Cold Weather Golf Tips
Brr! When the leaves have fallen and the air turns cold and crisp, you put the clubs away until spring.
Maybe you head to warmer climates for a week of golf in February, or stop at an indoor driving range a time or two if your area has one.
But for you, golf is on hold until the weather rides into town again.
Not so fast. Believe it or not, plenty of golfers play all winter, even in cold climates.
You can too — just keep these tips in mind.
Modify your Expectations
Studies show that golf balls fly several yards shorter in cold weather.
You’ll also find it hard to make a full backswing wearing multiple layers of clothing.
With these limitations, you’ll enjoy cold weather golf more if you accept that, given the conditions, you can’t play to your regular standards.
Walk the Course
Yes, leave the golf carts in the barn and walk the course.
You’ll be surprised how warm you get when you walk briskly to your ball.
Consider taking a pull cart, or as the say in England, a trolley.
You’ll save the hassle of carrying your clubs, while getting some exercise and staying warm.
Avoid the Wind
Picture a bright, clear winter day with moderate temperatures and blue skies.
The snow has melted and the golf course beckons.
The only thing that can ruin this scenario is the wind.
A cold wind makes otherwise perfect conditions difficult to deal with.
When you check the weather on your phone and see the temperature is 38, but it “feels like” 27, you are dealing with a serious wind chill that will bite you
Try to hit the course on less windy days.
Use Golf Balls with Bright Colors
Imagine trying to find your white golf ball on ground covered with a thin covering of snow.
Sure, you can hit it — if you can find it. Why go through the added stress?
Today you can buy a wide variety of balls sporting neon-bright colors.
Bench your normal balls in favor of Day-Glo yellow, and find your ball fast no matter where it lands.
Here’s another tip: use a softer compression ball to get as much cold weather distance as possible.
Keep Your Hands Warm
Nothing will ruin your swing like frozen hands. Grab a chemical hand warmer to keep your hands toasty and ready to play.
Lots of brands make cold weather golf gloves that you wear on both hands.
However, on colder days, they may not be thick enough.
Many winter golfers wear warm mittens over their golf gloves — the type that has a slit in the middle so you can fold back the top to grip the club, make your shot, and return the top portion to its original position.
Layer It Up
Keep your heavy winter jacket in the closet.
Instead, opt for several layers of thin clothing.
Each layer will trap warm air, and the thin layers make it easier to turn your core for a full swing.
Old Wives’ Tale
Remember when your parents badgered you to wear a hat because “you lose most of your body heat from the head.”
Even the US Army Field Manual used to say more than 40 percent of body heat is lost from the head.
Unfortunately, it’s an old myth. Still, it’s hard to enjoy your round if your ears and head are cold.
Try this: put on a golf cap, and put a warm stocking cap over that to keep your ears warm.
Year-Round Fun
Cold weather golf does have limitations you don’t face in the middle of July, but you don’t have to park your sticks in the garage until then.
Use these tips and head to a course near you
Here’s an added bonus: green fees are much lower in the winter. Now you can buy more yellow balls.
The Keiser University College of Golf is a golf college in Florida where you can play nearly year round.
If you want to turn your favorite hobby into a career in the golf industry contact us today to find out more.
