The season is just around the corner, writes Northern Golfer editor Dean Bailey, and it’s time to get back to work
Having watched far too much TV recently – including Mark Clattenburg readying contenders and gladiators (yes, it’s been a long winter) my anxiety about the upcoming golf season has reached the point where I have been spurred into action.
In recent years – partly due to the abysmal weather of 2023/4 and mostly due to my own laziness, I’ve played a lot less golf in the winter months than I used to. This winter, I’ve also found I’m practising less than I have in the past. When taken together, I don’t have much hope of maintaining my handicap index at 5.9 in the opening weeks of the season as I put together the first edition of 2025.
However, there is still time to sort myself, and my game, out.
Good, consistent practice has always been the key to good golf for me and I’ve got a plan of range sessions and studio time laid out for February. Add in my new putting mat – handily setup within a few steps of my desk – and things are already looking up. I have also cleaned my clubs in anticipation of getting back to being a proper golfer, having almost forgotten about them during December and January.
I applaud every golfer, professional or amateur, who works on their game consistently in our part of the world in the winter months. It’s difficult, and I hope you reap the rewards and show all of us who have been slacking how to play good golf when the season gets underway.
It can be hard to find inspiration to work on your game in the winter months, but we all know the rewards are there when we put the time in. Having spent some time in the last few weeks with professional golfers including Jess Baker and Rosie Belsham – both of whom having been putting in the hard yards at home in the North East this winter – I feel inspired to get back to working on my own game. Add in some much-needed stretching and a pressing need to get back to some level of golf fitness, and there’s a lot to do – but there’s still plenty of time before tee bookings open for the April medal.
Pay a visit to your coach – or get your first lesson booked in – and get along to the driving range or simulator a few times in the next couple of weeks and you too will be itching to get the season underway.
Now, where are my golf shoes…
