The NL Golfer's Winter Blues

We're deep into winter here in Newfoundland and, although it has been a relatively mild season, with what seems to be less snow than usual, our golf season never seems to get any longer. With 2024 being the shortest golf season in recent memory, we NL golfers risk optimism for an early start this year.

Yet, few understand the trials we face, which are only eased by the majestic experience that NL golf brings when summer arrives. While the formal Canadian golf season begins May 1st, some provinces are in full swing in April. Our goal for an "early" season, usually targets the May 24 weekend for our premiere courses to open. 2024 had different plans, delaying our season well into late June and playing conditions were still impacted until mid-July. Hence, our positive hopes that this mild winter will favour our anticipation to swing a club on real grass sooner rather than later.

So, what do we do for the bulk of the year that is not friendly to outdoor golf? Many will pack their clubs away in hopes they'll find their swing again sometime during the golf season. Others turn to sports like hockey, or travel to warm climates to get their golf fix. Some, like me, embrace the indoor golf experience which is continually growing in popularity and availability with more simulators entering the homes of average golfers. In my opinion, with golf being such an uplifting aspect of my life, indoor golf is the perfect medication to get through our winters here in NL.

As for advice for golfers experiencing those NL winter blues, pull out your clubs and keep aspects of your game fresh. Visit an indoor golf venue and play a round... your soul will thank you! If you don't have a space to swing full, work on short chip or pitch shots with a foam golf ball somewhere in your house. Practice your putting on a carpet or consider getting a good putting mat. Create small targets and play little games as you dial in your chips and putts. Bring the fun of golf back into your life and don't let Winter's icy claws hold you back from "that feeling" we get from a well struck ball. Keep swinging and, before we know it, we'll be teeing it up on real grass and erase winter from our minds... even if only for a few months.