When the summer season ends and the golf courses begin to prep the course for the winter months as the leaves fall, it’s time for you to pack up the bags and say goodbye. No, it isn’t time to say goodbye. If you are the diehard fan, or crazy as your golfing buddies like to call it, you will be right back out on the course as the temperatures dip into the low 40s and the dark storm clouds perpetually hover over the course.
You love the cold weather, and there is no reason why you can’t hit the course (if it is still open) to have a rousing game. While you may lose a few golf buddies as they head for warmer climates, you find that you have the green all to yourself and more tee times to select from that fit into your schedule. Yet before you slip on the shorts and sunhat, you have to properly prepare for the colder weather so you don’t freeze yourself or have a difficult time on the links. Here are a few preparation tips you can use during winter golf.
1: Layer Up
Layering is vital so you can stay warm without overheating yourself or feel like you are carrying around sandbags filled with sweat as you try to make your golf swing. Normally you want to have three clothing layers on in this order: a short-sleeve shirt that is comfortable as it will help draw in the moisture from your body heat; a turtleneck or sweater to add a nice layer of insulating warmth while still allowing for air to move about (this is the breathable layer); then a waterproof jacket to fight off the cold wind and wet conditions. If you are a person who is particularly affected by the cold weather, you can also place on a fourth layer, such as a pullover or vest for added warmth, under the jacket.
2: Walk, Don’t Ride
A lot of people will tell you that you can keep warmer by walking instead of driving a golf cart around, and this statement is true. By walking, you have the opportunity to loosen up the muscles in the cold weather and let your body produce enough warmth to last you throughout the day. Yet also keep in mind that the course itself will suffer from the wet and cold weather. Carts can cause damage to the course even when it is frozen if it goes through cycles of warm and cold during the late fall. Walking is better for the health of the course, yet due to winter rules, you should still call the golf superintendent to find out if the course is still playable on the day you go there. Even walking on certain courses can kill off the grass when there is frost on the ground.
3: Take Care of Cold Balls
Scientific research has been performed to determine if golf balls are affected by cold temperatures, and the answer is yes. The balls simply won’t have the same ball flight no matter how much you pound into them. Keeping the balls warm will allow them to travel farther distances. Yet you will have to do this before you head out onto the course. You will be violating golf rules 14-3 if you use pocket warmers to keep the balls warm. Another suggestion is to use lower compression balls that will give you better performance when the temperatures dip down to the lower digits.
4: Warm Up The Fingers
Just like your golf balls, your fingers need to be warm so you can confidently grip your clubs. Pocket hand warmers are perfect to help out your fingers when traveling from hole to hole. You can also invest in a second pair of winter golf gloves that can be worn over the first pair for added protection from the bad weather. Also, keep in mind that pockets are your friend if you simply don’t like the feeling of wearing two golf gloves when swinging the golf club.
5: Just Go Out and Have Fun
With so many weather-related factors stacked against you, become realistic that you won’t play a stellar game of golf in cold weather. Everything changes from the way the golf ball will travel through the air to how it will land on frozen and wet ground. Your body will stiffen up when the temperatures take a nosedive and you will alternate between reviving your cold fingers to wiping your dripping nose.
So why go out there when there are so many things that could go wrong? Enjoy the game. Golf is a perfect sport to keep in shape year-round so that you are mentally and physically prepared when spring arrives and the courses are at their best. Winter golf is also the perfect time to practice with an extra club or different golf clubs that you might have forgotten were even in your bag as they can get some time on the links. This time of year is also a great time to take your junior golfer off the golf simulator and on to local courses for a real golf game. Get some fresh air with your junior golfer and show them how an avid golfer plays a round of golf. Perhaps the best part of winter golf is that when you go to the golf course during the spring and summer with your golf buddies, they will be working the kinks out of their muscles while you will be better prepared to show them how much you have improved.
6: Enjoy the Game of Golf on Your Terms
Really, you don’t have to let anyone tell you that the golf season is over. Hit the driving range and continue to enjoy golfing on your terms. Visit the golf shop for golf equipment or simply make different preparations to fight off the cold and rainy weather. Whether you stick to courses in your area or travel out to some of the best courses in the world, find the place where you can dig in your golf heels and let your swing fly to advance your skills. One place that will allow you to hone your gameplay is the River’s Edge golf course. One of the best golf courses open year-round in Oregon, the River’s Edge offers 18 holes of exceptional game playing as the gorgeous scenery and the challenging par-72 course will continue to surprise and test your skills. Check out the golf vacation package and schedule a tee time at your convenience.
Source: River’s Edge Golf Blog