Pro Tips
How to Keep Your Golf Game Sharp During the Winter Months ... by Courtney Mahon , LPGA
Winter is officially here ! It ’ s cold , it ’ s dreary , but it ’ s not time to pack away the clubs or your game . The off season is important and can be beneficial to many aspects of your game . Here are my favorite ways to stay sharp throughout the winter months !
1 . Practice in the Mirror .
For fifteen minutes a day work on extremely slow golf swings in front of a mirror . It not only builds strength and stability , but also makes you aware of where the club is throughout your swing . Building awareness will help you recognize the areas the swing needs work and will make it easier to make necessary changes . If you have a specific swing change , repeat several slow motions emphasizing that area of the swing .
2 . Hit balls once a week .
If possible , hit the range once a week . It will likely be cold , but 30 minutes a week can help maintain your muscle memory throughout the off season . Indoor facilities or hitting into a net at home will also help maintain your muscle memory and swing mechanics .
3 . Practicing Indoors .
Technique changes and drills for chipping and putting can be practiced inside the home . Here are a couple of my favorites :
Chipping in Rhythm —
Working with a Tour Striker Smart Ball for arm structure and body-arm connection can help everyone ’ s technique improve . The goal is to create a base motion that can carry through the entire short game . Tempo and rhythm is key to a successful short game .
( See the smart ball instructional video at https :// youtu . be / EVf _ oW8zFno .)
Tour Striker Smart Ball
30 January 2025 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE
Practice Ruler Putting
Ruler Putting —
The goal would be to putt a golf ball from one end of a yardstick to the other without it falling off the sides . Try rolling 50 successful putts in a row . Putting on a yardstick drastically improved my confidence on the green and lowered the number of putts per round .
( See the ruler putting drill instructional video at https :// youtu . be / GxWrg3zqon4 .)
4 . Yoga & Fitness .
Core strength , balance , stability , and mobility are all important for making an effective golf swing . If you don ’ t have a regular fitness regimen , it is time to get one ! You should be doing something every day to get in better shape , gain flexibility , and become stronger . A great fitness trainer can make a world of difference .
5 . Mental Game .
Pick a couple good golf books to study this winter . Take notes on what you plan to implement into your golf game . Understanding the concepts and focus won ’ t be the challenging part , incorporating mental changes with a solid routine and a smart game plan will be .
Make time to work on your game this winter , and you ’ ll be ready to go-low next spring .
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Courtney Mahon is a LPGA Class A professional and Director of Instruction at Tour Striker Golf Academy Midwest at Falcon Ridge Golf Club . Awarded 2020 LPGA Teacher of the Year and a Top 50 U . S . Kids Tour teacher for 2017 . For questions or help , contact her at Courtney @ TourStriker . com or call 913.393.4653 . Scan the QR Code for direct link to lesson videos and review them while you are on the range . Lesson videos at www . youtube . com / courtneymahongolf .