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For those who live in the north and east, keeping your golf game in top condition is important. Here are some simple little things that will allow you to be ready at all times. The time involved is less, but it has produced tremendous results for many.
Having grown up in the Midwest and along Lake Michigan, I fully understand the plight of golfers living in the snowy states during the winter. His season is drastically shortened by several factors. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find some simple things you can do to keep your game in shape all winter long. The results you will see from the 2010 golf season will be much more than you anticipate or expect.
Here’s a bulleted list:
Set aside $8.00 per week for the next 14 weeks. Why? NEW GRIPS Heat has this dreaded effect on golf grips, drying them out, making them brittle and slippery. You must change your grips at least once a year AT THE BEGINNING of the SEASON. Before you put your sticks away for the winter, be sure to clean them thoroughly…especially the grooves! warm soapy water and an old toothbrush will do the trick. Then dry them well too and wrap the heads in plastic wrap. The saran wrap will keep moisture out of the clubs and help prevent rust from forming. Oh, I know there are some who will say that stainless steel never rusts… Uh Huh, and pigs can fly too. Not all sticks are stainless steel and most have some form of chrome plating.
At least by doing this, you won’t have to brush them again when the season starts. Alternatively, and with a little more effort, you could get some paraffin wax and seal them for the winter. To do this, melt the wax and dip each stick in it and then allow it to dry. When the season comes, just remove the wax. I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it works well for doing this. If you go for this… don’t use your wife’s good frying pans. They have an affinity for getting annoyed by this. Go to the dollar store and buy a cheap skillet. It’s either that or face the prospect of eating wax once or twice for dinner.
Put your golf bag inside a travel bag, this serves at least three purposes, it prevents them from collecting dust, eliminates some ability for moisture to reach them and keeps them ready at a moment’s notice. Who knows, you might have the opportunity to take a mini-vacation to a warmer climate to play golf. Or in the previous wax in the pan box makes it easy to escape. Now for your own game of golf. More bullets for you, smile.
Go to any hardware store and buy yourself a 3/4-inch wooden dowel. Wrap one of its ends with guazetex. It only needs to be about 2 feet long. While you’re sitting at home, you could be watching the golf channel and working on your grip at the same time. The 3/4-inch tang is about the same size as a grip. The guazetex will give you a chance to hold onto it more easily. And the spouse will appreciate that you don’t leave the golf clubs lying around the house all winter long.
With another reference to working on your grip…grip it firmly and hold it for 30 seconds at a time. This will build strength in your hands and forearms, making it easier for you to transition to your golf clubs when the time comes and the season approaches. Yes I know, everyone always tells you to grip the stick lightly. In my next article I will talk specifically about grip and grip pressure. Needless to say, it’s not what you may think. And I can prove it.
Practice your laying on the mat. Trust me, this does wonderful things for your golf game and score. And shag rugs aside (which luckily I haven’t seen seems like forever), it will always keep you in the game. Use a dime as a target and roll the ball over the top of the dime. If your ball rolls more than 12 inches past the dime, you hit it too hard. You already know the result of the drill in this one.
If you can get away with it… stick some balls in the couch or your favorite chair. My disclaimer to everyone on this is… THERE ARE NO FULL TURNS, AND THERE ARE NO GAPS IN THE CARPET. I don’t want a plethora of women looking to lynch me because you took my advice and hit the ceiling or tore up the carpet.. Remember that your only goal is to get the ball up. SOME learn and keep some feeling. This will definitely teach you some tact. The game here is learning how to sweep the ball from the surface, leaving no damage, and preventing all the balls from bouncing off the meat. Again, there will be a more descriptive article on chipping in the future. That’s all for now and until the next article. Happy golf and have a great day.