Here we are, two weeks from Christmas and the bad news is that I haven’t played since the last week of October. My season-ending November golf/beach trip never happened because of bad weather and I have that weird feeling like when you read nine chapters in a 10-chapter book and never pick it up to finish. I keep looking for a good weekend day to properly close 2019, but either work, football, or the honey-do list get in the way.
The good news is that my 2020 season start is just around the corner. I’ll kickoff in mid-February with a trip to Myrtle Beach. At a recent family gathering, I was invited to participate in a 20-man event for five days of Ryder Cup style competition. We’ll be divided into two 10-man teams and have four rounds scheduled at all the Barefoot courses along with a round at Grand Dunes. This is going to be awesome! But how do I prepare? I booked a flight in a day earlier and will try to practice/play a round, but that’s just to bang off some rust. Would definitely want some more regular activity during the winter, and was thinking about my friend Jim at The Grateful Golfer. He’s constructing an indoor hitting station. What I wouldn’t give to have a setup like that for the cold months! Jim, can I come over and swat a few?
Some of the guys playing this event come from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but others are from the Carolinas and California, so they’ll be a mix of rust and good preparation leading up to tournament time. I haven’t practiced heavily in the off season for years. The older I get, the less accepting I am of cold weather, but there’s a heated/covered range within a 20-minute drive and I might have to make use as a stop gap. I’d hate to show up in February not having swung a club for a couple months.
Any suggestions for off-season ball striking practice?
Play well!
All About Golf 
Brian
Well the trip sounds awesome! You absolutely can make the 11 hour drive into the frozen tundra to hit a few balls into my indoor hitting net. Although it would be awesome, not sure you have that kind of time….haha. Keeping active is definitely the first step and stretching. If nothing else, stretch. But, you already know this.
I believe Ben Hogan suggests to swing the golf club 100 times a day even if you do not hit a ball. That might be a good place to start. I have an orange whip that I will be using. It is good for indoors if you have a high ceiling. I look forward to reading about what you come up with. On a side note, thanks for the mention.
Cheers Jim
Jim, that Orange Whip is looking like an excellent last minute addition to my Christmas list. I’ve got the stretching and golf workout checked off but it’s hard to stay motivated without actual contact and seeing some ball flight. I’ll figure something out. Thanks!
Brian