Rick’s Monthly Golf Tip

The winter in the northeast usually causes most avid golfers to put their clubs away until the next golf season. However if you equip yourself with some training aids or enjoy video games, then the winter months can be a time to improve your game. Here are a few ideas for helping you get through the winter season.

Weighted Club
There are many benefits to swinging a weighted club in the off-season. Swinging a weighted club will help your flexibility, teach you how to swing on-plane, help you feel the correct release and most importantly, add distance to your tee shots! There are many makes and models but I recommend either the IZZO or Momentus models. I have used both and will be putting them to good use this winter.

Hand Strengtheners
The only part of your body that touches your club is your hands. I can't stress to you enough how important it is to have strong hands, wrists and forearms. You will be able to swing the club faster, improve your grip and create a dynamic impact position with stronger hands. Spending 15 minutes a day this winter strengthening your hands will pay big dividends when you play your first round this spring. There are a variety of hand strengtheners. CLICK HERE to view a search I did on Amazon. I suggest the NSD Power Essential Spinner Gyroscope Wrist and Forearm Trainer. You can train your wrists and forearms at the same time.
CLICK HERE to view the website. Good luck strengthening this winter!

Opti Shot Indoor Simulator
For those of you who have high ceilings and extra room, the Opti Shot Simulator will provide you hours of entertainment. The Opti Shot is an inexpensive golf simulator that lets you tee it up in your living room. The simulator will also provide you with important swing analysis data such as: club head speed, face angle, swing path, distance traveled, face contact and visual feedback of each shot. This is the ultimate toy for golf addicts who can't stay away from the links for more than a few weeks. CLICK HERE to view reviews from Amazon. CLICK HERE to view the Opti Shot website.

Nintendo WII – Tiger Woods Golf 2013- Play Augusta National!
IIf you enjoy golf video games then you may want to ask for an Nintendo WII video game console this holiday season. The Nintendo WII console's main benefit is it allows you to make an actual golf swing while you watch the ball fly on your TV. Travel with Tiger around the world as he plays the greatest tracks in golf including Pebble Beach, TPC Sawgrass, Bethpage Black and the famous Augusta National. The WII is reasonably priced at $149.99 and will provide you tons of entertainment this winter. If you love golf and video games than look no further than Tiger Woods 2012 on the Nintendo Wii.

Golf Movies
To help you get through those snow storms you may want to rent a few good golf movies. In my opinion the number one golf movie of all time is Caddyshack. I watch Caddyshack at least once every year and always get a cramp from laughing so hard. Although not in the league of Caddyshack, Tin Cup is another great golf movie. It tells the story of a range pro (Kevin Costner) who attempts to get back to the PGA tour via the US Open. Here are a few more that are worth watching: The Legend of Bagger Vance, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Bobby Jones (Stroke of Genius) and Dead Solid Perfect. *Click On The Movie Title For Movie Rating, Actors and Reviews.

The winter is a tough time for avid golfers, but with a little imagination you will be able to keep your sanity until the courses open in the spring. I hope you enjoyed the golf tips this year and wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.