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The months of November through April can be dreary for golfers in cold climates. For those in the north, you could find yourself frustrated during the offseason, trying to figure out how you can still practice.
Sometimes, if you catch a warm spell, you might even decide to venture out onto the course, flurries and all.
This guide is for those who decide to brave the elements, for those courageous souls who pack the bags, pull on their gloves and venture out into the cold unknown to work on their game.
We’ll go over how exactly you can play a round when it’s under forty degrees outside, some rules you should keep in mind while playing, the gear you should bring and also some alternatives to braving it in the snow.
Here is your ultimate guide to winter golf.
How to Play Golf in the Winter
Golf simulators, ranges and some short chipping at home can be great for your game, but sometimes it doesn’t live up to the real-time experience of being out on the course. If you take a look at the weather, call your local course and determine today’s the day you’re gonna hoof it out into the cold, there are a few things to keep in mind while you play.
1. Check the Forecast
The first thing you’ll want to do if you haven’t already is to check the forecast. Depending on where you live, the ideal temperature for winter golf may fluctuate. For instance, those in Florida might see 50 degrees as too cold to hit the links, while those in the northeast may view 50 degrees as a gift from God to play in the early days of March.
Typically, you’ll want to aim for above 40 degrees when playing golf. Anything under this can make it considerably more difficult to get the ball around the course.
Check the radar to see if any rain is coming, whether or not it will be windy and if snow is possible. All of this will be very important when you’re deciding what to wear out on the links.
2. Layer Up
The most important part about winter golf is staying warm while you play. As soon as you get cold on the course, it can be very difficult to warm up again and this can wreak havoc on your game.
Wear a knit hat and wool socks and layer up with thermal shirts and thick jackets. You don’t want to add so many layers that you can’t swing, of course, but enough to keep you insulated for a day spent outside in the cold.
Some rain golf pants and shoes will help you stay dry and give you wind resistance. Later, we’ll go over exactly what you should wear on the course in the winter.
3. Pack Cold Weather Golf Gear
Aside from warm clothes, you should also bring cold-weather golf gear. Umbrellas, hand warmers, scarves and extra gloves are all great for defending against the elements. In the winter, it’s better to over-pack so that you’re ready for whatever comes at you.
4. Warm Up
When it’s cold out, you should spend a lot more time warming up and getting your body ready for the round. Spend some time at the first tee stretching, doing some jumping jacks and getting your blood flowing. This will help you stay nimble during the round and allow you to have a full range of motion while you play.
5. Go Over the Rules
Winter golf has its own unique set of rules that you and your group will likely have to discuss before you start playing. This includes things such as the embedded ball rule and preferred lies. We’ll cover that more in a future section.
6. Forego the Cart
Winter golf is all about keeping your body moving throughout the round so that blood keeps pumping and you stay warm. If you get a cart, you eliminate a lot of that time moving around the course. Instead, forego the cart and walk instead. You’ll find yourself staying warm during the round as you’ll be constantly moving.
7. Club Up and Tee It Forward
When a golf ball is cold, it doesn’t travel nearly as far as it usually would. To get more out of your shots, consider using a club up. Your group could also talk about playing the forward tees, as it will speed up your game and also make it easier to get to the greens in tough conditions. There’s no shame in playing the closer tees — winter golf is a different animal, and the elements can completely change how the ball flies.
8. Be Creative
Snow golf may require you to do some different things during your round. Take this in stride and be creative out there – putt from a sheet of ice onto the green, hit low stingers instead of trying to chip high into the wind. Do what you can to play with the elements instead of trying to go against them.
9. Have a Good Time
There’s nothing quite like winter golf. Most times, golfers are just happy to have snagged a warm day in the bleakness of winter to get out on the course and enjoy some time with friends. Bundle up, sip some cocoa and swing easy to that you can get the most out of your round and have fun out on the course.
Winter Golf Rules
Before you start your winter golf round, you should also make sure that you and those around you understand the unique rules that govern cold-weather golf.
Lift, Clean and Place
This rule states that you’re allowed to mark your ball, lift it from the spot where it’s at, clean it and then place it back on the ground. This rule is especially important in winter golf because your ball will frequently be covered with mud or even snow. You can agree with your buddies before the round to follow this rule and make things easier during your round.
Embedded Ball
Because the ground is often wetter and softer during the winter, you can also play the embedded ball rule, which allows you to remove your ball from the earth so that you can play it cleanly.
Standing Water
Winter golf courses are also full of standing water. Instead of splashing your way out of dozens of puddles, you can remove your ball and play it from a nearby dry area.
Preferred Lie
Aside from standing water and embedded balls, there is plenty of muck out on a golf course during the winter. Mud, snow, leaves — all of this can greatly impact a golf shot. The preferred lie rule allows golfers to move their ball to a safe area nearby, allowing them to hit a cleaner shot.
While traditional golfers may tout the “play where it lies” rule, sometimes winter golf requires you to make some adjustments to speed up the round and make it more enjoyable.
Winter Golf Clothes
One of your top priorities when you’re out on the golf course in the winter is to stay warm. You can achieve this by choosing the right winter golf outfits and winter golf attire. Here are some clothes to pack and layer with when you’re going on a winter golf trip.
Winter Golf Shirts
Layering is key for winter golf. You want to find something insulating that won’t make you feel bulky or overheated during the round. There are plenty of winter golf shirts you can find that will help you stay cozy during your round.
Winter Golf Jackets
The golf industry is flooded with great jacket options, from rain jackets to more insulating ones meant for cold-weather use.
Winter Golf Hats
Invest in a knit golf hat to keep your ears and neck warm during the round. There’s more than enough on the market so that you can pick and choose from your favorite designs.
Winter Golf Tees
Sometimes golf courses will have temporary mats in place where you hit from to protect the grass. If you don’t like hitting from the mats, you could pick up some winter golf tees before your round, which allow you to place your ball on a tee without having to stick it in the ground.
Winter Golf Gloves
Choosing gloves for winter golf can be tough — you want your hands to stay warm but you also want that grip on the club. Check out some winter golf gloves to find that happy medium.
Winter Golf Pants
You’ll want to find something other than the thin pants you usually wear during a nice summer day out on the links. Instead, find some waterproof golf pants and even layer up with thermals underneath.
Winter Golf Shoes
Waterproof shoes are so important for winter golf. The course is probably going to be wet and have lots of standing water from melting snow. Be sure to find a great pair of warm, waterproof golf shoes so that you can be confident during your round.
Cold Weather Golf Gear
Choosing the right winter golf outfit is an effective way to make your round go smoothly. However, don’t forget to bring the correct golf gear, too.
Golf Cart Covers
Walking the course in the winter can help keep your blood flowing. Sometimes, the group might need to take a cart. In these instances, you’ll want to make sure you’re staying warm in other ways. Golf cart covers will help block the wind and allow you to retain some heat where you’re sitting.
Umbrellas
Winter golf is full of rain and flurries. Always bring an umbrella to prepare for the freak sleet shower.
How to Practice Golf in the Winter
Now, sometimes getting out on the golf course during the winter just isn’t possible. But don’t worry — there are still other ways you can get some practice in without trudging out into a snowstorm.
Invest in a Golf Simulator
One of the most modern and popular ways to practice golf in the winter months is to use a golf simulator. Golf simulators use cutting-edge technology to replicate a day out on the course. They’re surprisingly accurate and also very fun. You can play games with family and friends and also work on your game to hone your skills and become a better player.
Golf simulators also come in a variety of prices and designs, giving you the ability to sort through which product might be right for your situation. If you want to go all out, you could even spend some time planning out your own golf simulator man cave.
Practice at Home
You can even practice at home without the help of a golf simulator. Simply going through the motions of your swing and using foam balls for chipping and putting can help you master your short game. You can even stand a mirror up in front of you and practice the mechanics of your swing to see where you might need some improvement. Check out some office putting green sets to get some practice in at work.
Book a Golf Trip to Warm Weather Courses
In the cold and dark of winter, a golf trip with friends to some warm weather is the perfect antidote. Consider destinations such as Scottsdale, Myrtle Beach and Miami to escape the winter blues and play some awesome courses under the hot sun.
Hit the Range
Search online to see if there are any indoor or heated golf ranges near you. You could even check out some commercial options like TopGolf, which offers an amazing experience that the whole family can enjoy.
Absorb Golf Content
If you can’t play it, read about it, watch it — absorb as much golf content as you can so that you can learn and feed that desire to play. There’s no shortage of golf content out there, too — what you’re reading right now is a great piece of content that can help you out on the course.
There is so much that goes into golf, so there’s an endless amount of content to go with it.
Hit the Gym
Golf requires a healthy body to play well. Make sure you’re hitting the gym during the off months to keep yourself in good shape. Consider taking some yoga classes to keep your body spry and your flexibility intact.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about winter golf.
How Cold Is Too Cold for Golf?
Most people agree that anything under 40 degrees is too cold for golf. Now, some of this will depend on where you live and how hardy you are up against the cold. For a comfortable round, aim for something 50+. Anything below 30 degrees can turn ugly quickly.
When Do Golf Courses Close for the Winter?
Most golf courses will close in late October or early November to protect the quality of the course. Some, however, will stay open year-round to golfers.
Is It Bad to Play Golf in Cold Weather?
It’s true that cold weather leads to stiffness, which may lead to a higher risk of injury. You can help combat this by staying warm on the course and warming before you round.
Winter Golf: The Bottom Line
Once you get the golf bug, you’ll be looking to play golf whenever you can — even if it’s snowing. Just remember to stay safe, bundle up and have fun out on the course. And don’t forget to make some snow angels.