How to make the absolute most of your practice time

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Offseason Golf Practice: How to Improve When the Course is Closed

When the weather turns cold and the course closes for the season, it’s easy to feel like your golf game needs to go into hibernation. But for me, the offseason is one of the most exciting times of the year. It’s a chance to reflect, reset, and make meaningful improvements to your game without the pressure of performance.

I’ve spent years coaching some of the best players in the world, and one thing I’ve learned is that the offseason is a golden opportunity to get better. Whether you’re a weekend golfer or aiming for a lower handicap, you can use this time to level up your skills.

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Why the Offseason is Key to Improvement

During the season, it’s hard to step back and evaluate your game—you’re focused on playing, scoring, and performing. The offseason, however, gives you the space to:

1. Reflect on what went well and what needs work.

2. Create a plan to address weaknesses.

3. Build proper habits and movement patterns that will stick once the season starts again.

I’ll admit, rest and recovery are important, but once you’re ready to ramp back up, it’s critical to have a structured practice plan to make your time count.

How I Structure Offseason Practice

I like to break practice sessions into three phases:

1. Block Practice – Focus on specific drills to refine movements and mechanics.

2. Transition Practice – Blend drills with more natural swings to prepare for on-course play.

3. Random Practice – Simulate real golf scenarios to challenge your game readiness.

My Go-To Offseason Drills

1. Balance Rod Drill

• Purpose: Improve balance and weight distribution during your swing.

How to Perform:

1. Place an alignment stick under your feet to feel your weight shifts.

2. Hit short shots while staying balanced throughout.

3. Practice 20 shots to build a solid foundation for your swing.

• Why It Works: Balance fixes so many swing issues naturally—it’s a game-changer for any golfer.

2. Parallel Shaft Drill

• Purpose: Get your club in the correct position at key checkpoints.

How to Perform:

1. Take the club back until your lead arm is parallel to the ground.

2. Pause and check if the shaft points at your target line.

3. Gradually progress to full swings without stopping.

• Why It Works: This drill helps you build a repeatable swing by training your body to expect the correct positions.

3. Round-the-World Wedge Drill

• Purpose: Develop precision with wedge distances and trajectories.

How to Perform:

1. Choose a pin and hit shots short, long, left, and right of it.

2. Simulate different conditions (e.g., high shot for a back pin, low shot for a front pin).

• Why It Works: Mastering wedge control separates good players from great ones.

Practice Like You Play

One of the best ways to transition your practice to the course is by simulating real scenarios. For example, load up a challenging hole like the 18th at Pebble Beach on a simulator and practice with consequences. Add wind, adjust pin positions, and play it like you’re on the course. This type of practice is invaluable for building confidence and preparing for real-life challenges.

Don’t Forget Speed Work

I like to finish practice sessions with some speed training. Take 5 swings with your driver, focusing solely on increasing clubhead speed. Don’t worry about shot accuracy—just measure your speed and aim to beat your baseline. Small gains in speed can lead to big differences on the course.

Final Thoughts

The offseason isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Use this time to reflect on your game, set goals, and work on the fundamentals. With a structured plan, you’ll not only maintain your skills but come back stronger and more confident when the season starts.

Thanks for reading! If you found this helpful, please share it with your golf buddies. I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions you have—just leave a comment or send me a message. Let’s make this offseason your best one yet!

About Ralph Bauer

Ralph Bauer has coached on the PGA Tour since 2009. He’s worked at all four majors, the Olympics, and has helped two of his players win major championships. His students have earned over $400 million in PGA Tour earnings. He’s coached on five continents and at every level of the game—and he co-created the Tour Read system to make green reading easier for every golfer.