Preseason: Anyone else gearing up to golf?

General Discussion
#1

I know we have some people who can play year round, but I think most people here are seasonal golfers… For me, February is probably the last month where 18 holes won’t be an option (I’m in Louisville, KY).

My club starts it’s “season” in April and it runs through September, I’m hoping to be more active in it this year, but we will see…

As I gear up to go into the 2021 season, I’m trying to make sure I’m prepped to play good golf (and hopefully not injure myself again)… I’ve never really considered the months leading into golf a “preseason” and usually just stored my clubs until it was warm enough to play again… I’m trying to do it different this year, as I want to come out swinging…

On that front:

  • My equipment is settled… mostly. Need to tinker with the shaft and settings of my new driver (Thanks, @jon) but I have the shafts I’ll probably play in the house already. I’ve written enough about my putter… and the rest of my clubs are fine. (Hybrid and 3 wood can be replaced, but it’s not a priority)
  • I’ve actually spent time practicing my putting. Tempo drills in the basement, tempo drills on the practice green… I have a setup I like in my basement for drills, and spend 10-30 minutes working on technique most days.
  • Return to weight lifting. Starting out slow right now, but gaining back strength and then moving back into the Fit For Golf workouts. Still lots of focus on core stability and hip flexibility to prevent injury.
  • I’m plotting out my plans for using the new simulators… mostly just getting my wedge distances in a better dispersion pattern. The install is almost done, and should be accessible after President’s Day.

So that is my plan to warm up for the golf season, and hopefully put some good early rounds in… I’m a 6 right now (I was a 5 before the back injury) and I’m hoping to have some rounds in the low 70s this season…

Anyone else starting to gear up for Spring?

6 Likes
#2

I am also trying to make sure I am ready for Spring. It has been pretty mild here for the most part in the northeast. Obviously its all relative though. We just got snowed on to the tune of 14 inches.

I have my Skytrak setup for my garage that I have been using. Practicing wedge distances, playing closest to the pin games, bag mapping feature and the different things that come with the game improvement package. I haven’t pulled the trigger for course simulation yet. TGC 2019 is ‘on sale’ for like $800 last I looked. I heard there could be a 2021 coming out. I also don’t like that WGT does not have local multiplayer so I probably wont be getting that yet. I barely have the room in my garage for it but it works well. I have to move some things and organize more to open up some space but that is a different story. I use my phone for now and it works great, just small.

My 10 year old and I share an hour lesson twice a month on a GCQuad, with a great coach. We have been talking about some goals, swing thoughts, and pre shot routine along with hitting shots and the endless work that goes along with that.

I am trying to get a little more out of my 3 wood and driver at the moment. I have a decent grasp on iron shots and I think that trying to tighten up off the tee can help me with my goals.

My revision was 7.7 when the season ended. I would like to be more consistently in the 70’s this year, maybe getting the handicap down to the 5 range.

Exercise is the best thing at the moment. I am trying to drop a few pounds that I gained due to some plantar fasciitis. I am back to cardio workouts and when the snow melts I will be getting back to running. I enjoy the 10k distance. It has been a little bit of a lazy winter for me working out. It is important to me to not have to struggle to walk 18 holes. I know not everyone feels the same way but -most- courses I can walk without any problem, not out of breath huffing and puffing when I get to my ball regardless of the elevation changes. There are exceptions where some courses wont allow walking because the course was not made to walk. Insert Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club etc… Fitness has only helped my game.

So with all the practice and exercise combined, I am certainly gearing up for Spring.

4 Likes
#3

Just got about 18" of snow yesterday so golf seems far off. I have been exercising regularly…including shoveling snow 4 times in the last 24 hours. I should have more strength come Spring, but I need to pop up my net in the garage more often and work on my swing and tempo. I’ve been practicing putting in my home office more often as well.

I have to admit that I find it hard to be motivated to practice knowing that I won’t be playing golf for probably at least 2 months. I’m exercising because I know it’s good more me and I feel better, but I’m not too inclined to practice my swing or putting. Last year I got a bunch of practice in December and January to be ready for a golf trip. No golf trip this year due to Covid so I don’t have that to motivate me.

3 Likes
#4

YES! Sorry, getting giddy with anticipation! Our regional senior tour is getting underway and I’m looking forward to playing some real competitive golf again in a few weeks!
Might need a game plan:

  • I’m thinking I might wash clubs, clean out grooves.
  • Dust off yardage books, break out Google Earth and start making game plans.
  • Going from ‘practice/fun/buddy’ rounds to competition is going to be a huge adjustment mentally and emotionally. Might need a Rum&Pepsi and ponder. Or two.
  • Probably should regrip my set; might have to throw a brisket on the smoker for that one.
  • A few range sessions with LM to get carry distances without coats, sweaters, jackets, etc.
  • Drag out the flex bands, kettle bells and do some strength training. Might need to throw some wings on the smoker for this.

Ok, think I’m all set!

4 Likes
#5

Nice! I was cleaning out my traeger and decided to change the thermostat… I thought it would be easy… and it was, mostly… the washer holding the thermometer to the screw won’t budge, so now the whole thing is in pieces as I figure out my next step (really, I just need to borrow a sawzall)

#6

My pre-season dream:
Drive like McIlroy, chip like Mickelson, putt like Tiger

Season reality:
Drive like Mickelson, putt like McIlroy, chip like Tiger

2 Likes
#7

Haha, I’d take that game… I’d assume that the worst overall stat for a professional golfer is better than any stat I have on the course (I might get some of them on driving distance, but definitely not distance + accuracy).

My simulators still aren’t in at the club (pushed back to March for custom netting), but my back is still hurting, so probably for the best!

#8

I’ve been having my most “active” golf winter thanks to my club installing simulators this year. Also been wearing out my putting mat and making it a point to get a speed sticks session in 3 times a week.

I’ve also been logging time on the Imagine Golf app after it was recommended here and I love it. I always thought I had decent course management, but it could always be better

At some point this year I may spring to get fit for some new irons. I’ve mentioned before that I made the switch back to traditional clubs after a few seasons of single length. My eBay-bought set has served me well though, so we’ll see how the season starts

1 Like
#9

Definitely dialing it up here. I live in MN and the high temp today is -1. :cold_face:

I have a SkyTrak that I use 3 days a week, and I break my practice up into chunks of technical, and games.

SuperSpeed twice a week.

Just went this week to do a TPI assessment and got some exercises to help me move better. The great thing is that the TPI assessor and my instructor work out of the same building in the winter so they chatted about my swing to make sure the exercises would match up with what I’m working to do.

Putting mat in my office and I’m committed to 25+ putts a day.

Also, 25+ chips a day.

I went last week and got all my clubs gapped and adjusted so looking good there.

I’m scheduled next week to attend an AimPoint Express class.

I also just ordered a ShotScope V3 to collect data for all my rounds this year.

I’ve got a trip to Tucson in March where I’ll play 6-7 rounds so that’ll be the first test of real golf for me this year. Excited to get it going.

2 Likes
#10

I have massive weather issues here. About 22” of snow over the last week, so real life outdoor golf is a ways away. I’ve got my garage set up all done and ready to go (pictured below). I got my replacement SC300 and it’s been a godsend for keeping my swing fresh and measuring speed increases that I’ve been working hard on. It’s not 100% accurate. I brought it with me to Club Champion for my iron fitting yesterday just to get an idea of how far off it is and it’s actually pretty close. It measures low on speed and distance, but only by an average of 2 yards and under 1mph club head speed. Pretty good for a $500 unit I won in @jon giveaway. Very happy with it.

That brings me to my iron fitting yesterday. My iron play has been ok, but I was fit by a subpar fitter a little over three years ago and though I’ve loved my Srixon Z765s, it was time to be fit by a professional and really get dialed in. I ended up with Mizuno JPX 921s with KBS C Taper 130 shafts and I can’t believe how pure these things are. They’re only 1° stronger across the board than my Z765s. My Srixon 6i was carrying 187. The Mizuno 6i was carrying 211 with the exact ball flight and ideal spin for my game. Unreal results.

This is the sort of stuff I wanted to use my off-season for. Gaining speed, getting healthy, and dialing in the last bit of equipment I needed to. So far so good. Should have my irons in six weeks. Hopefully the sun comes out between now and then.

image
image1512×2016 1.45 MB

6 Likes