Are you the kind of player who leaves their discs in the closet all winter long and needs a bit of a break during the offseason? Or do you hit the gym right away and spend hours at the field practicing the shots you felt were lacking during the last year? Whether you view the offseason as vacation time or not, there are some critical steps you can take to maximize this free time and get yourself ready for future performances.

The Past Predicts The Future

Ok maybe that’s not always true, but reviewing your 2018 season in anticipation of getting out there in 2019 can actually do you a lot of good. If you’re a touring player, examine various elements of your tour to see how you can make changes in the future:

● Diet – Traveling can make it difficult to eat nutrient-dense foods, and over time your performance on the course can suffer. If you fell victim to too much fast food in 2018, try planning ahead with healthy snacks you can bring on the road. Scope out restaurants in areas you’ll be in that focus on healthier dining options.

● Rest time – Did you jam pack your schedule with tons of A-tiers in between big events? If it seemed that you were constantly running from event to event, ask yourself why. Maybe you have the drive to play your heart out, which is awesome, or you might have needed to do it to increase your cash earnings. Either way, try integrating more rest time into your 2019 schedule if you found yourself getting run down last year.

● Sleep – For many of us, we don’t quite get the same night’s rest when we’re not in our own bed. Did you end up sleeping in the back seat of your car one too many times? Or how about crashing on a friend’s floor with little more than a few blankets to keep you comfortable? Take a look at your options for accommodations, and at the very least, keep a travel-sized cot and pillows with you to help you get restful sleep while on the road.

Maintaining Your Strength

Everyone’s body reacts differently to disc golf – some find they need rest due to a past injury or they just wear themselves down a little too much. Others benefit from pushing themselves to get into peak physical shape in only a few months so they can get out there in February and crush it.

If you live in an area that’s inundated with snow and harsh weather during the offseason, it doesn’t necessarily prevent you from putting in the work to improve your game. While you may not be able to visit an open field to practice, you can utilize indoor areas to hone your putting and upshot techniques. Get involved in the winter putting league or even join your local gym to keep your athletic ability up.

It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint

Perhaps one of the biggest shifts you can make during the offseason is to view each year as part of a marathon of disc golf. Instead of packing as much as possible into each season and then ending it exhausted and becoming a couch potato for three months during the winter, change your perspective to a more long-term approach.

What can you be doing now, in February to find success 7 months from now? Are there small steps you can take now that will pay off over a long period of time instead of making narrowly focused decisions?

Each player has their own set of priorities when it comes to disc golf, and above all else, you should do what works best for your body and your schedule. In the end, the goal should always be to become a better player and perhaps even find more balance during a hectic tour schedule. How are you preparing in the offseason for maximum success? Let us know in the comments below!