Do you want to see something foolish? Take a look at that photo to the left. I mean, really now. Sure, that stall is covered and heated, but are you so desperate to hit a golf ball that you’ll stand outside in freezing temps at a snow-covered range on which you’ll likely have no idea where your ball actually lands? Yeah…me too.
I’ll admit to several times being that guy. Whether it’s out of boredom, or my genuine want to improve at this game, I’ve been known to hit a driving range a few times between the months of December and February. I know I could go to an indoor range, and I will. But there’s still something about tracking the flight of the ball.
But this offseason, I think I’m going to try something different. This offseason, I think I’m going to shut golf out completely. But I have reasoning behind this, and it’s really very simple. It seems as if the more I work in the offseason, the fewer results I see – and this past season was the worst yet. Coincidentally, last offseason was the one in which I practiced the most.
Now I’m not saying I’m not going to practice at all. I will still hit the indoor range once or twice, but that’s it. You see, when I first took up this game, that’s about as often as I would work in the offseason. And guess what….I improved every year! But it seemed when I would work more in the offseason and try to focus on individual aspects of my game, other parts of my game would suffer. What this added up to was higher scores, a drop-off in improvement and more frustration once out on the course.
So this offseason I am going to try to counter that by going back to the way things used to be. No more standing out in the cold at the range. Just a trip or two to the indoor range to keep the basics of my swing in order and that’s it. I figure by not focusing on any certain aspect of my game, I won’t lose anything anywhere else. Plus, let’s face it, the practice time adds pressure to perform when you get back out on the course. You go back out there expecting to see results, and if they don’t show right away…you know what I mean. Who wants to go through that?
So over the next several months, golf will be merely a distant memory. No pressure to work on the game. No high expectations. No disappointment when the expectations don’t pan out. And hopefully, with any luck, I’ll show some improvement…just like the old days before I tried!
Swing ’til you’re happy!
@ Chris..Holy smoke!! I swear you could be describing me. I went through the EXACT same thing. Last winter my goal was to take 2 strokes off my handicap. 250 hours hitting balls and 250 hours putting. 500 hours of practice total in the cold and snow just like you. The biggest effort I put into my game in the off season yet. When spring arrived I was gung ho to get on the course. Here’s what happened…a nightmare that I wouldn’t wish on my biggest enemy. Hooks, slices, fatsoes, thinners, shanks, camels, spiders and every other god forsaken shot possible. Two months of misery and an inflated handicap of 7 strokes. I NEVER throw clubs, but at the one and a half month (I play almost everyday)mark I had what felt like a stroke…goodbye brand new Burner. It was awful. Eventually I got my handicap within 1 of where it was before my pull out all the stops practice session the winter before. Afterwards, I realized that I had burned out practicing and had nothing left in my head for the course. Well, I’m not making that godzilla mistake again. At the moment I’m at 4 weeks and 2 days (LOL) without even looking at my clubs. Oh,I hear them calling me, but like you I’m going to take it easy on the practice this winter and rest my body, mind and heart. I’m missing it big-time already, but I’m not visting that nightmare again and I’m sorry you went through that as well. BTW,I had to get a google account in order to leave you this comment.lmao..Well Chris, (I feel like you’re my brother) let’s try to stick to the new game plan. I can tell that you love to practice too, but stay strong!! Good luck to you brother!!