Tiger Woods PGA Tour for Wii: Improve Your Real Life Game

Photo from Flickr by Jon Aslund

While many of you including myself don't mind braving the elements of winter, most golfers pack the clubs up and resort to golf video games such as Tiger Woods PGA Tour, to keep their game fine tuned. When the Wii was introduced, it added a whole new dimension to golf video games as the swing motion started to resemble an actual golf swing. While this is considerably more realistic than a point and click golf game, many debate whether golfing on the Wii can actually improve your real life golf game.

Recently, in expert mode on Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2011, I was able to break 60 at St. Andrews. I accomplished this feat by not missing a fairway (despite the 20 MPH wind) and making every putt inside of 20 feet.  Realistic? I think not. Despite the actual game play being unrealistic, there are elements to your actual golf swing that Tiger Woods picks up very well. For instance if I am playing in the driving range mode and taking full swings as if I were on a real golf course, I tend to block my shots and leave the club face slightly open in almost the exact same way I do in real life. In addition, when I try to overcompensate for this, I duck hook it which is evident in the resulting draw on screen.

For all practical purposes, the game has helped me with two specific things, balance in squaring my shot and shot visualization. For balance, the driving range mode helps you with squaring your club face on impact. Also, if you are a pretty good golfer able to control your swing most of the time, I think the game is great for almost tricking your mind into thinking you are capable of playing golf the way you do in the game. In real life I know I am capable of all the shots I perform on Tiger Woods, however in real life, the execution rate just isn't as high. The game builds confidence in that regard.

The game also offers add on peripheral devices that offer even more realism such as the Chicken Stick (Chicken Stick - Wii Golf Club). The Chicken Stick is weighted like an 8 iron to resemble the weight of an actual club. This provides an excellent opportunity to translate some of your video golf game out to the actual course and work on your swing in the winter all from the confines of your living room.

Warm Golf Balls

Photo from Flickr - arbyreed

In the post, How to Choose the Perfect Golf Ball for Winter, I discussed how cold weather affects a golf ball and why you might consider choosing a lower compression ball for winter. I still stand behind the use of a lower compression ball for winter, however there is something I didn't discuss that deserves consideration. While it is true that cold weather will change how a golf ball reacts, you can take measures to keep your golf ball from getting cold in the first place. 

How many of you keep your clubs and golf balls in the trunk of a car? This is a bad idea for the winter golfer, especially when it comes to storing your golf balls, as this ensures a permanent freeze on your ball. Keep those golf balls tucked away in a nice, warm location the days leading up to a round and see the difference.

Also, take measures to ensure the core temperature remains warm throughout the round. Something as simple as a sleeve made of a thick material can keep your ball warm enough for the few short hours you are out on the course. Consider stuffing them in multiple layers of material inside your golf bag. Any easy solution might be to roll them up tightly in a golf towel and keep this secured in one of the pockets of your bag.

Finally, consider heating your golf balls right before a round of golf. Put them near or on a heater or furnace or even try soaking them in hot water. If money is no object you could even invest in a golf ball warmer, but still there are plenty of free ways that you can warm a golf ball with simple items found in your home.