Lessons & Programs

The temperature is getting warmer, the days longer and this can only mean one thing. Spring is right around the corner and its time to start thinking golf! Here in Woodstock, we’ve seen our fair share of snow and have enjoyed some great ski days but its almost time to hang up the winter gear and start searching for your golf clubs. Maybe they’re in the garage, basement, trunk, neighbors garage or still in the bag room at the course… wherever your clubs might be its time to dig them out and get ready for the golf season! At Woodstock Country Club, we’ve prepared this simple checklist to help get you ready to play your best this Spring.

#1 - Inspect Your Equipment:

Before you head over to the course for your first round of the year, make sure you’ve located your equipment and gone through a thorough inspection. Are all your clubs there? Are your shoes missing spikes? Are your grips worn? One of the most common practices to start the season is to inspect your grips and replace if necessary. Sometimes some warm soap and water can do the trick on lightly worn grips. Though if you can see where your thumb has worn through or don’t feel any tackiness remaining, its probably time to look into re-gripping. Grips have evolved over the years just the same as other golf equipment. New materials, grip size and varying thickness have all helped golfers regain their feel. 

#2 – Start Swinging:

Now that you’ve found all your equipment to be in good working order, its time to get loosened up. Even if there is still snow on the ground you might want to start making some swings indoors. Make 100 swings per day while the snow is melting to start getting that muscle memory back. If you can place a mirror in-front and behind you to check your address positions, even better. And while you’re at it, try to visualize the shot you want to hit. The best players in the world visualize every detail before they start the club back!

#3 – Sharpen the Short Game:

Not everyone has a simulator in their barn or a local indoor practice facility. This is ok, however, because everyone is likely to have a bucket, hula hoop or something similar to chip towards. Go down to the basement and work on the fundamentals you remembered from the previous season. Keep the ball towards the back of your stance, weight forward, don’t break your wrists, keep your head still and hold your follow through. If you can practice these things now, you’ll be better equipped when the course opens.

#4 - Create a Plan:

Whether you’re looking to break 100 for the first time or thinking about entering your first Club Championship, you better start to put together a plan. Use this down time before the course opens to identify a realistic set of goals and a plan to reach them.  Remember to start small and make sure that your short and long-term goals are in line and attainable. Think about how much time you can devote to practice every week? How often will you be able to get out and play? Should you schedule a series of lessons with your local PGA Professional (Yes, is the answer!)? And remember, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to challenge yourself. Play with a different group or check your state associations schedule for individual events you can play. Whatever your goals may be for the season, make sure you take the time to write down the necessary steps for achieving them!