Issue 16 - Inside George’s Winter Grind ❄️

👋 Hey y’all, George here. Winter golf has officially arrived, and I’ll be honest, if it’s 35°, windy, and my hands go numb, I’m not exactly sprinting to the short-game area. But this time of year matters. It’s when the quiet work gets done, the fundamentals get cleaned up, and hopefully I can squeeze out a little more speed heading into next season.

We’ve also got a rare stretch at home, which means family time, shed upgrades, and trying (keyword, trying) to switch the brain off from YouTube for a day or two. Let’s dive into this week’s edition of The Bryan Brief.

P.S. Pelli’s Tip of the Week is at the end, how your finish tells your swing's story!

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💨 The part of my game in focus

This off season is really about one thing for me, and that is speed. I am not rebuilding my swing or changing mechanics, because my swing is my swing and I trust it, but I would love a little more ball speed heading into next year. The plan is simple: a few workouts, some light speed sessions, and keeping the swing efficient so that if I have been cruising in the mid 170s, I can cruise in the high 170s next year. Nothing forced, just a cleaner, faster version of what I already do.

❄️ What a winter practice day actually looks like for me

A fully focused winter day for me looks a little different from a summer one. If it is cold and windy, I am not out there grinding for hours. I will still hit balls to stay sharp, keep the full swing somewhat current, and make sure the body remembers how to move. But the short game and putting work definitely take a hit this time of year.

When it is 35 degrees and windy, I am not excited to stand there doing speed control drills or chipping for an hour. I know, I know, I am soft. But that is just how it goes in winter. The full swing holds together pretty well, the scoring parts of the game get a little shaky, and I just try to keep things moving in the right direction until the weather decides to cooperate.

Even with all that, I try to stay intentional. If I can get a few quality reps, even for a shorter window, that still goes a long way once spring comes back around.

📹 Is there even an off season as a YouTuber?

For YouTube, I would not say there is a true off season. The grind just shifts a little. When we have videos filmed, I get more time at home to reset and spend time with family, which is huge. But I still want to practice, keep a club in my hand, and stay plugged into the game, because when the bigger videos and tournaments come back, I want to be ready.

🧠 The hardest part of grinding

The toughest part of winter practice is knowing someone out there is grinding while you stay home. You can put in hours and still see no real progress, which can be frustrating. Even now, I still want my game to improve because I care about being the best version of myself on the course. The truth is, the only way that happens is by doing the quiet work when nobody is watching.

🏡 What else this "off season" is for

This off season is a rare chance to be home for more than a few days at a time. I want to spend real time with family, slow down a little, and work on a few shed projects like shelving, memorabilia displays, and decluttering. I also need to switch the brain off from YouTube here and there, which is harder for me than it sounds. If I can get even a couple days where I focus on real golf and real life without scrolling, that will be a win.

🚀 What should show up first next season

If this winter goes to plan, the first thing you should notice is a little more ball speed, nothing crazy, just a steady cruise in the high 170s. I also want the swing to look more balanced and polished, especially when things get competitive again. Mentally, I am working on staying positive regardless of the score, something the New Zealand boys have helped me with. And with good vibes and graphite shafts, anything feels possible.

Week 16 – Why Your Finish Tells the Whole Story 💡

What Your Finish Says About Your Swing

• A great finish does not create a great shot, but great shots almost always come with a great finish.
• If you struggle with a right-hand toss or flip, your finish will run away and lose structure.
• Good players stick their finish with short irons because their arms and pivot work together.
• Pelli’s drill → place an alignment stick or extender just above your lead shoulder to guide where your arms should finish.
• Stick the finish and you will control the clubface better and eliminate that flip.

Pelli filmed the full demonstration. Tap the image above to watch the drill in action.

Another week of the winter grind in the books ❄️ I will keep chasing a little more speed and a little better golf while we stack videos and plan what is next.

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- George & Wesley