What you should do if your golf course is closed

Many parts of the UK have experienced one of the wettest winters in many, many years, and the golf courses are certainly taking the brunt of it. Golf courses up and down the country have been closed for weeks on end, with many people still struggling to get their first round of the year in. 

Just because the courses are closed, however, does not mean that all hope is lost. There are many different options out there for you to satisfy your golfing itch. Here are some of the best options for you if you can’t get on the course right now.  

Hit The Driving Range 

The obvious, plain and simple, hit the range and put in some work. If you are determined to improve your game in 2026, but you already feel stalled from the lack of on course action, get an action plan and head to the range. Work on what you need to improve, iron striking, wedge accuracy or fixing the dreaded driver slice, get a large basket and iron out your game so you're ready for when the courses reopen. 

Many driving ranges these days come with ball tracer technology, use this to your advantage. If you are truly that desperate to play 18 holes, then go ahead and play a round at Augusta - virtually of course, they all count! 

Get a Lesson 

If you aren't a member at a course and green fees are well structured into your monthly finances, use the money you would have spent on a round, and get yourself a lesson. No golfer in the world is perfect, and there is always something to work on, so do yourself a favour and get a lesson to really iron out the creases in your game.  

At Home Exercises 

A quick YouTube search will give you enough material to spend entire weeks doing golf exercises and drills in your living room - albeit at the expense of a few rogue looks from the people in your household!  

Whether it's grip and swing drills, putting challenges on the carpet or even yoga and stretching to improve your flexibility and delay the inevitable back pain we all have coming at some point, it will all help your game when you can't spend time on the course. 

Clean & Maintain Your Clubs 

This is a true classic of the day off right here, get the clubs out and give them a much-needed bath. Get a proper club cleaner and grip cleaner to improve the longevity of your equipment before you can get back onto the fairways. Nothing feels nicer than pulling up to your golf course with your irons looking fresh out the wrapper.  

Whilst you're at it, have a look at what you have and don't have. Do you have enough tees? Do you need more balls? Do you have enough emergency stock in the deepest pockets of your bag? And clean out those deep pockets as well, you'll find all sorts down there, and most often, it isn't treasure you're finding! 

Try Out Indoor Golf 

Maybe you've been watching TGL recently and it made you consider the idea of playing on an indoor golf studio. These seem to be one of the biggest golf crazes around right now, with new ones opening across the country every week. You can play in the comforting warmth, whilst the rain lashes down outside. You can work on every aspect of your game, or you can just enjoy a round on one of the hundreds of iconic courses available. This is a superb second choice to getting on the course! 

Relax & Reset 

Your Saturday plans of golf have been thwarted, and no driving range session or virtual round will scratch your itch? Put your household chores aside, put your feet up and watch some golf content. Golf YouTube is thriving right now and there is certainly a different channel for just about everyone, no matter what you're looking for. As the evening winds on, switch over and watch some of the pros go to work on the PGA or DP World Tour.  

You can even read a golf book or listen to a golf podcast. No matter what your stance on growing the game of golf is, the growth means there are now so many ways you can enjoy golf content.  

Have a relaxing day, your body will certainly thank you for it when the courses finally reopen! 

Plan Your Next Golfing Getaway 

I truly believe every golfer does this, I have never been on a golf trip, and I am quite some distance off being able to fund a golf trip as well, and I still catch myself doing this! 

Have a browse of some of the finest courses you could jet yourself off to in the summer, or even in three weeks’ time if your golf itch is that intense. Maybe you'll finally play a Ryder Cup course, or maybe you finally get to play some of the most iconic courses in the world over the Atlantic in the USA, whatever it is you want, now is a great time to start planning where you and your golf clubs are going next! 

Touch Up on Your Rule's Knowledge 

I've recently found myself spending my down time sat on the R&A app doing rule quizzes and knowledge testers - I promise this is more entertaining than it sounds!  

Maybe I am just a golf nerd at heart, but you can never be too knowledgeable of the game you love. This will come in especially useful the next time your friend tries pulling the wool on you out on the course.  

The dreaded morning notification of the course being closed is one we all fear greatly, and it's all too common now. But with the right preparation and approach, we can turn disappointment into something at least productive and satisfying - although it must be said, I am desperate for some dry weather!