UNITED STATES – JANUARY 14: Early morning scenic of the 17th hole along the beach during the third round of the Sony Open, January 14, 2006, held at Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Stan Badz/PGA)
US PGA TOUR
It’s that time of year when for golfers in the northern half of the country, outdoor golf begins to fade into the rearview mirror. The days get shorter, temperatures drop, and professional golf tours retreat south in search of sunshine and warmer weather. That can mean only one thing: winter is coming.
For many of us, we are left dreaming of warmer temperatures. TV’s show professional golfers enjoying warm weather, lush green fairways with bright white bunkers while palm trees sway in the background. Envy begins to creep in as thoughts of how to survive another winter start swirling.
However, winter doesn’t have to mean packing your clubs away until spring. Whether you’re working to maintain your handicap, searching for ways to practice indoors, or planning a warm-weather golf trip, there are a number of ways to stay engaged with the game throughout the winter off-season.
As cold envelops much of the northern US, outdoor golf becomes harder to play consistently. Shorter days, frozen turf, and snow all contribute to fewer playable rounds. While some dedicated few will still brave the elements, the seasonal shift affects more than just comfort. It also affects the official handicap.
Handicap Seasons
The United States Golf Association (USGA) maintains a detailed handicap season schedule for each state. For many southern US states, the handicap season remains active year-round thanks to consistently playable conditions. However, for many northern US states, the active handicap season runs from March 1 or April 1 to the end of October or middle of November. For those lucky enough to get in rounds posted outside of the active season, those rounds are not counted towards a golfer’s handicap.
However, for many the weather prevents us from playing outdoor golf during the inactive handicap season. The weather leaves many golfers searching for ways to maintain their game, stay sharp, or even work on improving their swing in preparation for spring. That search typically leads to two solutions: golf simulators and golf trips.
The Rise of Golf Simulators
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 27: NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney plays on a golf simulator at Barstool Sports Chicago on February 27, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Golf simulators have revolutionized winter golf, providing an indoor alternative that’s accurate, convenient, and increasingly accessible. Golf simulators capture swing data using cameras and other sensors, and a video screen simulates the result of the shot based on the swing data. Golf simulators can be great tools for players who are working on swing changes during the winter season. The video and analytical feedback can help diagnose certain tendencies to really dial in one’s game.
According to a report by the National Golf Federation, the total number of simulator and screen golf users rose from 3.8 million users in 2015 to 8.1 million in 2024. This growth has fueled a wave of businesses offering year-round, climate-controlled practice spaces where players can hit balls, order food and drinks, and socialize, all within the comfort of a heated and warm space.
In addition to providing swing data, golf simulators provide the ability to tee it up on world-class courses without the high price tags that typically go with those tee times. Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, or Pine Valley are all just a few clicks of a mouse away. However, for those with the means, golf simulators also provide the ability to preview a course before a golf trip to that course.
Winter Golf Trips
If you’d prefer real sunshine over simulated fairways, winter is the perfect time to take a warm-weather golf trip. Whether you’re escaping for a long weekend or a full-week getaway, plenty of US destinations offer ideal weather, quality courses, and a healthy dose of sunshine during winter months.
Popular Warm-Weather Golf Destinations
- Arizona: Phoenix, Scottsdale
- Florida: Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Jacksonville
- California: San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco
- North Carolina: Raleigh, Charlotte, Pinehurst
- South Carolina: Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach
These destinations offer a wide range of price points, course styles, and off-course entertainment options.
Budget-Friendly Winter Golf Trips
- Louisiana: New Orleans
- Mississippi: Biloxi
- Alabama: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
These areas provide excellent golf, friendly pricing, and weather warm enough for enjoyable winter rounds.
Home Golf Practice Tools
Even for those without access to a simulator or travel south, there are plenty of ways to keep your game sharp. Home practice tools like indoor chipping mats, chipping nets, swing trainers, impact bags, and speed-training systems can help provide improvement to your game.
Winter Golf Fitness
Winter can also be a great time to build strength, flexibility, and mobility. An exercise program with a focus on core stability, hip rotation, shoulder mobility, and balance work can help the body move more freely and enable a better golf swing.
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Winter
Winter doesn’t mean having to put your golf game on hold. Whether you choose to practice in a simulator, take a golf trip, or work on your fitness and fundamentals at home, the offseason offers countless opportunities to improve your golf game. With the right mindset, winter becomes less of a break from golf, and more of a chance to prepare for your best season yet.