8 Alternatives to Playing Golf This Winter

Whether we like it or not, golf course closures are inevitable during winter. Depending on the nature of the layout that you play, it can be caused by waterlogging due to heavy rainfall, snow turning the fairways into a Christmas card landscape, or the scourge of frost forcing greenkeepers to shut the doors in order to protect the surfaces.

Beyond that, sometimes you just might not fancy getting out there in cold temperatures chasing the diminishing hours of daylight. It goes without saying that golf in the winter isn't for everyone, but that doesn't mean you have to entirely divorce yourself from the game during the coming months.

We have been looking at alternatives for when the conditions - or your own mood - make going to the course unappealing or even impossible.

Should those scenarios arise, then here are some things that you could be doing instead!

Head to The Driving Range

Don't fancy playing a round of golf? The range can be your refuge, offering you the chance to keep active and work on your game throughout the winter, ensuring that you won't be rusty once the main season comes around again in springtime. Regular visits to the range will give you an edge over those golfers who pack their clubs away for months.

If you're uncertain about the benefits of winter range sessions, we have written about the positives here, while our previous feature article How to Make Your Time at The Driving Range More Interesting has some advice on how to make your time at the range even more engaging, while we also have some dedicated winter drills for you to work on.

Visit an Indoor Golf Venue

Sometimes, it can be too cold for the range, and inclement conditions can even shut them. If you want to get your golfing fix in the warmth, then why not head to your nearest indoor golf venue? The simulators at these places are superb, giving you the chance to play many outstanding and iconic courses, while the nature of these facilities makes them ideal for families and even groups of friends, with food and drink being regularly available too.

If you want to know more, we have shared some of the best locations in the UK to give you a flavour of what's out there!

Maintain Your Golf Equipment

It's always essential to keep your golf clubs and equipment in good shape, especially during winter, but if you can't play, why not spend time giving your gear a full audit, ensuring that your stuff remains in good condition for the peak season, which will help them to retain their performance levels for longer.

We have shared some advice on what are the dos and don'ts for maintaining your equipment throughout winter!

Try Some Golf Exercises

It's important to stay active during winter, especially if you want to perform at your best on the golf course. Flexibility is vital to play this game well, and that's why we have partnered with personal trainer and biomechanics coach, Jon Hodgkinson, to offer you a series of exercises to work on, starting with a range of tasks that will improve your mobility and stability, while reducing back pain in the process.

Take a few minutes each day during the winter to try these and you will see the benefits!

Plan a Golf Trip

Golfers are dreamers and winter might be the ideal opportunity to start planning your next golf break. Whether it be a trip for 2025 to look forward to or even a hastily arranged excursion to a warmer climate, then our travel partners Golfbreaks will have something for you!

Play a Golf Video Game

This won't be for everyone, but if you are so inclined, golf video games are a fun way to spend a few hours, playing famous courses and engaging with the sport in a digital fashion. EA Sports PGA Tour (see our review) is available on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S, and features the Masters, PGA Championship, the US Open and The Open as well as the race to the FedExCup, with venues such as Augusta National and St Andrews being available to play.

PGA Tour 2K23 is also on the market, while World Golf Tour is a free online game to keep you occupied.

Watch Golf Content on YouTube

Golf content has become huge on YouTube, with numerous channels drawing millions of views each year. Whether it be travel, instruction, course reviews or general shenanigans, there is something out there for all tastes, and it's a popular alternative to traditional golf coverage that you will see on TV. 

If you haven't yet dipped into the world of golf YouTube, now is the time!

Read a Golf Book

Once the curtains are drawn and the heating is on, there are few more comfortable ways to spend your evening than by delving into a good book, and there are always some fantastic golf offerings for you to get lost in. We have recently shared some of the most notable releases that have been published in 2024, covering a variety of topics, all of which should keep you mentally stimulated with some good reading this winter!

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