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The Smartest Way to Prep Your Game Before the Season Starts

Late winter and early spring are the “quiet months” of golf — the stretch where the weather is unpredictable, the courses are soft, and your swing might feel a little rusty. But this window is actually one of the most valuable times of the year for improvement. With the right focus, you can build the foundation for your best season yet.

Here’s where golfers should invest their practice time as the season approaches.

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🔧 1. Rebuild Your Fundamentals Before the Season Gets Busy

Winter habits creep in fast — stiff posture, lazy alignment, inconsistent grip pressure.
Early spring is the perfect time to reset your basics.

Focus on:

• Grip pressure (lighter than you think)
• Posture (athletic, not slouched)
• Alignment (pick a target and commit)
• Ball position (small changes = big results)

These fundamentals are easier to refine when you’re not grinding through weekly rounds. A few focused sessions now prevent months of mid‑season frustration.

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🏌️‍♂️ 2. Groove a Repeatable Tempo

Cold weather tightens muscles and shortens swings. When spring arrives, many golfers rush the transition and lose rhythm.

Use this period to rebuild your tempo:

• Count “1‑2‑3” in your head
• Match backswing and downswing speeds
• Practice slow‑motion swings indoors

A smooth tempo is the glue that holds your mechanics together — and it’s one of the easiest things to train before the season starts.

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🎯 3. Prioritize Contact Over Distance

Early spring turf is soft, wet, and unforgiving. If your contact is off, the course will expose it immediately.

This is the time to sharpen:

• Low‑point control
• Center‑face strikes
• Consistent divot patterns

Simple drills like placing a tee in front of the ball or drawing a line on the mat help you learn to strike the ground in the same place every time. When contact improves, distance naturally returns.

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🔄 4. Clean Up Your Swing Path

Winter swings often get steep or across the line because of limited mobility and indoor practice. Early spring is the ideal time to recalibrate your path.

Work on:

• Shallowing the club in transition
• Delivering the club from the inside
• Matching path and face for predictable ball flight

A cleaner path sets up the entire season for straighter shots and more distance — without needing to swing harder.

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🧠 5. Rebuild Your Short‑Game Feel

Cold weather destroys touch. Greens are slow, your hands are numb, and your instincts fade.

As soon as the weather allows, spend time on:

• Chipping with different trajectories
• Distance‑control putting
• Bunker basics

Short‑game feel returns faster than full‑swing mechanics, but only if you give it attention early. A few weeks of focused practice now can save you 5–10 strokes when the season starts.

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💪 6. Add Light Mobility and Strength Work

Late winter and early spring are perfect for low‑impact golf fitness. You don’t need a gym — just consistency.

Prioritize:

• Hip mobility
• Thoracic rotation
• Core stability
• Light speed training (once a week)

A more mobile body produces a freer, more powerful swing — and reduces injury risk when you ramp up your rounds.

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🏌️ 7. Simulate On‑Course Decisions

Even if you’re practicing indoors or on a limited range, you can sharpen your mental game.

Try:

• Playing a “virtual” nine holes
• Hitting different clubs to the same target
• Practicing pre‑shot routines
• Rehearsing pressure shots

This builds confidence and decision‑making before you step onto real fairways.

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⭐ The Bottom Line

Late winter and early spring aren’t just transitional months — they’re your competitive advantage. While most golfers wait for perfect weather, you can use this time to:

• Reset your fundamentals
• Rebuild tempo
• Improve contact
• Clean up your swing path
• Sharpen short‑game feel
• Boost mobility
• Strengthen your mental game

By the time the season officially starts, you won’t be “warming up.” You’ll be ready to play your best golf from day one.