Why Indoor Golf is the Secret to a Better Swing In Spring

By PGA Class A Professional, Lindsay Knowlton, Founder of Iron Lady Golf

When the days shorten, the frost hits the fairways and most golfers think it’s time to hang up the clubs until spring. But here’s the secret we live by at Iron Lady Golf: winter isn’t a break, it’s your prep season. The women who keep swinging through the winter are the ones who start April ahead of the field.

Indoor golf, especially in a simulator environment, isn’t just a “nice to have,” it’s one of the smartest strategic moves you can make for next season. Let’s explore what it does for your game and how you can make it count.

1. Maintain Rhythm & Feel

Golf is ultimately rhythm, feel and muscle memory. If you leave your clubs alone for months, you’ll likely feel rusty when you return. Keep swinging through the winter, even indoors, and you retain that connection.

Tip:

• Commit to one dedicated “golf hour” per week for swing‐feel and body tempo.

• Focus on half-swings and light tempo drills at first, then build up gradually for smoother returns in spring.

• Use a mirror to see your body movements, watch to ensure you’re keeping an “L to L” swing motion as a starting point. 

2. Use the Technology-Driven Edge of Simulators

One of the biggest advantages of indoor golf: you get high-quality, immediate feedback. Simulators track club path, face angle, launch, spin, carry, distance, details that can be hard to capture on the course. They allow you to measure what you’re doing and make real, informed adjustments.

Real statistics to motivate you:

• In one facility, indoor-golf practice memberships led to a 28% improvement in handicap among members. D'Lance Golf

• Research shows indoor golf is a “clear winner for data-driven improvement” compared to outdoor driving ranges, especially in the off-season. Project Golf+2Swing Golf Lounge+2

• Another piece of advice: A 20-minute focused practice session is better than an hour of aimless swings. hackmotion.com

Tip:

• Pick 2 key metrics to work on during your indoor sessions (for example: carry distance with 7-iron, or hitting 5 straight shots in a row with the ball tracer).

• After each session, note one thing you’ll tweak next time. Build momentum.

• Ask your coach or even a friend (or capture a short video) to review your data.  That insight is what turns swings into improvement.

3. Short Game & Putting

You don’t need full fairways to make meaningful gains. Indoor practice is an excellent time to sharpen your putting stroke, wedge distances and feel around the greens.

Tip:

• Spend 10-15 minutes each session exclusively on putting: roll from distances of 3-6 feet, focus on start line & tempo. You can use a carpet or even a yoga mat. Start by placing a mug at the end as your target and then gradually get smaller to even a tee sitting upside down as a small focused target!

• Use a “towel target” or indoor net for chipping drills: pick 5-10 yard increments and work the feel of each.

• Use one hand on the putter for short drills (helps hand-eye coordination and touch).

4. Stay Fit and Resilient 

Winter is the perfect time to build the body you’ll swing strong in spring. Mobility, flexibility, strength and core stability all contribute to distance, durability and fewer injuries.

Tip:

• Add resistance-band hip rotations, planks, shoulder mobility drills into your routine 2-3 times/week.

• Warm up before every indoor session and look to mirror your on-course pre-round routine (shoulders, hips, core).

5. Keep the Social Engine Running

At Iron Lady Golf, we know the golf community is as much about connection as it is about skill. Indoor leagues, sim rounds, friendly competition are what keep you engaged, accountable and excited all winter.

Tip:

• Join your winter league or clinic to refine and improve your skills!

• Pick a famous course on the simulator (like St. Andrews or Cabot Cape Breton) just for fun and variety. It keeps you motivated and excited to join one of our Iron Lady Retreats one day! 

6. Set Smart Winter Goals & Make Them Work for Spring

Use this time to get strategic. Instead of just “keeping the clubs moving,” you can use winter to set yourself up for a breakthrough spring.

Tip:

• Write down 2–3 process goals (e.g., “practice inside 60 minutes/week,” “reduce 7-iron dispersion by 10 yards,” “try to gain 5 yards of distance over the winter”)

• Reflect monthly: what’s improving, what needs more focus?

• Come spring, you’ll hit the first tee with: rhythm locked, body primed, short game sharp, community momentum strong and goals ready.

Bottom Line

Don’t let winter be a pause. Let it fuel your forward momentum - it’s the perfect time to learn for the first time or Improve your game. Come May, while others are shaking off rust, you’ll be getting on course with more confidence and having a lot more FUN!

Watch our Masterclass here for a few more of our indoor tips.