How to Stay in Golfing Shape During the Off Season

Here in Lake Country we can’t play golf year round. The winters are freezing and snow is on the ground. The golf season roughly runs from April/May through October depending on the weather. That leaves 5-6 months where outdoor golf is not an option.

When golf season arrives you want to be able to enjoy it and play as often as possible. You don’t want to waste the first month getting back in shape or have an injury pop up. Using the offseason to stay in golfing shape is a great use of the winter.

There are a few options to make sure you stay in golfing shape so that you are ready when golf season arrives.

Playing Indoor Golf

Indoor golf is getting a lot more popular and much more accessible. There are multiple indoor golf bars to have fun and work on your golf. It can be a great way to play a few rounds in the offseason and get reps in. Playing a simulator round will keep you working on realistic shots instead of just whacking balls into a net. You also get a chance to play some of the top courses all over the world.

The simulator technology is great and offers instant feedback on each shot. You can dial in your shot shape and distances. When you get back on the course you will know where the ball is going and wont be rusty.

Get in the gym to stay in golfing shape

Starting a workout routine to target your mobility and strength is a perfect use of the offseason. If you found yourself getting stiffer and not hitting the ball as far near the end of the last season then you have a few things to improve on. Getting stronger can help you hit the ball further and not wear out. Working on hip and thoracic mobility will be beneficial for almost everyone. This blog post goes over some great exercises to include in your workout.

For some strength or explosiveness will be the biggest thing to improve your distance. For others it will be mobility so that you can get into better positions. Knowing what you need to target the most will be the most effective. Getting some sort of assessment from a strength coach, personal trainer, or rehab professional will be able to highlight the areas to address that will be the most effective. For a golf specific assessment a TPI provider would be your best bet.

Actually take care of your nagging aches and pains

If you have been dealing with any nagging injuries, now is the time to solve that issue. It could look like back soreness after every round, a stiff elbow on the back nine, or knee pain lining up a putt. Those are not normal things that happen when you play golf. Your body is trying to tell you that something isn’t quite right.

Getting assessed by someone who specializes in golf injuries is key so that you can make sure it translates to your performance on the course. Don’t let that injury carry over to next season and continue to get worse. If it gets to the point where you have to stop playing it will take much longer to recover from and you will miss out on some valuable time on the course.

Next Steps

I would encourage you to continue to work on your golf in the offseason if you want to get the most out of your next season. The best ways to make sure you stay in golfing shape when you can’t golf outside are:

• Play indoor golf to stay sharp and improve your shots
• Get in the gym to improve your mobility and strength
• Take care of your nagging injuries

Physical Therapy in Lake Country

If you aren’t sure what to work on or how your injuries relate to golf, reach out to us. We specialize in helping golfers get the most out of their body and enjoy the sport they love.