Winter Tips

Winter advantages
Ok, ok we all agree that playing to main greens is better than playing to the shorter winter course greens. But while they might not be great for putting, they can help your game as the smaller targets force us to, they place more emphasis on control, subconsciously refining our technique. Think of a dartboard, practice to hit the dartboard and you will get pretty good at it. Focus your practice to hit the bullseye and you will still hit the dartboard, it’s just the darts will be closer together.

Change the course
Use the opportunity to play the course you play all the time slightly differently. Take different clubs off different tees. Make the course longer or shorter each time you play it. Don’t just go through the same routine as you would normally. If you do this the shorter course will play easier and you will get too blasé with it and struggle to adapt to the normal course in the spring. Keep challenging yourself to improve!

A word on mats
Winter mats are now essential course protection equipment but while helping the course they can also help you with your game. Whether you use the launch mat or the more traditional rectangular mat, both have the potential to help you to improve.

The launch mat with its curved spine is great for maintaining and improving the low point of your swing. It is designed to allow you to hit downward like you would on most iron shots. The beauty of this mat is that if you don’t make good contact then the ball will hit the face either too high or too low producing a weakened shot. It punishes you for a bad impact. Simply getting good at playing off this mat will help you with your striking.

The rectangular mat is great for people who struggle with alignment. Take your time setting your mat up point it towards your target and use the straight lines of its edges to help you with your body and clubface alignment.

Below, you’ll find some do’s and don’ts for how to counter the conditions to keep you in tip-top shape to make the most of the coming months…

• DO exercise. It’s even more important in winter. According to the NHS, exercise strengthens your immune system and reduces the risk of coughs and colds. Energy from exercise should also make it a little bit easier to get out of your warm bed in cold, dark mornings. When you’re on the course, try to keep moving. Endorphin production is even higher when you exercise in cold weather, so you’ll feel better about yourself.

• DO play more golf. Embrace the chill. The more time you spend outside, the more your body acclimatises to the temperatures and, as a result, builds up a greater tolerance to lower temperatures. This, in turn, makes it easier to adapt to the cold the more you play.

• DO drink hot liquids. Drinking something hot increases the sensation of being warm. Soup, coffee, or tea is great in the winter. According to health gurus, chicken soup is best for fighting off the cold and flu, as it helps kill off viral cells. Tea also counts towards your daily intake of water.

• DO stay hydrated. In the cold, it's likely the last thing on your mind is a glass of water. However, you become dehydrated just as easily in cold temperatures as you do in warm weather, so it is just as important you get liquids in you. Keep drinking but stay away from sugary options.