We are officially past summer and temperatures are only going to begin to become cooler and the days have already become noticeably shorter. Does that mean it’s time to put the clubs away? Absolutely not.
As any keen golfer knows, as beautiful as hitting the course at the height of summer can be it can be a little crowded. Summer is the peak time for new and casual players looking to get a few holes in while the sun is out but, come the colder seasons, the course becomes quieter. You might need an additional layer or two, but winter golf can be much better than summer golf.
Why You Should Keep Playing
If your goal is to be the very best golfer you can be, then sitting out a quarter of the year isn’t going to do much for the development of your game. By the time the spring comes around you will be spending weeks playing yourself back into your groove, whereas if you remain active in the cold then your game will be in a much better place.
Playing in winter conditions also helps to improve your game by presenting a new challenge that you simply won’t encounter in the warmer months. Hitting a drive on a cold winter morning, complete with icy wind, is a completely different beast from taking on the fairway in the middle of July. Managing such problematic environments will mean that you should find peak conditions to be much more adaptable.
Winter golf forces you to call on a wide range of shots within your arsenal, some of which you probably rarely use in the summer. High winds, colder temperatures and decreased visibility force you to alter your game and adapt to the conditions. Even if you are used to the course, winter conditions can make it a whole new ball game.
Layer Up
Needless to say, you won’t be walking around the course in a t-shirt. Neither will you want to attempt to play whilst wearing restrictive clothing, either, so finding the right middle ground where you are both warm and comfortable is essential.
Thermals are a winter golfer’s best friend. A thick pair of socks and a woolly hat will help to keep you warm even on the most bitter of frosty days. Wet weather gloves will also not only work to keep your hands warm but the grip becomes firmer the wetter they get, meaning that your golf swing shouldn’t be impeded by an inadequate grip.
A thin base layer (such as a second skin) should go some way to finding that sweet spot providing warmth and comfort. Pack a light waterproof to wear on top when it’s wet, too. These will keep you warm and dry without restricting your range of movement.
Equipment
The first thing you are going to want to do is to swap out your standard white balls for high-visibility yellow ones. The last thing you will want to do is to try to find a white golf ball in frosty rough – you might as well try to find a needle in a haystack.
Secondly, add loft to your driver. We have previously written about the benefits of increasing your driver loft to add extra yardage to your drive, but in the winter there is another reason why you should. The ground is softer due to the extra moisture and, because of that, the ball is less likely to roll as far as it would on a warm and dry day in the summer. Adding loft to your driver will help to counteract the loss of roll, making up at least some of the distance if not more.
Winter wheels for your golf bag are an often overlooked essential. They will pick up less mud, thus not causing as much damage to the course, and make transporting the bag up and down the course far easier.
Lastly, don’t forget to pack an umbrella. It will help to keep you dry, as well as keep your bag dry when taking your shots. Nobody wants to chuck a soaking wet bag in their car after finishing a round of golf.
Time to Practice Golf
The winter is the perfect time to get your practice in, whether that is out on the course, the driving range, or even at home. As fewer golfers make use of the course in the winter, there is less pressure to hurry your shots – ideal if you are still getting to grips with the game. This allows golfers to relax and try new things, rather than watching over their shoulder and feeling guilty about holding up the next party.
Depending on the weather, the course may not be in a suitable position to play on. The driving range will likely remain open where you can practice your drives (and make use of the heating and shelter provided). If it’s power and/or the technical aspects of your swing you are hoping to work on, installing a net in your garden (space permitting) means that you will have a dedicated practice area all year round with no worries about smashing a window!
Yes, drumming up the motivation to get out there in the middle of winter isn’t quite as easy as it is in the summer, but you will reap the rewards of going the extra mile when others would rather stay in bed.
