Three Ways to Practice Your Golf Game At-Home
It’s something we come to accept every year - winter blankets the outdoors and our favourite courses take on a snowy hue. That doesn’t mean our golf games have to hibernate. Check out these three at-home golf tips to stay in top shape for when the warm weather returns.
1. Indoor Putting Practice
We rarely, if ever spend the proper amount of time practicing this aspect of our game. Yet it is something we do on every hole.
Tips for practicing putting indoors:
Set up an indoor putting mat. There are many putting mats to choose from online. Yoga mats work too. Ensure a smooth and consistent surface. We are trying to simulate the feel of a real green as much as possible.
Work on your putting stroke. Consider your tempo as you take the putter head back and move it forward. Think: tick, tock. You want to come through the ball with speed to ensure the face of the putter remains square as it was when you set up however you don’t want to smash the ball. ”Tick” as you take it back and “tock” as you bring it forward with speed.
Watch out for your head position. Your nose should be just over the ball.
Experiment with varying distances and angles to challenge yourself.
Make this into a daily routine. Spending just a few minutes each day can make a significant difference in maintaining muscle memory.
Bonus! Some of our favourite putting training aids are the putting ruler and a putting mirror.
2. Strength Training for Golf
Everyone wants to hit the golf ball further. Being indoors is a great opportunity to do just that by working on your strength and flexibility. Incorporate core workouts such as planks, Russian twists, and stability ball exercises. A strong core is crucial for maintaining balance and power in your golf swing. Include stretching and flexibility exercises to improve your range of motion. Yoga or pilates can be excellent additions to your fitness routine.
Strengthening your core and the muscles essential for the golf swing will lead to increased power and control. Another very important benefit is injury prevention. Building strength and flexibility helps prevent injuries by promoting better body mechanics and reducing the risk of strains and sprains.
3. Visualization Exercises
The mental game matters! Visualization exercises allow you to mentally rehearse successful golf shots, a key to becoming a better golfer.
Here are a few steps for effective visualization:
Find a quiet space where you can relax and focus without distractions.
Try visualizing specific shots. Picture yourself on the course hitting these shots. Imagine the ball's trajectory, the feel of the swing, and the satisfaction of a well-executed shot.
Use visualization as a tool for positive reinforcement. Envision success and build confidence in your abilities. While not every shot will play out exactly how we envisioned it, it is proven to increase your confidence which plays a big factor in whether you will execute the shot or not.
Visualization enhances mental focus, helping you stay concentrated on your goals - specifically, the shot we are about to hit. In golf, it is the only thing we have control over. We no longer have control over the past and we can’t control the future. Banish negative thoughts and imagine success.
Most golfers are guilty of doing the opposite - we tend to visualize the negative results only. Have you ever had to hit a shot over the water and not only have you seen it going into the water but you’ve told yourself “don’t hit it in the water”. It is amazing how many times the ball goes into the water when that is our last thought or all we can see.
Our advice is to be present and be positive.
We may be stuck indoors but that doesn't mean your golf journey is on pause. Indoor putting practice, strength training, and visualization exercises are great ways to improve your game in the colder months. When the golf season rolls around, you’ll be ready to hit the course with newfound skills and confidence.
