Alternate the balls on each hole to keep them perpetually warm. If the balls are extremely cold before you tee off, use a nearby heater to take the chill off them for better play.

Tip #5: Adjusting Distance Expectations

When you strike the ball with any club, the ball will not go as far and does not have much of a roll on the grass. Cold weather affects balls and clubs, along with the turf itself. Consider each hole's par, and alter it to a higher number. For example, change a par 4 into a par 5. You are essentially adjusting for winter, not cheating yourself out of true golfing statistics. You'll find that the normal pars work well when spring and summer arrive.