THE BEACH - Practicing your SAND game indoors

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By benjamin g

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  • 11 Replies
  1. benjamin g

    benjamin g

    Hey Team! First of all, thank you for all of your previous posts to my discussions. They are always helpful and very much appreciated.

    I live in the North East and I was just getting outside for my practice and even starting to get some soggy rounds in. I was hitting off of real grass, real fairway cuts, real rough (mostly / unfortunately,) and real sand. I realized while practicing my bunker play that I have not been able to properly train myself in respect to the sand game while I've been indoors. With this new storm we just had I've been itching to get back to the bunkers at the course and hit out of the sand but I can't.

    Over the course of the winter I've purchased several types of carpets for simulated fairway lies, rough lies, even green speed (measured in-store with a Stimp Meter.) Yes, they thought I was totally crazy when I started rolling golf balls down my home made meter, but in the end, I got the carpet that was right for me and that's what counts.

    My question: What do you do to practice your sand game at home and indoors?

    Thank you all for your posts and advice. I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge that this forum provides. I look forward to reading your responses!

  2. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    I just could not imagine being stuck in the house most of the winter, not being able to get out and play golf, and having to create ways to practice. I would go stare crazy. I guess that I am lucky living in the south and here I am complaining about the week of cold weather we are having. I admire your ability to be creative to keep your game sharp.
  3. Joshua B

    Joshua B
    Connecticut

    I have a place in CT called Fore Seasons that has informed training facility with real sand...It's such a difference to play real sand, I 100% agree. I would try to find a place near you as they do exist here in New England.
  4. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    In Bethany? I have been there many times if that's the place you are speaking of. Only game in town in that area. I live in Maryland now, but used to be a member at Oxford Greens.
  5. benjamin g

    benjamin g

    Hey Fellas! Thanks for the notes. Joshua I'm going to check that place out ASAP. I'm over here in Hartford so it's not that bad a drive. The Mrs. may have something to say about the day away from home but I think I can handle that over going crazy about being trapped inside.
  6. benjamin g

    benjamin g

    Looks like that's the one. I just called them to see how much a day pass is. Joshua B, do you know how much it costs for a day? On the site it said $10 but that seems a bit cheap. If it is I'm all for it. Thanks again!
  7. Len D

    Len D
    Boston

    I built a range in my garage near Boston. Suddenly I want to jack hammer out a hole in the floor and fill it with sand. ;-)
    Post Image
  8. JReeter

    JReeter

    Len D said:

    I built a range in my garage near Boston. Suddenly I want to jack hammer out a hole in the floor and fill it with sand. ;-)
    Post Image

    Now that's funny!
  9. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    I can tell you that is what they charge. 10 bucks, all day. Same price for years. There's chipping area, hitting mats (into nets), bunkers, and putting green, which last time I was there was a bit miniature golfy. Way too fast and unrealistic. It also has indoor virtual golf with most of the world's best courses available for play. Need to pay extra and get tee time reservation for the Virtual Reality golf though.
  10. benjamin g

    benjamin g

    Thanks for the info Doug, I really appreciate the post! Also, Len, that's a sweet setup. I have my pop-up net in a small living room in my house which was approved by the Mrs. After this winter I am now more than just proficient at spackling holes in the walls (only 3 misses all winter) but the ball went right through.

    If you have the room in your backyard you might look into putting a sandbox back there. I was going to put in a real sand bunker and then talked to my buddy who is a landscaper and he made me aware of the actual cost and work that would be needed to build a real bunker. He said having a sandbox that I can practice out of would be a better "pitch" (pun intended) to the Mrs. and would also make my daughter happy. Now i just need approval to buy several tons of sand and maybe put in a putting green (perhaps artificial for low/no maintenance.)

    Thanks for the posts, guys!
    Listening closely for that dripping noise that only comes from melting snow!
  11. Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

    Rick V., Team Titleist Staff
    Duxbury, MA

    Team Titleist Staff

    Benjamin, It's not the real deal, but I've found that practicing off of wood chips is pretty close. The snow melted all around my daughters' jungle gym (the area is top-dressed with wood chips all around). I'll sneak out for five-minute sessions and the technique is just the same. You have to hit the same amount behind the ball, accelerate, etc. but the ball will react very similarly to an explosion shot from sand. We arctic people make do with what we have!

    P.S. I've tried wet pine straw, too, but it's considerably lighter, so you have to hit a few more inches behind the ball.

  12. greg p

    greg p
    Chicago 'burbs, IL

    I'm staying at Chuck's place next winter.

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