Off-Season Training Tips
January 2026
As we settle into a new year, our goal at 9 Iron Golf remains the same: to help you enjoy the game more and play better golf. Whether that means hitting the ball more solidly, improving your consistency, or preparing for your best season yet, we’re here to help you build a game that fits your goals.
January is an ideal time for off-season golf training. With fewer rounds being played, winter provides a great opportunity to slow things down and focus on golf swing fundamentals that often get overlooked during the busy season.
Start with Movement and Warm-Ups
Proper golf warm-up exercises are essential during winter months. Resistance bands are a simple, effective tool to help loosen up and strengthen your body for golf. They’re versatile, easy to use, and ideal for both warm-ups and light strength work.
A few effective pre-golf or pre-practice movements include:
Wrist flexion and extension
Shoulder mobility exercises
Trunk and rotational movements
These are just a few examples. Golfers have different mobility needs, so it’s important to address any specific limitations with a trained professional. If you have questions about winter golf training, strength, flexibility, or mobility related to your swing, feel free to reach out.
Practice with Alignment and Purpose
Alignment sticks are one of the most useful tools in any golf practice routine, yet they’re often underused. Starting the year with a strong focus on golf alignment practice helps ensure your work on the range translates to the course.
Begin with small swings and chip shots, then progress to pitch shots. Pay attention to:
The length of your backswing
How far the ball flies and rolls
Where you intend the ball to start versus where it actually goes
Many golfers focus on distance and ball flight but overlook direction during practice. Direction matters just as much on the range as it does on the course, and intentional alignment work builds habits you can trust under pressure.
Control Distance with Swing Length
Consistent distance control in golf comes from managing the length of your backswing — not swinging harder or softer. The best players control distance through swing length and club selection.
A simple way to think about this is using a clock face:
Imagine your head at 12 o’clock and your feet at 6 o’clock
A swing back to 8 o’clock should be followed by a swing through to at least 4 o’clock
The follow-through can extend farther, but it should never be shorter
The key is acceleration through impact. Learning your “times” helps you understand your distances and make smarter decisions when approaching the green.
Progress to Full Swings
As you move into full swings, continue using alignment sticks to ensure your body and clubface are set correctly to your target line. Proper alignment gives you the best chance to hit your intended target.
Even small errors matter. For example, if a right-handed golfer’s clubface is just one degree open at impact, a shot that feels straight can finish roughly five yards right of the target.
I hope these winter golf training tips help you start the 2026 season prepared and confident. Play well, have fun, and keep it in the short grass!
