Instruction
How to Start a
Seasonal Practice Plan
Swing into 2019 with these four stages of training and development
by JOSH APPLE | PGA ASSOCIATE AND STAFF INSTRUCTOR, RASPBERRY GOLF ACADEMY
T
here is a rough pattern in the game
of golf in which many of us make
progress all year, but then stash
away the sticks for good in the winter. As
the wintry months in Virginia seem to get
colder and longer, golfers are rusty by the
time the warm weather returns, creating
a vicious cycle.
Can this trend be reversed?
It absolutely can, assuming you have
a proper year-round practice plan that
factors in seasonal change. There are dif-
34
ferent types of practices that are ideal for
the winter, spring, summer and fall. Each
season is valuable for improvement, and
planning ahead is crucial for success.
V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 9
WINTER:
MAINTENANCE
The most import-
ant type of prac-
tice in the winter
is called “main-
t e n a n c e .” T h i s
means working on the skills you already
possess to keep them at their current
level, rather than regressing. Maintenance
requires only medium level repetitions,
as opposed to trying to learn a new skill,
which requires more volume.
In order to do this, you will need access
to a heated facility or an indoor driving
range, but maintenance practice just needs
to be completed once or twice a week.
With the advancement of golf technolo-
gies like launch monitors and simulators,
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