I really have a disdain for cold weather golf anymore. It’s hard to make any real improvement when I can’t get on the course or the driving range with any regularity. The conditions are more difficult to play in. The cold keeps my muscles stiff.
Nonetheless, I was able to get out for nine holes today for the first time in weeks. I wouldn’t say I played well, but I did better than I expected. I’d say my ball striking was much better than I figured it would be, but naturally everything was just a little off. I wasn’t holing any putts and my short game was imprecise.
I have to keep reminding myself that the weather and course conditions play a part in all that. In 44-degree weather, I need to remind myself to club up. When I hit a short drive, I need to remind myself that the fairways are saturated and there’s a 1 or 2 club wind in my face. The greens are fairly bumpy during this time of year.
I’m still confident that when I’m able to practice with regularity and get in the repetitions that I need, I’ll be making serious progress. I made a number of swing discoveries (most with the help of my pro) this year that will help me make real improvement in the coming months.
I’m still having good success with choking down on my driver. I hit one poor drive (the first of the day), and after that, the rest of my drives were respectable and I felt like I was really in control.
One thing I need to be doing is making better use of the winter (and what’s left of the fall) in terms of working out. I’ve been keeping extraordinarily busy and workout time is suffering. I need to start organizing my time a little better and make workouts a priority. This is another downside to winter. It’s so easy to slip out of the frame of mind of what I’m trying to accomplish, especially when late-fall and winter weather make golf seem so far away.
I’m hoping for some mild weather this winter, but maybe it’s time to think about relocating to a place with more winter golfing opportunities. To be truthful, I’ve already been thinking about it, so saying it’s time to start thinking about it isn’t really accurate. I don’t know what the future holds, so stay tuned.
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Good to hear you’re not the only one who suffers in the cold. I’ve recently embarked on a journey similar to yours, with my end goal being to land a job as a teaching professional (planning on enrolling in the Golf Academy of America next fall). I played 9 holes this morning–38*, wind chill of 25*–and could never get in a rhythm. Trying to maintain consistent ballstriking when your hands are numb makes things difficult. Anyway, I’ve enjoyed following your blog. I just started on to track my own progress on my journey. I’m going to link to yours as it’s been an invaluable resource for me. Hope the weather warms up for you soon.
Good for you, Matt! Best of luck and thanks for coming by.
Mike-
When I left the course last night it was 37 degrees and the wind was 12-18 out of the NNW. I had a ball! The key to having fun with cold weather golf is to leave your expectations at home. I’m always so much looser mentally in poor conditions because I don’t expect to do well. As a result, I’m more free to try big draws or fades and I always surprise myself at how well I do. Another fun thing with cold weather golf is the camaradeire – only golf nuts play in such conditions. Oh yeah, leave the cart in the barn in cold weather. If you’re walking, you’ll find your rhythem.
I considered walking (as I normally do), but I’m not sure my knee is ready to take it yet. No question that walking helps to stay loose and find rhythm, though.
What’s up with the weather in TX? I thought it was supposed to be more mild down there this time of year. If I relocate from NJ, that’s where I’m going.
who knows what’s up with the weather here in texas. Snow last week and a little freezing rain this week. But, tomorrow is supposed to be a little better and thursday and friday are supposed to be in the 70s. Golf days for sure. But, I’ll be heading to Orlando for the Golf Academy where there are even fewer bad weather days!
I’m jealous, Matt. That Orlando weather is going to make for some great year-round golf.
37 degrees, wow I can only dream about those temperatures right now. For the last 10 days winter has not only sucker punched us but has continually kicked us while we are down. Temps have been below -4 F / -20 C plus wind chills have dipped temps to a balmy – 35.
Matt have fun in Orlando.
There’s also the ‘active season’ slant for posting scores. I play regularly in Denton, TX – a year round active season location. I’ve been in touch with the USGA and the Texas Golf Assn (our clubs governing body) but can’t seem to get anyone to return an email or a call. My hypothesis is that with the onset of cold weather (regardless of ‘season’) scores artificially inflate. About a month ago, our greens stimped at about 11. Last week they were down to 9.5 but the superintendent was throwing down the water. With the firmer conditions comes more roll, especially when you don’t hit the fairway. Same holds true for the greens – it’s not uncommon to have a long putt, downhill, no grain, trailing wind, that stimps at 40 or more. With 6 or 7 three putts (or maybe some 4 putts) scores are climbing and when spring rolls around, our club is going to have it’s share of innocents being called sandbaggers.
Enjoy your blog. Thanks
Gary
44 degrees – you’re living in paradise/ i’m looking at about 12 inches of snow coming down today, maybe more. I tend to get itchy for golf this time of year. In Feb – northern boys haven’t played for a while yet so the itch fades away but in Dec., with the smells still fresh and the swing groove still lingering, we pine for just one more round. Alas..spring golf is only 4 months away…
Bruce
Supposed to be 50′s this weekend in NJ, great Dec. golf weather.
Also I noticed in your to-do list you have “Develop a detailed diet plan.”. Winter is a great time to hit that one hard too, are you thinking of doing that too?