Some Useful Tips For Golfing In Cold Weather

Few things in life offer more pleasure than a nice round on a beautiful course on a warm and sunny day. Of course, unless you live in one of the Sun Belt states, limiting your play to ideal conditions will mean enduring a whole lot of days indoors when you’d rather be playing. However, golfing in cold weather is entirely doable and these tips will help you make the most of it.

Play a Simulator

Owning a golf launch monitor/simulator is a real advantage in winter. Let’s face it; even the most die-hard golfers are going to be reluctant to hit the links in extremely cold weather. Having one of these systems at home can help keep you sharp throughout the time of year when inclement weather prevails.  And, you’ll be better practiced on the days when you can tolerate the colder weather.

Dress in Layers

As warm as an overcoat might be, it’s going to take a whole lot of yards off of your tee shot. Long underwear, a vest, a sweater and a windbreaker will help preserve your mobility, while giving you dressing up and down options as your body temperature rises or falls. A turtleneck, thicker socks, a knit cap, gloves and hand warmers will also help maintain your comfort.

Warm Up First

In all frankness, you should do some stretches in the clubhouse before you take to the greens to limber up regardless of the outside temperature. This is even more important in winter though. A few light exercises will get your blood pumping, which will help your body stay warmer and help you avoid getting muscle strains and pulls because you’re trying to play when you’re too tight.

Walk the Course

Stride right on past the cart stand. Walk the course instead. Walking will help keep your circulation going, plus you won’t have to deal with the wind chill factor a cart generates.

Club Up

Even with taking all of the above advice into consideration, you’re still going to be tighter on 40° day than you would on a 70° round. Moreover, a cold golf ball does not respond as energetically as a warm one does. You’re going to need to club up to compensate for these factors. Let’s say you’re good for 150 yards with an 8-iron in warm weather—you might want to go with 7-iron on a cold day.

Keep Your Hands Warm

Wear those gloves, use those hand warmers, sling your bag over your shoulder and keep your hands pocketed as you walk from hole to hole. Warmer hands offer more feel, so keeping them suitably heated is paramount to your performance.

Use a Forward Tee

Set your ego aside and play one tee box forward than usual. Winter golf is a different animal altogether. The ball doesn’t travel as far. Your muscles are tighter and you’re wearing more restrictive clothing. Cut yourself some slack; be there to enjoy the game, rather than trying to beat your warm weather record.

Make Scoring Irrelevant

USGA handicap rules do not take winter scores in offseason states into consideration, so why bother with scoring? You won’t improve or diminish your handicap. Make your cold weather outings all about getting your reps in and keeping your swing loose. You’ll enjoy it more.

Winter does not have to be a time when you sit at home staring out of the window, anxious for winter to end. You can enjoy golfing in cold weather with these tips. And, you won’t have as much rust to shake off when that first sunny spring day does finally arrive.