Take time to warm-up, says Rose

If bumpy greens, frozen fairways and biting winds keep you from the golf course this winter, then you're not alone.

But just because your clubs are in hibernation for much of the time, there's no excuse for turning your back on a few fundamentals to keep your game on the boil.

After all, while many golfers are stuffing themselves with Christmas cheer, piling on the pounds and demanding sympathy for self-enforced hang-overs, the ones who will comes out of the traps next spring looking to improve their game will be those who work on it during the dark winter months.

Justin Rose has been enjoying a few weeks away from the game himself and before kick-starting his schedule in South Africa, gave us Brits a few more tips on how to keep our game in reasonable shape, despite playing infrequently over the winter.

1. Stay cool, don't rush

"Club golfers should never rush to the course cold and flustered. If you haven't played for a while, make sure you get there in plenty of time to hit some balls on the range and take some putts.

"The balls on the range might be like bullets and the practice putting green might resemble a skating rink, but at least when you get to the first tee you've as good a chance as possible as hitting a good one.

"When you're not playing much this should be you're number one consideration. Warm-up and get a feel for your swing and the putter head"

"With the limited time you have to hit balls over winter make sure it's productive.

"Lay a club down (on the line of your target) and work on your alignment (feet, knees, hips, shoulders parallel). By placing a club in the centre of your stance, at right angles to the first one, work on ball position. Slightly forward of centre for the longer-shafted clubs.

"Keep on top of the fundamentals. These are the most important things and there is really no excuse for not practising them. If your fundamentals are right the rest of it shouldn't get too far out of whack."

"Make sure the weight is on the balls on your feet, a little flex in your knees and a straight back. This will help keep some sort of feeling there of what is the right posture."

(But make sure when the lift stops and the doors open you're standing normally and looking cool and in control or it could be embarrassing, as Justin admits. ED)

"Generally the greens will be terrible so don't let it affect your confidence. You have to accept you may not play so well if you are playing infrequently and in tough winter conditions, when the greens might be firm and bumpy."

"Last but never least just try and enjoy your golf during the inter break. I'd even recommend taking a little hip flask of whisky and make sure you get a bacon sarnie at the turn. (Yes, even Tour pros can afford to eat and drink unhealthily during their winter off). After all it's meant to be fun - and at least you're play !"

Why not tell us by leaving comment.....

what you plan to work on in your game this winter.