Offseason Golf: How to Keep Improving During the Winter Months

As we move into the winter months, it becomes increasingly important to find ways to continue working on your golf game. If you stop practicing altogether, returning to the course in the spring will feel significantly more difficult.

Below are several strategies to help you stay sharp this offseason. They begin with the minimum you should complete, and build from there—the more you do, the more prepared you’ll be when the season starts again.

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A Note for Junior Golfers

For juniors living in the Northeast or any region with harsh seasons: remember that many players across the country can practice year-round. If you want to play at a high level—or compete for college opportunities—you’re competing against players who are not subject to a winter offseason.

You can use weather as an excuse, or you can find ways to practice despite it.

This does not mean you need to practice outside in the cold or invest in a full simulator. Improvement is absolutely possible without those if you get creative.

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Before You Begin: Three Important Steps

1. Identify Your Goals

Reflect on your previous season and define clear goals. If you want significant improvement, you’ll need to do more than the daily minimum.

2. Evaluate Your Resources

Consider what spaces and tools you have access to:

• An indoor hitting area or simulator

• A garage or basement where you can set up a net

• Enough space for putting drills or swing work

Knowing what you have helps you build an effective practice plan. You can also find facilities that have an indoor practice area based on where you are located.

3. Talk With Your Coach

Discuss your goals with your current instructor. They may recommend focusing on putting technique, mobility, or full-swing changes. Be prepared to clearly articulate your goals and challenges.

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Offseason Strategies to Keep Your Game Sharp

1. Swing Every Day (Minimum Requirement)

Whether for 10 minutes or an hour, simply picking up a club daily is impactful.Daily swings help you:

• Maintain muscle memory

• Stay connected to your swing

• Work on technical changes without scoring pressure

Even dry swings can make a huge difference by spring.

2. Schedule Regular Lessons and Hitting Sessions

The offseason is the best time to develop and refine your skills.

Evaluate questions like:

• What were my common misses last season?

• Can I control shot shape on purpose?

• Do I understand my swing?

• Am I as consistent as I want to be?

Working closely with your coach during this time can accelerate improvement.

3. Get in the Gym

It’s difficult to gain distance during the season because of the touch required to score. In the offseason, you can focus fully on building strength and speed.

Options include:

• Strength training

• Speed training

• Working with a personal trainer

• Asking your coach for golf-specific exercises

Improving your physical fitness will help your overall game.

4. Improve Your Mental Game

Your mental approach is often the deciding factor in competitive golf.

Spend time reviewing:

• Moments you struggled mentally

• Times you performed your best

• Patterns in your emotional responses on the course

Your mental game is personal—identify what you need, then create a plan to strengthen it.

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Final Thoughts

Depending on your goals, you may use one or all of the strategies listed above. Whatever your plan is, commit to it. By doing so, you’ll enter spring ready to play—while others are still shaking off winter rust.