Improve your golf swing — indoors!

By Chuck Cox

Improving your golf swing is one of those quests that requires practice again and again. Even though there is no substitute for the experience of getting out on the course, there are plenty of ways to improve your game at home without taking out lamps, TV screens, or family pets in the process.

From something as simple as golf exercises to stay in shape, all the way to buying a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator, improving your golf swing is possible any time of the year and in any weather.

And it all starts with the basics.

Golf swing tips from the pros

Even beginners can work on their golf swings indoors. “We encourage all people, the ones who are taking beginner classes especially, to go home between classes and put a couple of tees down on the carpet a little wider apart than the golf club and away from anything,” says Brian Mahon, director of the Hank Haney Golf Center in Dallas, Texas.

“Then, just swing and try to brush the ground in between the two tees. That’s a great way to do it. You get the feedback.”

Golf simulators, golf exercises, and indoor putting greens

Becoming a better golfer at home can be done in several ways, from online tips, golf exercises, and even indoor putting greens. Here are a few:

• Exercise, stretch, and work with medicine balls.
• Use an in-home golf simulator or specially made indoor putting greens or putting carpet.
• Get online tips from the pros, including having an instructor evaluate your swing online.
• Watch online video of professionals and note how they swing.

How about video games?

Mahon, who has been partnered with Haney since 1994, says playing a video game, even one that requires players to actually make physical motions on Wii, won’t do much to improve your swing. But that doesn’t mean it won’t help beginners learn the ins and outs of the game.

“For newer golfers, conceptually it’s great,” Mahon says. “One of the things that’s difficult when you’re starting somebody in golf is there are so many aspects to it. The golf course has so much they have to deal with. Any kind of foundation they can have before they come — understanding what a par is, that there are three different kinds of holes out there — is helpful.”

Even the most seasoned golfer can use some of these techniques to improve his game. However, home techniques serve only as ways to get more prepared to go out on the course and get better with more and more practice. Understanding the basics, plus a lot of practice, will put you ahead of the game in no time!