The Self Isolation Guide For Golfers

Please stay at home when you can, and carefully follow social distancing guidelines. That is the impassioned message from healthcare professionals who are tirelessly combating the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Changing our behaviour for this period is a simple objective, a minor inconvenience, but one that will literally save lives. But to make that process as straightforward as possible, you need to stay active and engaged, mentally and physically.

Golf courses introduced measures to reduce contact points and help us continue to play the game safely, providing respite for those of us desperately searching for distraction. However, the reality is that the vast majority of us should and are going to be spending considerably more time behind closed doors for weeks and months ahead.

That can present a unique challenge to keen golfers. You could easily become consumed by DIY tasks or facing the overwhelming task of entertaining bored children, but even in self-isolation, golf can still be part of your life. You need it. And we are here to help you maintain that relationship.

The Golfshake Self-Isolation Guide for Golfers

Get Golf Fit

If you aren't playing golf, then you are losing an invaluable opportunity for exercise, something made more difficult by the closure of public gyms. However, to help you stay active and work on your game, Golfshake has just partnered with Jon Ship of Golf Fit to provide a new, weekly tuition series to improve your fitness and become #FitterStrongerFaster. 

Even the Golfshake Ambassadors have started their journey. Why not join them, sign up for Jon's series, watch the videos, follow the instructions, and ensure that you are making time spent at home wisely by getting fitter. And it will help your golf too!

Indoor Practice & Training Aids

During the depths of winter, when you can't see outside for rain, every golfer has spent time putting on their carpet. Well, now is the moment to take that principle to the next level. Set yourself challenges and targets. Master that subtle left-to-right break in your hallway. But also deploy training aids, including those by FatPlate, for which we have a dedicated tuition series to help you keep your short game in check. Also watch our PuttPlate series for your putting.

Swing Nets

For those of you with the space and means, a net is a great way to continue hitting the ball, keeping your swing in motion for when regular golf returns. You could even use it to work on several of the techniques learned from tuition videos. Just make sure that you have a large enough garden and stay clear of windows.

Watch Tuition Content

It's one thing spending time practicing, but you need to be doing it right. Fortunately, there is a vast library of golf tuition content available online, not least the Golfshake Tips Section. Here, you will see hundreds of videos from tour and PGA professionals, covering each aspect of the game, helping you stay engaged.

Maintain Clubs & Equipment

Many golfers make a ritual of this before every season, so why not spend time maintaining your clubs and golf gear, going through the pockets of your bag, arranging balls and tees, getting organised for when you can next play. Fortunately, if you need any advice, we have a specific video from former European Open champion, Andrew Murray explaining how to check your equipment.

Social Media Engagement

One hardship about self-isolating is the required distancing between yourself and your friends and family, including losing the sociable side of golf. Social media will now become even more vital, keeping you connected to others, but if this virtual realm is not something you have explored much in the past, sites like Twitter and Instagram are a great way to meet others who have a shared interest, with many golfers - including some of the most famous - actively showing what they are doing in isolation.

Count Golf Courses You Have Played

If you can't play new courses, then you may as well spend the time counting the ones that you have visited, charting your own journey in golf. This is something made easier and interactive by the new Golfshake BETA website, Where I Play Golf, where you can capture all the layouts you have ticked off, and see how you compare to other golfers on leaderboards.

Watch Golf Videos Online

Sky Sports Golf has been broadcasting a succession of old content, including documentaries and full rounds from major championships, but if you don't subscribe, or fancy something different, then why not head to YouTube. Watch some of the classics, memorable shots, amusing moments, or even settle down for a final day of The Masters or catch an entire Shell's Wonderful World of Golf match. It's an alternative to Netflix and Disney+ if need a break from regular TV.

Video Games

If you require your golf fix but can't get outside, then video games can be a pathway to another world. For those with consoles, why not source one of the old Tiger Woods games, which were iconic on the market for years, or even dust off that old Wii and play the original golf game. It's a great way to keep the kids occupied too. However, if you're new to the realm of gaming, why not head online, where you can play the likes of World Golf Tour for free, including venues such as St Andrews, Kiawah Island and Oakmont. Virtual golf is better than no golf!

Plan Where You're Playing in Future

It may not seem like it at the moment, and there are many difficult weeks ahead, but one day, this will be over, and life will come back to something resembling normality, including within the golf industry. We'll all appreciate the game more than ever before. So, why not plan ahead and think about where you would like to play, which courses have you not experienced, is there a stay and play venue you're keen on, a holiday destination? Dream about what you're going to do when we're through this pandemic. That will be a magical day for everyone.

How are you staying engaged with golf during self-isolation? Let us know!