How to work on your golf game in the winter without hitting balls

The thick of winter is finally here. With the holidays behind us and the temperatures plunging lower every day, the countdown to spring is officially on for every golfer.

Six weeks stand between us and the start of a new golf season. And for some, the season will be delayed even longer. We’re at the mercy of Mother Nature, and until she gives us warm temps and sunshine, golf season will be on hold.

Winter is the worst part of the year for any avid golfer. When you’ve got the golf bug, all you want to do is get out on the course. In the winter, that can be hard — but it doesn’t mean your golf game has to suffer. But there’s good news: you don’t necessarily have to practice your swing to keep your golf game in shape over the winter.

“Stay active,” says instructor Gia Liwski. “Fitness is really important. Anything you can do to stay fit is going to be good.”

That can mean anything from stretching to weightlifting or even cardio exercises. If it gets you off the couch and moving around, it will likely benefit your golf game once spring rolls around.

“Anything you do to create movement with your arms and your legs will be good,” she says. “You don’t even need a golf club. You can just stand in front of the mirror and get your arms moving and have your lower body match. I think that helps. It doesn’t have to be full golf swings in the simulator.”

Most golfers think the only way to keep their swings fresh in the winter is to head to the range and make full swings. However, as Liwski explains, as long as you keep your body moving over the cold months, your swing should be fine when spring rolls around.

“Just keep your body moving and active and thinking about the golf swing,” she says. “Stay moving and relaxing and loosening up. It will transfer to hitting good golf shots.”

One more thing you can work on inside: balance! You can see Liwski’s tips for finding balance in the video below. Try it out — even if you swap sunny Arizona for your chilly basement.

Gia Liwski is the Creator & Host of Golf Experiences for Her® and a teaching professional at Fiddler’s Elbow in Bedminster, N.J.