Winter golf may not sound appealing to everyone, but those willing to battle the elements will be well-placed to start the new season ahead of the curve. While Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are fortunate to experience year-round climates that allow local and visiting golfers to keep their clubs out throughout the year, there are still certain times when it’s far from ideal.
With temperatures in the 50s or low 60s (or sometimes colder), avid golfers will be preparing to find their winter golf attire to brave the forces of nature. Shorter daylight hours, dormant grass, and a time when many golf courses will use winter months as an opportunity to make changes due to the lesser activity are all obstacles that year-round golfers will need to overcome. Those who do this can expect to be perfectly prepared to start the new golf season ready to beat those that put their clubs away for the season.
Here are the best ways you can ensure your golf game remains sharp throughout the winter months on the courses along Alabama Beaches.
Don’t Forget the Driving Range or Home
Golf is not just about visiting the golf course and seeing how many holes you can complete before it gets dark! Focused practice is critical, and visiting the driving range, such as the Orange Beach Golf Center & Driving Range, is a great way to achieve this. Whether you are looking to work on swing mechanics or perhaps fine-tune your short game skills on the practice green or chipping area, spending a couple of hours at the range is a great way to improve your winter golf game during the winter months.
Of course, there may be some days when the weather is unrelenting, and instead, you may want to focus your practice session at home. Depending on your space, you may consider purchasing a practice net that you can put together in your garage or other area. This is a great way to continue swinging your clubs, working on your ball contact, and even perhaps working on putting on your bedroom carpet!
For those looking to take their game to the next level, technology has advanced to allow golf simulators to be created at home, frequently at an affordable price. You can spend as much as you want, but you will always want to go back to the course as nothing can replace the on-course experience.
Lower Your Expectations
The winter months are not for achieving career-best scores on the golf course. The colder temperatures impact the distance a golf ball will travel, the wet conditions may create more difficult shots that you cannot control, and many courses may be going through a transition phase in preparation for the new season. If you need to lift and place your ball, don’t be afraid to do so.
All of these combined create a challenging experience, so don’t be discouraged if your scores are higher. Remember, the key to playing golf in winter is to maintain those reps in your golf swing and, most importantly, have fun!