I am lucky as golf in Arkansas is pretty much a year round thing with the exception of a week here and there due to cold fronts that move through. Late winter and early Spring presents lots of challenges that you don't have to deal with during the peak golf season. The driving range is on mats for the most part and the short game area you are chipping and pitching off of tight lies due to dormant grass. This is the time to start using other clubs in your bag you don't normally use for chipping e.g., hybrids, 6,7 and 8 irons instead of your wedges. The object of golf is to get the ball in the hole with the least amount of strokes and it is a lot easier to use a putting grip and stroke with an 8 iron and bump and run the ball then to try to chip it up in the air off of a damp, tight dormant grass when you do not have to go over a bunker. This time of year also brings in a lot of wind that you have to deal with. I look at all of these challenges as fun and what makes this the greatest game.

Sorry gang. I retired to Arizona just to make sure I can work on my game everyday. As I get older, I need to stretch more and do light workouts.

I go to Myrtle Beach for 3 months playing the Barefoot Resort courses.

Weather is breaking in Chicago. Most courses are open or will be by the end of next week.
I like to start my season with short game practice at the range. Focus is on tempo and loosening the dormant muscles. The first few times out, I will take my sunday bag with 4-5 clubs and head out to play a few holes of target golf. Nothing over 200 yds., easy swings, just trying to make solid contact.
It's an exciting time of the year, full of high expectations.

I like your bag also, Abby. Is it a current offering?

Funny you mention "the fever" Abby. I've got it too. What seems to get my season started off best is short game practice. I take only my 56, 60, and 64 degree wedges and my putter to my club and try to log a couple of hours every other day for at least a week. That was last week. This week I'll add my irons. By the end of the week I'll add my woods. For the first practice session with each addition (irons, woods) I only swing 1/2-3/4 swings. In 2-2.5 weeks I'm usually right where I left off or a touch better. I know that's drawn out for most folks, but I have my pride. My regulars shall not take me down. ;-)

Well first things first, I get as much range time as I can as early as I can (including hitting balls when I can see my breath!). I don't focus on targets at first but more so my mechanics and especially balance to get a feel for how winter conditioning has imacted my swing and to see where I am at in general. Next it's all about getting to the practice greens specifically the chipping green. It's all about honing the touch around the greens! This year is especially special to me because I am getting fitted for AP2's!!!!!! Can't wait!

What worked well for me last year was to hit the range 5 times before playing. No emphasis on swing perfection just getting loose. Also decided that I would just work on hitting cut driver for 2015. Started the process yesterday and also realized that this year I will sign up for 6 lessons and pay ahead of time so I commit to improvement in 2016. Also play whie tees until I break 80.

I play all winter with guys who have covers and heaters and it is great to be able to stay in the game. Have started hitting more range balls and prepping for golf trip soon. Going south for a week, can't wait to get to warm weather.

Go to the range, hack some balls and enjoy the experience without expectations if the very first thing I do. As I get into things, the I become more focused.

I took lessons this winter so I actually practiced between lessons (like you're supposed to right?). I have a net in the garage so I try to hit a little at least every other day but you can't see ball flight. The 1st 50* days here I went to the outside range to get a better sense of ball flight. Hate hitting off mats!!
Played last night for the 1st time this year and I gotta say all the practice over the winter really helped! Driver was on - irons were good but partial wedges (feel shots) were off. From 95yds flew the flag on #18 by 10 yds!
So, for me its going to be chipping and pitching when the short game area opens April 1st (or if my backyard drys up enough to walk out there!)

First you should go out to a range or a couple holes and figure out your distances again. They could've easily changed over the course of time you were not playing.

Usually hit the range once or twice. First time out just swinging to see where everything is at and make notes of anything particularly ugly. Second trip will be to work out ugly swings noted in first practice after researching some faults and fixes. Hopefully after that hit the local 9 hole and see what happens on the course and work from there. Hopefully the weather stays good through March and I can keep up my twice a week schedule, need some serious short game work!