Winter golf...has it helped you?

[Achilles]

This winter is the first in which I have played regularly, having only been playing since 2010, and missing last winter through injury. A friend and I entered our Winter League for the sole purpose of making sure we played at least once a week, whatever the weather, to ensure our games didn't stagnate. As luck would have it, we have been blessed with great weather, and have been playing Saturday and Sunday mornings most weeks, which has been great. The last few weeks have seen both of us scoring well under handicap and we are both gagging for the first Medal of the year to get into things, as I'm sure a lot of you are...

I appreciate that courses may be a bit shorter and so forth during this time of year so I'm trying not to set any expectations for myself come March, so to those of you who play during the winter months (I'm guessing most, due the the level of obsession on here!), how do you find the start of the season? If you've managed to play lots of golf and hit form over the winter, have you been able to take that into the first few qualifiers?

 

[BTatHome]

I usually play thru the winter. Our course is the same length (no winter tees or greens) and hence probably plays longer (no role on drives)

For me it helps keep me going, and last year I started the season with 2 wins, so it must be working

 

[pokerjoke]

Im just happy to be playing regulary.
A new job has meant no practice at all.
So the weekend helps me keep my eye in.
Our club is usually open all year,and we play qualifiers all the time,even medals.

 

[patricks148]

I play though the winter just to keep my swing going. I don't like practice, so just go out to enjoy myself. It helps i'm a member at a links course too, so it's usually playable.

 

[One Planer]

Definatley helped me.

I'm using the winter months to groove swing changes, both on the course and at the range.

I'm seeing some benefit already so hopefully some good things to come next season.

 

[G1BB0]

Nope, I am still crap

 

[Imurg]

I can't see the benefit in stopping playing in November, beginning again in March and hoping the swing will still be there....
I play all through although I don't put too much stock in the way I score, especially the way I putt as our greens are bumpy and slow, making a good roll towards the cup virtually impossible.

 

[CMAC]

no, but its not hindered me either

 

[garyinderry]

i have had very few chances to play this winter due to poor weather. our winter league was cut from 10 cards down to 6 and these could be played at any time. i got my six in good and early. we didnt qualify though! ive had to adjust my game to suit the conditions and im sure it will stand me in good stead come the start of march. golf is a game that we NEVER stop learning. i doubt theres a day i go to the course that i think, well that was a complete waste of time!

 

[Dave B]

The good thing about winter golf, providing it isn't to wet is that you can have the course to yourself if you want to do 9 holes in the afternoon. The other bonus is if you have the course to yourself you can play several balls which is very useful if you've duffed a shot or wish to try a variety of shots with different clubs to see what works for you.

I must admit in the south west this winter has been very good to us and I've yet to miss a weekend due to conditions. Roll on the spring.

 

[Val]

Ive played through this winter but forgetting scores and mainly play for practice

 

[Dreamer2]

joined my club at the end of summer 2011 ,,had a couple of lessons ,so this winter Ive been practicing my grip ,swing & stance which are starting to improve day by day not scoring to good at the minute but looking forward to the summer :blah:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've played all winter. We're on a full course all year and so its played the full 6,300. I've tried not to get too fussed about bad scores, but focussed on the quality of the ball striking to ensure I don't hit too many heavy or miss fairways into thick claggy rough. The latter has been a bit of an issue of late though.

I'm happy to play in all weathers although I'd rather not start in pouring rain. I keep the waterproofs in the bag all the time so if I do get caught out at least I can soldier on, to the end of the nine I'm playing at least. I like winter golf too. You can throw it onto the greens and know it'll hold and evena hook or a slice will often stop short of the real bad stuff in the wet grass. It'll soon be March and the clocks will change

 

[mchivers]

only started playing last year so this is my first winter on the course and i love it. just needed to realise that having blocks of ice for hands didn't help. warm hands = much better day/golf

 

[DavidO]

I've managed to get out most weekends since October, so I hve felt the benefit of playing regularly!!!

I just hope it shows come April!!!

 

[Evesdad]

Nope, I am still crap

As above for me too! Few flashes of brilliance but mostly crap!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I'm only really going out for a walk. Playing off mats and some winter greens doesn't really help but at least I'm getting some fresh air and a swing at the ball.