9 Things To Do When The Golf Course Is Closed
Course closed today? Here are 9 ways you can still enjoy golf
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Here are nine ideas to help you make the most of your golf even when the course is closed
9 Things To Do When The Golf Course Is Closed
It's every golfer's nightmare but with the climate that we have here in the UK, we regularly see our courses closed at times during the winter months.
Whether that be from rain, fog, snow or ice - it means that golfers have to think outside of the box and look elsewhere to enjoy their golf.
Here are some ideas to make the most of your golf even when the course is closed:
1) Play a local course
A lot of golf clubs have reciprocal rights so may be able to offer you a courtesy game at another local club when yours is closed. Playing a new or different course is a great way to test your game and it's always nice to tick another course off your list. If the weather is extremely bad in your area, you may need to travel a bit further afield to have a game at a course which is open.
2) Go to the driving range
A great option is to go down the driving range to work on your swing. It's difficult to work on your swing on the golf course, whereas the range is the perfect environment to try out new things and practice all sorts of different shots throughout the bag. Or why not try and practice at home with the best golf net (opens in new tab) instead?
Related: How to practice golf
3) Have a lesson
Always fancied having a lesson with your PGA Pro but didn't want it to cut into your social golf? The course being closed gives you the perfect opportunity to iron out any flaws in your swing just in time for the start of the season.
4) Work on your short game
The course might be shut but that doesn't necessarily mean that the practice ground will be. It gives you the chance to work on your putting stroke, chipping technique and even your sand play if your club has the facilities.
Related: Golf Monthly short game tips
5) Indulge in some retail therapy
Need a new driver or set of wedges? The course being closed gives you time to go into your pro shop or local golf shop and test out all the new gear to see what suits you best. What's more you could even go for a custom fitting to fine-tune your clubs to your optimum spec.
Related: How to get the most from a custom fitting
6) Clean your clubs
Show your clubs some love and clean them along with your grips, it'll be worth it next time you go out to play and they're all shiny and new-looking again!
Related: How to properly clean your golf clubs and grips
7) Plan a golf trip
Fancy planning a trip to that GM Top 100 course you're desperate to play or looking to book a golfing holiday for you and your mates? Sit back, browse the net and make some phonecalls - there are some great deals to be had!
8) Crazy golf
Crazy golf can be fun and gives you the chance to socialise and enjoy a variant of the game in a casual atmosphere with friends and family. GM recommends Swingers in London.
9) Play a pitch and putt
Most pitch and putt courses will stay open through the winter and they give you a great chance to have some fun whilst dialling in your wedges.
Elliott Heath is our Senior Staff Writer and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news, features, courses and travel sections as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Elliott has interviewed some huge names in the golf world including Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Bernd Wiesberger and Scotty Cameron as well as a number of professionals on the DP World and PGA Tours. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as four Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays at West Byfleet Golf Club in Surrey, where his handicap index floats anywhere between 2-6. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Max
Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM Max
Irons: Mizuno MP5 4-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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