Winter Work

I love the winter because it’s a completely different world to practice and learn in.  Last year I headed south and enjoyed myself while growing immeasurably as a golfer in Georgia.  This year, however, I plan on sticking it out for as long as possible in Oregon.  There is so much here to learn from and be challenged by that I think it makes the most sense to spend the winter at home.

For those of you who don’t know the Pacific Northwest well, it’s an absolutely amazing place to be but the rains tend to dampen the spirits as they can last from November 1 to June 1.  That’s about 7 months where the sun comes up late and sets too early and a general grayness settles into the city and bones.  The average temperatures sits around 42-52 for the majority of the winter and the ground is damp to the point where the ball plugs on just about every shot.  There is rarely snow, though, so the courses are open 365 days a year and with the right rain gear you are good to go any day.

With the conditions as they are the tracks play completely different and this is where the learning comes into play.  The winds pick up and a solid 300 yard summer drive changes to a 250 yard plugged ball, so a hole that plays driver/pitching wedge in July is driver/6-iron in December.  And that’s if you aren’t playing into the wind Even today on my home course I had some second shots that were much further than anything I was used to playing and when I would club up for the approach the cold golf ball would still fall down short.  I felt like I couldn’t find my distances because the wind was swirling and the cold was changing my club lengths and I realized that this was an excellent opportunity to learn.  You have to really pay attention to all of the elements and external factors when rain, wind and cold are each influencing your ball.  It heightens your awareness and understanding of ball flight.

So, I’ve just decided that I’m going to stick it out here and learn what I can learn while playing in the rains.  If the chance should arise, however, I would jump on the opportunity to go on a few short trips to other climates in hopes of exploring new golfing experiences.  I’ll never turn down a trip south for a week or so..