5 Tips from Head Professional Gareth Johnson to stay warm and improve your golf this winter!
When the weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful, it might be the only time where the golf course or practice ground might not be the most appetising of places. As golfers, we still need our golf fix though, so we asked our Head Professional, Gareth Johnson, for five tips to get our golf fix while the weathers not so great, and that’ll help us all hit the ground running in 2025.
Tip 1: The Gate Drill
This is a drill you can do in the comfort and warmth of your own home to help with your putting stroke consistency, alignment and strike. All you need is two objects (boxes, books, cups etc), two tees and your putter.
Steps:
1. Place the two objects you have on the floor slightly wider apart than the width of your putter head.
2. Place the two tees to form a ‘gate’ for you to putt through. Start at a ball and a half’s width apart.
3. Practice putting the ball through the ‘gate’ without knocking over the tees
4. Gradually narrow the ‘gate’ or move it further away from you as you improve
Tip: Striking the putter in the centre of the face is crucial for consistency and accuracy in putting. When the ball is struck off-centre, distance control and quality of roll is negatively affected, similar to how an off-centre strike with a driver affects distance, it leads to reduced ball speed, not reaching the target as effectively, and potentially veering off line. A centred strike maximizes the transfer of energy, ensuring optimal speed, a smoother roll, and better overall performance on the greens.
Tip 2: 1-2-3 Ladder Drill Tempo
This is another drill you can do at home and is to build consistency of tempo and length of swing with varying putt lengths. All you need for this drill is four tees, a few small objects for targets, your putter and enough space for multiple distances.
Steps:
1. Set up the tees to swing the putter between to gauge for the length of your stroke
2. Set up a target for each length of stroke
3. Putt to the first target (approx. 4/5 feet) until you make it three times in a row
4. Move to the next distance (approx. 8/9 feet) and repeat.
Tip: Practice the length of stroke with your natural rhythm to see how far the ball goes before placing the targets. Focus on keeping the same stroke rhythm and aligning properly for each attempt.
Tip 3: Chair/Wall Drill
A third tip you can do at home and will help you stay in posture throughout your swing. All you need for this one is a chair and a wall.
Steps:
1. Stand in your golf posture with your head against the wall
2. Place the chair behind you so the edge of the seat lightly touches your backside when you’re stood in your set up.
3. Cross your arms over your chest or mimic gripping a club
4. Perform a slow backswing, keeping contact with the wall and the chair.
5. Transition into the downswing whilst maintaining contact with the wall and chair until after impact.
Key Focus: Ensure your hips rotate rather than sliding forward and maintain your spine angle throughout the movement.
Tip: Practice this drill in front of a mirror for visual feedback and make slow, deliberate movements to reinforce proper mechanics.
Tip 4: Make use of the Trackman Golf Studio
We’re proud of our Trackman Golf Studio, offering members and visitors alike the opportunity to practice their game in a warm indoor setting. Our suite is available to hire for sessions of 30 minutes or longer, allowing you to either practice your swing on your own or with a group of friends.
Using the Trackman software will allow you to work on your swing with plenty of data giving you immediate feedback, or play world renown courses regardless of the weather and without leaving Leeds
Tip 5: Book lessons
Our professional team of Gareth, Aidan, Tom and Jamie are available to help your game, build confidence and learn a new skill or two. They offer a number of options in terms of lessons and can develop a bespoke Winter Programme with you, giving you areas to work on and drills to suit your game. The Trackman Golf Studio enables your lessons to take place in a warm environment too, protected from the cold weather outside.
So, there you have it. Five tips to give you your golf fix, whilst the weather outside is frightful, and the fire is so delightful. All you need to do now is let it snow, let it snow, let it snow whilst you work on these five tips!
