For some players, golf is all about relaxation – swinging and strolling as the sun streams down on a beautiful warm summer’s day.
Some golfers, however, are made of sterner stuff.
For us true grit golf fanatics, cold weather isn’t enough to keep us off the course. And, of course, if you’re a golfer who lives in a climate where it’s cold for a large part of the year, you’re going to have to brave the cold.
But when the temperatures plummet, the game changes. So, if you want to keep your score down, you’ll need to approach it in a different way.
Here are some key tips on how to not just endure but enjoy playing golf in cold weather.
Get kitted out for the cold
Dressing warm is a no brainer, but let’s get specific. Golf is all about freedom of movement and flexibility, so forget anything that feels bulky and restrictive. Instead, focus on the following:
Thermal leggings
When it comes to playing golf in the cold, having a good pair of thermal leggings underneath your trousers is essential. There are some great men’s performance compression leggings out there, made specifically to support your muscles and promote blood circulation.
Thick socks
Keeping your feet warm and comfortable is going to help your cold weather golf game no end. Nowadays, the amount of specialist golf socks available is pretty amazing and they’re all designed with thermal and breathability features. Go for the longer type to keep those calves warm.
Thermal top
A thermal compression top is a very important piece of kit for playing any kind of sport in cold weather. With golf – a game that’s far less mobile than others – it’s especially important. The key point of a compression top is that it feels like a second skin, so you get the extra warmth without compromising on flexibility – essential for keeping your swing nice and smooth.
A warm winter hat
Any good golf psychologist will tell you… “fire in the belly, head in the freezer.” But not literally. Ditch that swanky Bernhard Langer-style sun visor and invest in a snug beanie-style hat to keep your head and your ears nice and warm on the course.
Gloves or hand warmers
A regular golf glove is not going to be enough to keep you warm. Invest in thermal golf gloves or, if you prefer, disposable hand warmers. Both are designed to protect your hands from the cold without compromising on the feel of the club in your hands.
Take time to warm up and stay warm
Once you’ve got the right clothing, it’s important to fully prepare before you tee off. Warming up is important at any time of the year – during the winter, especially so. Stretch your muscles to avoid injury and do a bit of light exercise to get your heart going and your blood pumping.
Once you’ve got yourself warm, stay warm. You might be tempted to take a cart around the course when the weather gets cold. In fact, walking is your best bet. Keeping moving is going to help you keep warm in between shots and your game will be all the better for it.
Think about your balls
No I’m not talking about thermal underwear (although, come to think of it, not such a bad idea), but rather the effect of cold weather on the dynamics of your golf ball. Without getting too scientific – I’ll leave that to the weather experts – golf balls tend to lose distance and spin in colder weather.
So, it makes sense to adapt your choice of golf ball when the temperature drops. Check out our tour distance golf balls – their Surlyn shell casing gives you a soft touch and great distance, even in cold weather conditions.
It’s also vital to keep your golf balls as warm as possible. You’re going to get more distance and control. Keep a couple in your pocket before you tee off with them or in a thermal pocket in your golf bag.
Make smart shot choices
Bearing in mind that cold dense air is going to affect distance and spin, and that a slightly frosty ground is going to give more bounce to your ball, you’re going to have to adjust your game accordingly.
Judging distances on a cold weather course is no mean feat. A lot is going to come down to educated guesswork and trial and error – with a likely emphasis on the word ‘error.’ That’s why you want to get a feel for things before taking on risky shots.
Keep it slow and steady. Lay off the speciality shots for at least the first nine holes. Then, once you’ve got a feel for how the ball is moving, you can start taking a few chances on the back nine.
Think about your inner game
Golf psychology is a big part of the game whatever the weather. But, when playing golf in cold weather conditions, having mental strength becomes even more crucial.
Approaching each shot in the right frame of mind and being able to visualise each shot is going to help you overcome conditions and keep your score down.
When playing golf in cold weather, managing stress is also going to be a big factor. There are going to be times when the ball won’t do what you want it to do, or when your swing just doesn’t feel as smooth as it normally does.
How you react to these challenges will make all the difference. So, keep stress in check and you’ll have a better chance of keeping your score down.
Adjust your expectations and enjoy yourself!
Perhaps, the most important thing is to adjust your expectations. It’s highly unlikely that you’re going to be hitting sweet shots time after time, shooting the same score as you would when the sun is shining and the temperature is warm. If you’re expecting that to happen, you might be in for a frustrating round.
Instead, be realistic and take it for what it is. A challenge. One that proves that you can play a good round of golf in the cold.
You might have to grind it out. You might have to settle for a par when you otherwise would have gone for a birdie. But if you relax and enjoy the experience, you’ll get a lot from it.
Because, come the comfort and warmth of the 19th hole there’s no doubt that, after playing a round of golf in cold weather, you’ll be a better golfer than you were before.