Beating The Winter Golf Blahs
Here in Rhode Island the snow and ice are finally starting to melt. I think I can actually see some grass for the first time in a month. Last week I went with some friends to an inside driving range. I thought that would get the juices flowing again. Unfortunately the night we chose the outside temperature was around 20, which meant it was probably about 40 inside. My hands are still stinging from mishits.
However, hitting a few shots in the cold golf dome unfrosted dreams of spring golf with green fairways and nicely raked traps. When we go back to hits balls at the dome this week, it should feel like Florida with our daytime temps pushing 50. If you’re lucky enough to have a March golf trip planned, hitting some shots indoors will get your pump primed.
If you really want to come firing out of the gate this season, remember to rehearse the key positions in your swing. I suggest setup, club to waist high, top of backswing, impact, club waist high and finish. If you can accurately pose at these positions, it will do wonders in training your body. As golfers, we all have bad habits. It takes a lot of repititions to permanently change them. When under pressure, you’ll regress. Don’t be discouraged. Recognize it for what it is and go back and rehearse more. Before long new, good habits will form.
I’m working on releasing tension at setup. In rehearsing the above positions at home, I came to realize how much tension I have in my body just standing over the ball. Learning to release this should do wonders for the old swing. My own experience says that tension is the biggest enemy of any athletic movement. Practicing in front of the TV, watching The Golf Channel, while it’s snowing outside, is a great way to ingrain the perfect relaxed setup. Project the energy you want in the shot. I’m thinking confident and relaxed is a good combination.
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Comments
Florida golf – don’t I know it. I have been traveling frequently (about once per month for work) to Naples, Fl. and I just love the weather there. Unfortunately, I do not get to play much golf 
My wife and I have had serious talks about moving South and the West Coast of Florida is very enticing – especially with real estate prices being so good nowadays.
One of the great things about Orlando is that golf is pretty much in season year round! The only “off season” problems we have to worry about is daily rain and super hot summers, both still playable conditions with the off season rates to boot!
I like your setup routine, I’ve never actually considered practicing in front of the television, but I can see how that’d help alleviate some of the tension. I do agree with you that tension is probably the worst thing for your swing and something I suffer from pretty often. Many times, I’ll address the ball, close my eyes for a moment, take a slow breath and hack away!