Did you get a new set of golf clubs for Christmas? Are you watching the Golf Channel looking outside at your snowy driveway and daydreaming of endless fairways and smooth greens? We understand for the golf fanatic living up North, Winter is a terrible time of the year. Of Course, here at Ocean Isle Beach, Winter is a great time to golf! However, even for us the real golf season is just around the corner and this week we have everything you need to get “golf ready!”

Get Your Gear Ready

The off-season is the perfect time to take a few minutes to get your gear in tip-top shape. After all, who wants to be messing with maintenance when you can be playing? Our equipment can’t make us a great golfer, but it can make you lose stokes on the course if it isn’t well maintained. Here are just a few of the things you should consider doing this Winter.

Re-groove clubs Clean your shoes and replace cleats as needed

Wash your golf balls Program GPS with latest updates

Clean golf clubs Download latest golf Apps

Check shafts for wear or damage Replace clubs as needed

Re-grip clubs Clean and organize golf bag

Time to Get in Shape

It’s cold out, the holidays happened, and we know that cardio isn’t everyone’s favorite pastime. We get it. In the Winter months it can be a challenge keeping up an exercise regime, but trust us… you’ll be glad you put in the work in the off season! With a little extra work now, you’ll find 36 holes on the weekend to be a breeze! Don’t forget to lift weights as well. You don’t have to be Arnold Schwarzenegger to get the benefits of weight lifting. Golfers will find they have more stamina, better control of their game, and drive the ball further when lifting weights.

Find the Perfect Course

For golfers, one of the best things about vacationing at Ocean Isle Beach is your proximity to tons of great golf courses! We have local courses that range from the novice level to the more challenging course. No matter what level your game is at, we have a course for you! There are fifteen courses all within a short drive of Ocean Isle Beach. If you love golf, you’ll love Ocean Isle Beach! But don’t just take our word for it… check out all the best local courses on Golf Advisor. You can golf a different course every day for a week and still have plenty to play when you come back next year!

Avoid Injuries

Nothing can take you out of the game faster than an injury. One of the best ways to prevent injury is not just by getting in shape, but by also having a good warm up routine. To ensure you get to play a nice long season of golf, it’s recommended to do a bit of warming up and stretching before practicing or playing. Loosen up your spine, get some blood pumping into the muscles, and release tension. How do you do that quickly and easily? By stretching of course. Another great thing to do is to use Yoga in your workouts. Yoga is a great way to stay flexible and ensure you get the most out of your game.

Practice at Home

Of course there are plenty of golf skills that you can’t work on at home, but putting isn’t one of them. Putting is one of the most important skills and is easy to practice at home. You can create a DIY practice drill with regular household items. Set up an area with similar-sized items, i.e. large books or couch pillows. Place the items on the floor one club face distance apart. Your putter should fit between the two items, and then place a golf ball in the middle. Now you’re ready to begin, practice putting the ball between the two items; if your putter touches or hits one of the objects, than it’s an indication that your swing isn’t straight.