When is Golf Season

Who hates the golf off season? I know I do.

Some lucky states across the US, like Florida, Arizona and Texas as well as some countries abroad have all year round golf seasons.

To find out when golf season starts and ends across the US and other countries as well as how to continue to keep your golf game on track in the off season, keep reading!

Golf Season in the United States

Golf season across the US varies and it depends on where you live.

If you live in Florida, Arizona, Hawaii or California you have golf season where you can play all year round. In the southern states due to the weather you can get a round in all year round. There may be some days or weeks due to bad weather it isn’t possible but you can play in all weather seasons.

If you live in states like Minnesota, Maine or Wisconsin you will be packing up the clubs through winter and early spring months. In the northern states golf season runs from March/April to October/November.

Golf Season in Canada

If you are looking to travel to Canada for a round you may be thinking what is the best time to go. Like the US the Canadian golf season depends on where you live.

Due to the colder climates and longer winters, Canada’s golf season is generally shorter than the US. Golf season starts in April or May and ends in October or November. But, British Columbia particularly in the south like Vancouver has a longer golf season.

If you are going to play golf in Canada below are some of the golf courses in each province:

• British Columbia: Fairmont Banff Springs, Predator Ridge Resort, Whistler Golf Club
• Alberta: Glen Abbey Golf Club, Jasper Park Lodge, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club
• Saskatchewan: Dakota Dunes Golf Links, Moon Lake Golf & Country Club & The Willows Golf & Country Club
• Manitoba: Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, Glendale Golf & Country Club, Pine Ridge Golf Club
• Ontario: Angus Glen Golf Club, Beacon Hall Golf Club, St. George’s Golf and Country Club
• Quebec: Club de Golf Royal Montreal, Le Diable, Le Geant
• Newfoundland: Clovelly Golf Club, Humber Valley Resort, Terra Nova Resort & Golf Community

Golf Season in Europe

Like the US the European golf season depends on where you live and if you can get out and have a round.

Spain, Portugal, and Italy

If you are heading to Spain, Portugal, or Italy you can get a game in all year round.

Some famous golf courses to check out:

• Spain: Valderrama, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, and PGA Catalunya Resort.
• Portugal: Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Quinta do Lago & San Lorenzo
• Italy: Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (home to the 2023 Ryder Cup), Argentario Golf Resort & Spa, Verdura Resort & Acaya Golf Resort.

Sweden, Norway, and Finland

You have to plan well to get a round in, in the Scandinavian countries. Unfortunately due to the climate golf season is quite short and runs from May to September.

Some famous golf courses to check out:

• Sweden: Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, Barsebäck Golf & Country Club & PGA Sweden National
• Norway: you can play at Miklagard Golf, Losby Golf Club & Holtsmark Golf Club
• Finland: Kytäjä Golf, Linna Golf & Lakeside Golf & Country Club.

United Kingdom

If you are wanting to get a round at the home of golf it has a similar golf season to the US, from March to October. But, in saying that I was recently in the UK throughout December and the weather was good enough to have a hit. But to be sure you are getting the best of the conditions be there between March and October.

Some famous golf courses to check out:

• England: Sunningdale (Old), Royal St George’s & Royal Birkdale
• Ireland: Royal Country Down, Royal Portrush & Ballybunion
• Scotland: St Andrews Old Course, Royal Dornoch – Championship Course and Muirfield

Golf Season in Australia

Now I know why they call Australia the ‘lucky country’ because they can play golf all year round. Like all the other countries, depending on where you live will dictate where you can play golf.

In Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland you are pretty safe to play all year round. There may be a few days or a week where you can not get out on the course but that will be it. The other states in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania where more of the iconic Australian golf courses are. You will have to plan a bit better if you are in Australia in their winter months.

With Australia being in the southern hemisphere when it is winter in the US, it may be a great opportunity to head down to Australia for golf holiday.

Some famous golf courses to check out:

• Australia: Cape Wickham Links, Barnbougle Dunes, Barnbougle Lost Farm, St Andrews Beach, Ocean Dunes & Thirteenth Beach GL – Beach Course

Golf Season in Asia

Golfing in Asia is variable depending on where you are wanting to go.

Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have golf year round. But, the best months to play are between March to August. The climate in these countries through golf season are hot and humid.

In the northern Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and China the season is between April and October.

Some famous golf courses to check out:

• Thailand: Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort, Siam Country Club & Black Mountain Golf Club
• Malaysia: Saujana Golf and Country Club, The Els Club Desaru Coast & TPC Kuala Lumpur
• Singapore: Sentosa Golf Club, Laguna National Golf and Country Club & Tanah Merah Country Club.
• Japan: Hirono Golf Club, Kasumigaseki Country Club & Naruo Golf Club.
• South Korea: Sky 72 Golf Club, Nine Bridges Golf Club & Pine Beach Golf Links
• China: Mission Hills Golf Club, Sheshan International Golf Club & Spring City Golf and Lake Resort.

Golf Season in South Africa

Like Australia, South Africa is a golfer’s paradise, where you can play golf all year round. Best months to play are between September to May.

How to Improve Your Game in the Off Season

If you are out of luck and have an off season, keep reading to find out how to keep your game on track and ready when you return to the course.

Putting Indoors

Putting is a critical part of the game and the easiest part of the game to practice in the off season. Putting indoors is a simple and effective way to work on your putting fundamentals.

Ways to practice your putting is by setting up a putting station at home. To do this you will need a:

• indoor putting mat
• some alignment aids such as eyeline putting rail and a putting mirror

If you do not want to buy the aids you can use things like:

• rulers for alignment to help you keep your stroke straight
• a mirror to check your alignment and posture.

Here are some drills and games you can do indoors to challenge yourself and have fun:

• Straight Putts: Position yourself at varying distances from the cup to help with distance control.
• Around the Clock: Place the cup in the center of the mat and practice putting to different positions around the cup.
• Gate Drill: Place two alignment aids on either side of the cup and practice putting through the gate.

Remember to practice and keep track of your progress.

Increase Strength & Flexibility

Increasing your strength & flexibility is a vital way to improve your power and endurance. By doing this, you will be able to hit the ball farther, prevent injuries, and improve your balance and stability.

Some key aspects to focus on are:

• Core strength: is essential for a controlled swing. Consider exercises like planks and medicine ball rotations [1]
• Leg strength: is crucial for stability and power. Consider exercises like squats and lunges
• Flexibility: is key to a fluid swing. Consider exercises like Yoga and Pilates [2]

Like anything you do, consistency is king. You need to get into a routine where you are exercising on a consistent basis.

Practice in a Simulator

Practicing in a simulator is a fun and realistic way to play and improve your golf game.

Simulators provide an environment that allows you to work on your swing, shot selection, and course management. They offer feedback on your swing and ball flight, which can help you make adjustments to your game.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your simulator practice:

• Dial in your distances with each club.
• Practice those shots inside of 100 yards often.
• Have fun and compete with your buddies.

Brush up on the rules and etiquette

Preparing for the golf season involves more than dusting off your clubs and hitting the driving range. One of the most important things you can do to get ready for the course is to brush up on golf rules and etiquette. This will make sure you are up to date on any rule changes to avoid any unnecessary penalties, disputes, and embarrassment on the course.

Improve Your Mental Game

Golf is a mental game as much as it is a physical one. Improving your mental game can help you perform better on the course. Here are some tips to help you improve your mental game:

1. Practice visualization

Take some time when you are practicing to start visualizing your shots. Get into the habit of doing this through the off season, so when you get back on the course you continue to do it.

2. Develop a pre-shot routine

If you do not have a pre-shot routine, develop one in the off season. It will focus your attention on the shot you are hitting and remove distractions. There is no one size fits all routine, do what works for you. You watch any pro golfer, they all have their routines. It is important to practice your pre-shot routine each time you are playing a shot, so it becomes second nature. [3]

Improve your game

If you want to improve your golf game,  here are some simple tips:

1. Improve your swing: Improving your golf swing can go a long way in increasing clubhead speed and accuracy in your shots. Find out more on how to master your golf swing.
2. Use the right equipment: The off season is a great time to check if the equipment you are using is still right for you. Go into your local pro shop to find out.
3. Get expert advice: As you are not hitting the course, it is an opportune time to go see a golf instructor. They can help you identify improvement areas to get you ready for the upcoming golf season.
4. Practice regularly: Continue to practice. It may not be out on the course but there are other ways to do this, be it at home or in a golfing simulator.

Final Thoughts

The end of the golf season varies depending where you live. But, no matter where you live you will be able to get a game between April and October. If  you live in states like Arizona, California, Hawaii or Florida you can play golf all year round.

But don’t let the end of the season stop you from improving your game. There are a range of ways to keep improving your game, through:

• swing improvements
• focusing on your mental game
• strength and flexibility
• practicing your putting fundamentals.

Frequently Asked Questions