Keeping your golf game sharp over winter

The Icelandic winter is long and the courses are closed for months. But that doesn't mean your game has to stand still.

Even if you can't play, you can maintain and even improve some of the most important parts of the game. With regular practice over winter, spring becomes a continuation of what you built rather than a fresh start.

1. Practise putting regularly at home

Putting is one of the few parts of golf that's easy to practise indoors.

With a putting mat you can work on:

• a consistent start line
• rhythm
• and the short putts that matter so much on the course.

You don't need long sessions. 10–15 minutes a few times a week usually beats one long session once a month.

2. Keep your feel for the short game

Even if you can't recreate the green indoors, you can keep your feel for chips and pitches.

Use a chipping net or soft practice balls and focus on:

• contact
• landing spot
• and a consistent swing

For most amateurs, shots around the green are among the biggest opportunities to lower the score.

3. Use a golf simulator with purpose

A simulator is a great tool if you use it deliberately.

Instead of hitting a hundred drivers, pick one goal for each session.

For example:

• increase your clubhead speed
• work on a specific swing change
• or confirm your real distances with each club.

Log the results so you can see real progress.

4. Build your body

Research shows that golf-specific strength and mobility training can increase clubhead speed, ball speed and therefore distance. It can also reduce the risk of injury.

Focus especially on:

• mobility in the upper back
• hip mobility
• strength in the core and legs.

Winter is the best time to build this.

5. Plan next season

Look back at last summer.

Where did you lose the most shots?

• Putting?
• Approach shots?
• Driving?
• Bunkers?

Pick one or two things to improve rather than trying to fix everything at once.

6. Measure your progress

What you measure, you can improve.

Log your sessions, whether they're on a putting mat, in a simulator or at the gym.

In SKAFT. you can track your progress all winter, so you see exactly what has improved when the season starts again.

The bottom line

You don't need a golf course to become a better golfer.

Regular putting, the short game, focused work in a simulator and golf strength training make it much easier to show up ready when spring comes.