Play better this winter

INSTRUCTION

- Neil Marr with Jeremy Ellwood

Playing this great game of ours during the winter months can be a very different proposition to the heady golfing days of summer. We’re forced to layer up, try to keep warm and look to deal with a softer and wetter golf course and everything the elements might throw at us in the way of wind, rain or worse. It’s different, but it’s certainly not impossible if you go about things the right way.

In this winter instruction special, Neil Marr, PGA Professional at Meldrum House in Aberdeenshire, shares some tips and advice to help you play better golf this winter. So, when the mercury dips and the heavens open, you’ll be well placed to deal with the game’s many off-season challenges, from driving in the wind and playing from wet grass or sand to putting on slower greens.

Read on if you’re keen to keep playing to the best of your ability over these more testing golfing months…

1 Driving in the wind

The first thing I would say is you should adjust your expectations and gameplay, as you’ll be driving it different distances due to the softer ground conditions and cooler air. So, bunkers and certain danger spots you’re normally worried about may be out of range.

Downwind ‘Tee it high, let it fly’ is an old cliche, but a good one. Stand a little wider, keep the ball forward in your stance and set more weight on your right side. Do this by tilting your spine away from the target a little to hit it on the up and make full use of the tailwind.