What have you been doing since the golf season ended? Spending more time indoors now that the weather has turned? Or are you still golfing pretty regularly? Or maybe traveling, as in traveling to warmer locales to golf? Or maybe planning a trip to play golf in a warmer climate?

Some of you are diehard golfers who aren’t bothered by a little cold, but most of us will play less during the winter, regardless of our passion for the game. It’s tough to enjoy a round when you are out there in a driving, freezing cold rain for four hours.

At that time, it’s easy to let it slide. It’s easier not to play, not to practice, and not to work toward optimizing our physical and mental selves through a golf strength and conditioning program. But as you know, golf is a game of dedication. And allowing yourself to lose that focus in the off-season, makes it that much harder to start the next golf season strong. Do you really want to spend the first month or two in spring re-acclimating yourself and your body? That’s less time to play great golf.

 Each year, I get a rush of new clients at the beginning of golf season. Most golfers aren’t thinking about golf during the winter months, but as soon as the season comes upon them, they immediately realize they need to get back in shape to play. In spring and summer it’s often challenging for them to juggle their golf schedule and their training schedule. What they don’t realize is that they could have been working on their golf game all winter—indoors. This would have enabled them to start strong in the spring, and still maintain their strength and power gains with a reduced training schedule—leaving more time for golf!

So what about you? What are you doing to stay focused on golf during this off-season?

A golf strength and conditioning program is a great way to keep your most important piece of golf equipment (your body) in shape. Also, play when you can. Hit the driving range every couple of weeks. Take a lesson every once in a while. Book trips to remind yourself that it won’t be winter forever and how much you enjoy golfing when you aren’t thinking about staying warm. And if you already do all of this, go back to what you are doing for yourself physically. Eat well. Hydrate. Put even more energy into gaining strength, power, dynamic flexibility and endurance that will benefit you come spring.

Why not turn this “off-season” into an “on-season?” It could make a big difference this year! Try this simple exercise for a few minutes a day just a few days a week to help keep your core ready for spring swings!  It’s great for basic core stabilization and maintenance.

Plank with Medicine Ball

Not thinking golf? Don’t want to exercise in the off-season? Try this simple exercise for a few minutes a day just a few days a week to help keep your core ready for spring swings!  It’s great for basic core stabilization and maintenance.

I highly recommend you consult with your physician prior to beginning any type of exercise program. Do not do any activity that will aggravate any injuries you might have without consulting with your doctor or a certified trainer.

Start with a basic pushup position on the ground (not pictured.) Make sure your abs are contracted. You should feel this in your abs. If you feel it more in your back, lift your hips up slightly. It’s a great idea to do this in front of the mirror so you can see where your hips are at.

When you can hold the position for one minute, put your hands on a ball. Work up to one minute. For a greater challenge, put your feet on the ball and work up to one minute. Then put both hands and feet on medicine balls for the most challenging variation of this activity. Do two-three sets three times a week.

Pritam Andreassen is the owner of The Strength Connection, LLC, specializing in the development of strength and power for golf. The Strength Connection is located in a private athlete training facility in North

Seattle, the only facility in the area with the equipment and space for the development of explosive power through ballistic throws and movement. For more information, visit http://www.strengthconnection.com/ or call 206-579-8927.