Tips from the Pro: How to Practice Your Swing in Winter

By Rob Weizer                                                                                      < Back to Golf Tips

Practicing your golf swing in the winter requires determination and some creativity. Of course, cold temperatures and snow drifts make it hard to get outside to practice, but despite this you should resist the urge to put your clubs away until spring. There are lots of drills and techniques you can work on to improve your swing, even when it’s cold outside.

STEP ONE

Work on strength and flexibility until spring. Professional golfers often use the off-season to improve their physical conditioning. That alone won’t improve your golf swing, but losing a couple of pounds and adding some flexibility can help you avoid injury and play better overall when weather improves. Get yourself in to Trout Creek Recreation Center and utilize the facility! They have exactly what you need to get yourself golf ready!

STEP TWO

Swing a weighted club in your garage or an open space. Weighted clubs are usually shorter than regular clubs, allowing you to swing them easily indoors. The PGA recommends swinging a weighted club a few minutes a day to improve strength in your wrists and arms, and to increase your clubhead speed. I use a weighted club called a Matzie Assist Swing Trainer; they are available in golf shops or even on Amazon. Whichever device you choose, it will make a huge difference!

STEP THREE

Work on your grip indoors. Keep a golf club inside your house during the winter and work on our grip several days a week. While watching TV, grip the club during each commercial and hold it until the commercial(s) are over. Here’s a trick: wrap your grip with a piece of paper then take your grip. Then gently swing your club back and forth; if the paper starts to make a crinkling sound, then your grip pressure is changing and could cause your club head to change at impact. This trick will help you to hold a club without as much tension
in your hand and arms.

STEP FOUR

Get outside on a nice winter day and swing a club! Practice swing as many times as you wish; 20-50 times is a good number. Then make practice swings as if it were the real thing. Working on your strength and flexibility, your grip, and taking practice swings as many times as possible during the winter could be enough for significant improvement in your swing.