Don’t let the cold weather put a chill on your game. Continue to improve your skills this winter by trying these at-home tips. Whether you’re just starting, or have played for decades, there’s never a bad time of year to engage with golf.

Although the golf season may be winding down, that doesn’t mean your clubs need to go into hibernation. Improving your game is a year-round pursuit that can be undertaken even on the coldest of January nights. Whether you’re keeping fit during the off-season, doing some online shopping, or perhaps chipping a few balls in the living room, there’s much you can do to keep on top of your game. Kick off the 2021 season fully prepped by making the most of your time away from the course.

Practice at Home

Will you be launching drives through your back deck’s sliding door this winter? Likely not, but you can still get a few swings in around the house to stay sharp. Having a solid short game is one of the fastest ways beginner golfers can significantly lower their scores, and fortunately it’s one area of the game that can be practiced at home. Putting around the living room is an easy routine to help you consistently hit the ball out of the center of the face, which is something many players struggle with.

If you’re feeling good with the flat stick, why not chip a few balls into a laundry hamper to help maintain muscle memory and feel? The fact is, simply swinging a golf club can keep your mind and body in “golf mode” and help jumpstart your next season. Looking for something that’s less DIY and a little more refined? Check out our at-home practice products.

Stay Fit

Being loose and limber on the course allows players to swing it freely, but sometimes staying fit over the winter can be a challenge, which can result in a sluggish start to your spring. Instead of backpedalling over the months ahead and beginning the 2021 season digging yourself out of a fitness hole, players should continue to implement a basic fitness routine that allows them to stay flexible. Activities you can do at home to get next season off to a fast start include basic stretching, core exercises and balancing drills.

Gather Gear

When you’re in mid-season form, it may be daunting to add a new club to your bag or overhaul your entire set, after all, you don’t want to potentially undo any positives to your game by throwing a changeup, especially when you’re just starting out. For some newer golfers, the best time of the year to go shopping is during the off-season, which provides them time to familiarize themselves with their new gear before it’s put into play. With the development of hyper-accurate simulators, players can tinker with their new clubs when it means the least, and be ready for the course when it matters the most.

Continue to Learn

The great Bobby Jones said “golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course, the space between your ears.” Golf is a mental game as much as it is a physical one, and learning about the game and its many intricacies can help you better navigate your very own five-inch course.

Reading books and watching videos on a wide-variety of golf topics, such as maintaining concentration levels, learning swing fundamentals, overviewing the rules, or reading about the history of the sport, are off-season pursuits that can deepen your appreciation for the sport and enhance your enjoyment while playing. This winter may be the perfect time to hunker in and expand your golfing horizons with some interesting golf literature and a cup of coffee.