Winter

Head south or stick it out in Portland?

I don’t really know the answer to this one. I can see some + and – on each end and have been weighing them for some time now.

For the “sticking it out in Portland” case: I get to practice and workout at home where my entire routine has already been mapped out so I can maximize my time in that I do not need to travel or find a new place to live/practice/play. I will stay close to my support system and can meet with my new coach frequently. On the other hand: It can be downright nasty out from now until June. I went out today to practice and play nine with a college golfer who is back in town, but it was raining so hard that the course was unplayable. Here’s a photo of me with the ninth green in the background. This green looks bad, but was actually one of the driest out there. After about 4 inches of rain, there is standing water all over the place and even though that can be an added challenge to fairway shots, it is very unrealistic to putt through a stream:

That said, I have no problem working around the rain and am prepared to practice through the winter here. But, would that maximize my time and be the best for the project? That is the question..

The winter can be a time for working on mechanics and building strength, too; and the rainy season is perfect for keeping me off the course and in the gym or indoor swing rooms. And, with the TrackMan I can find an indoor space to set it up and practice my swing whenever the rains may hit (which is a lot for everyone out there who hasn’t lived in the Pacific Northwest.), so there are options for staying here and working. Also, I have access to a gym and everything I need to workout at home, so bulking up will be part of my winter routine wherever I go and will be easy to do here.

On the other hand, heading somewhere dry and warm could add to the amount of time I can practice/play outside through the winter months. If I went to Palm Springs, Carlsbad or Phoenix I would be able to carry on just like in the Portland summer months with the ability to work at the course all day every day. But, that means that I need to find a place to live, practice and workout. This is doable (anything and everything is doable), I just need to make up my mind on what is best.

Pros and cons on both sides. There’s really not a right answer, but on days where I just want to be out there practicing but the courses close due to inclement weather it’s easy to sit here and ponder upon whether Portland is the best choice for the coming months.

This is a scene from yesterday:

40mph winds do wonders for umbrellas.

What does everyone out there think? Should I stick it out here or head for the hills?

23 Responses to "Winter"

Nick says:

November 20, 2012 at 8:36 am

If you can swing it, head somewhere else. Maybe there are some more small tournaments to enter to get some more experience.
Cameron says:

November 20, 2012 at 8:46 am

You should go!
This whole project is about pushing yourself beyond your current limitations. Staying in Portland is efficient, but putting yourself in a new environment, adapting to new routines, and forcing yourself to adapt is what will make the most of your 10,000 hours.

I think you already know the answer to this question. If the only reason you are thinking of staying is because of convenience, comfort, and familiarity… then you need to go.
Richard says:

November 20, 2012 at 9:06 am

I think it would be best to head for warmer weather. It sucks that you’d be away from your support group, but technology can help fill the void – especially now that you have a TrackMan. Time on the course will be more beneficial for you because you can work on the numbers using TrackMan and see the results on the course.
Frank Flickersome says:

November 20, 2012 at 9:12 am

If you head south you will experience different course conditions, bermuda vs bent grass and meet different people with different prospective on the game. Pack up and head out!
Steve says:

November 20, 2012 at 9:19 am

I know that the more unpopular choice amongst the commenters would be to stay at home, but to be perfectly honest i would stick it out in Portland. The upheval that comes with a move and settling into a new groove is pretty substantial. Add to this leaving your entire support system at home could be catastrophic! All of a sudden the project becomes something that is taking you away from the closest things/people in your life and you could start to resent it for that reason.

What are we looking at here? 3 months? 6 months? Of terrible weather. Take it from me, i live in Ireland and manage to play all year round with a myriad of conditions. Adapting to play in the S%*t is surely part of the plan too is it not?

Anyhoo – My two cents.
KzooMatt says:

November 20, 2012 at 9:29 am

I like the idea of playing at different courses in different conditions. But even more important (in my mind any way) is that you’ll be able to accumulate a lot more hours of practice time in better conditions. Yes, you can work out in the rain. But that doesn’t count toward the 10,000 hours does it? Only time on the course / range will get you there. And relying too much on the TrackMan at an indoor facility, without being able to see complete ball flight, seems like it could set you up for some trouble later. If you really want to optimize your time, which has always been a key value of this project, you need to be somewhere that you can play outside. There’s a reason Steve Stricker is the only PGA pro (that I know of) that lives in the northern part of the country year round.
David says:

November 20, 2012 at 10:10 am

I’d head out to the south.
Pro golf is rarely played in terrible conditions. (well, in the US I mean)
And as part of the DanPlan you should learn to pack and find your feet as fast as possible in a new environment.
I’d even say that it’s one of your biggest challenge : adapt to a weekly changing environment.
David says:

November 20, 2012 at 10:13 am

Why don’t you try to find some sort of arrangement with a College or an University down South.

Free dorm ; access to the Gym ; access to the course… this kind of things.

As your project is very interesting from a pure scientific point of view, I guess you could find some help form Universities or College.
Jeff says:

November 20, 2012 at 10:58 am

Definitely go south, Dan. I believe there is simply more to be gained from being out on a golf course and, considering you are still building your swing and your game, it makes sense to me to have nice conditions and not add the element of inclement weather to your golf training regimen at this point in your development.

If you choose Phoenix look me up! I’d love to go 18 with you for a first hand look at The Dan Plan!
Alan says:

November 20, 2012 at 12:41 pm

Head south dude!!
Dion says:

November 20, 2012 at 2:47 pm

Head south – the more experience you get the better anyway. New people, different perspectives, new courses – different conditions. Think yourself lucky you live in a country where you have differing climates – if you lived in a country which was just cold everywhere in winter you would not have the opportunity to do this. Take advantage of this ! Best of luck regardless
DavidG says:

November 20, 2012 at 2:53 pm

Dan,

I’ve been following your blog for a while now and rooting you on. I live in the Portlnd area and I would have to say head south for the winter. I think the more time you get outside actually golfing the better and then you can still do your workouts in the evening when the sun goes down. I would head to Palm Springs if you can. If you can’t arrange for free green fees somwhere, The Golf Club at Terra Lago has 36 holes and I think they have deals for the winter where you pay a one time fee and golf all you want.
melissa + kenny says:

November 20, 2012 at 2:57 pm

Life isn’t work and life isn’t all DanPlan. Gotta have a balance. I say you should stay.

With that said, let’s get together soon. Maybe we can watch the BCS championship?
Joe Ossenmacher-Bedford says:

November 20, 2012 at 3:36 pm

Yet another vote for heading south. My question (which I think I know the answer to) would be this: what do the PGA pros that you are striving to emulate do?
Padraig says:

November 20, 2012 at 5:46 pm

Dan,
Hit the road.
It would only add to the sense of adventure that your story has become. Only drawback is that you recently changed coach and would have to look for another in the new location.
Adam says:

November 20, 2012 at 8:33 pm

Dan:

Go South. You have to be efficient. I don’t think there is any question you will sacrifice at least some progress if you stay in Portland all winter. From a golf perspective, the answer is easy. Financial and relationship ramifications are other factors to be weighed. If you go South, I expect you to be pushing a 0.0 Handicap this time next year.

Whatever you decide, Best of Luck!
Nick Chertock says:

November 20, 2012 at 10:12 pm

Get out of Dodge!
philip f says:

November 21, 2012 at 4:18 am

hey dan . to be honest dan the only thing that should come into consideration in this is the FINANCES if you can AFFORD to go somewhere else pay rent and all that stuff its a must we are men we can adapt quckly to new surrondings and areas quickly and if u cant well your not a real man . different areas have different everythings ,eg the grass the altitude the way the ball travels in the air the way the ball reacts on the green greens , i recently went to Ireland from australia and was shocked at how differnet it is . more new experiences and new knowledge u gain the better you will be in the long run.plus u may feel STAGNANT and lose FOCUS after been in one area for so long go away for 3 months then come back , use your new found semi celeb arty status to your advantage and try tee up cheap or free rounds the dan plan is an adventure treat it as such embrace all new things.
and a side note this is just my opinion as a hard core internet user i would love to see MORE VIDEOS one a week on the same day NO MATTER WHAT.VIDEOS are the most watched reviewed and copied on the net EVEN IF NOTHING EXCITITNG HAPPENS THAT WEEK DO A 5 MINUTE VIDEO ABOUT IT . it will engage a ton of new fans (who dont like to read but like to watch ) and keep your long time fans myself included. something to look forward to each week.
good luck with it all dan much love PHIL
Jason Thatcher says:

November 21, 2012 at 8:07 am

If I were in your position and had the financial means to do so, heading south for a few months would be a no brainer. Besides the obvious golf advantages, you’ll have the opportunity to network with people you otherwise would have never met. Your project is hard enough with perfect weather conditions and looking at months of dark, cold, rainy days is downright depressing! Fortunate for you, the weather is something you can control. Take that unneeded stress out of the equation man.

I’d be willing to bet when this project is finished, you’ll look back and relocating for a few months will be one of the best decisions you made. Worst case is you move to Palm Springs and it completely sucks (not possible) but… Worst case you head back to Portland.

That said, moving your life is a tough decision. I believe you’re going to reach your goal regardless of location during the winter months. I personally would prefer reading “It’s sunny again!” vs. “Another 16 inches of rain again!”

Good luck Dan!
Marcus Valdes says:

November 21, 2012 at 11:14 am

I think at the end of the day only you truly know the answer to this…..
Tim says:

November 21, 2012 at 9:17 pm

If you can afford it and your family agrees, I would definitely head down south this winter. That way you can totally focus on improving your game without the constant distraction of watching the weather, hoping to sneak in a round once in awhile.
Jeremy White says:

November 22, 2012 at 5:01 am

The truth is that your goals should dictate your direction. You have 6400 hours left. What is your 6000 hour goal? If you can achieve that in Portland then I would stay. One of your biggest challenges will be staying balanced when you don’t have a mechanism to walk away from golf. Without family and friends it may consume you and burn you out a bit.

On the flip side, if you can achieve your goal and maintain balance in the south then you should go there. You will also have the opportunity to play on diffrent types of grass, course set-ups, etc.

Final note: If it were me, I’d go. My true friends and family would understand and support that decision. The pro’s far out-weigh the cons when considering my goals(thinking short term–90 days only).

GOOD LUCK IN MAKING YOUR DECISION! Happy Thanksgiving…
Elias says:

November 22, 2012 at 9:32 am

I’m not going to give you an advice regarding what to do. This is something you have to figure out for yourself. You say that there are pros and cons with both alternatives, but you have to decide what will improve your game the most.

There are lots of ways to become a better player, but some are more efficient than others. What do you feel will help your game the most? And what fits best with your approch to the plan?

Ps. Miss those awesome videos of yours!

/Elias

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