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Playing golf in the winter might be the golfer’s biggest strength and the perfect demonstration of how much these fellows love the game.
For the true golfers out there who want golf to unleash itself; this is not winter, but spring. A rebuild of the swing, a new winter kit, a revised gym regime, changes in equipment, and so much more to add to the joy of the golfers!
Even if you aren’t the avid golfer-type, this is really not the time to keep your clubs away. Go out there and golf away!
Winter Golf Tips & Tricks to Thrive During this Upcoming Winter
There are things you must know if you want to survive the biting cold of the winter air from messing up your game. These tips and tricks will help you keep a check on your game.
- Firstly, the balls travel one yard too less by a drop of 10 degrees of temperature. The denser cold air creates an additional pull on the golf balls. As a result of this, you are losing yards of distance to degrees of falls. Also, how stiff your body becomes in the cold air and how it reacts affects the distance you can reach. Pro tip: Keep things warm with the recommendations we mentioned below.
- There are doers and sayers of “warming up the golf ball” idea. But here is science to the backup: you can’t ball a golf ball warm enough that won’t instantly adapt itself with the outside temperature once it comes in contact with cold air.
- Forget cotton when dressing for winter golf. The air-pass through the fibers might be breezy during the summer, but this is the exact reason why it is a hated one in the winter. You must learn the art of layering clothes. Remember polyester-pullover-jacket.
- Go for hot cocoa and water instead of espresso and alcohol in the long run. Your body will thank you. (We don’t mind 2 pints though.)
- You don’t just need to keep things warm. You need them to be dry. Therefore, your clothes should not only keep off the heat. But also rain and dew to stop everything from slipping and getting wet.
- Keeping the short game on the point will help to increase the scores.
- Due to the restrictions on trolley-free areas and as a good excuse to keep your shoulder muscles working, carry your bag along and trade the wheels. But if plan on the wheels, the hedgehog wheels are better since they pick up less mud.
- Playing golf in the cold means less roll on the greens. Don’t leave the extra clubs in the car.
- An adjustable driver and adding loft to your woods are great ways to cover more distance.
- Before getting to the golf course, spend your time doing some stretches at home. Warming up will keep the blood flowing and reduce the chance of an injury due to sharp movement or reflexes later. Don’t hit your first tee when you are freezing from cold.
- You can buy a practice golf net or attain the membership of an indoor practice facility to keep yourself active before playing winter golf outdoors.
- Practice up to 50 swings a day to get the flow of the feeling if you’ve been away from the game for some time.
Read: How to Practice Golf in the Winter
Winter Golf Rules
There are differences between winter and summer golf rules. For this reason, let us clear the air of confusion.
Preferred Lies
This is more commonly known as the winter golf rule. By this rule, you are allowed to pick up, clean and place your golf balls on the course. This is not to give you any special advantage. During winter, the balls get so dirty in the mud bath of the greens, that if you are not cleaning them often, it will be hard to play.
If you intend to play in tournaments or enter competitions, be sure to check with the rules. After you clean the ball:
-You are allowed to place it within six inches of prior position.
-It can’t be closer to the hole.
-You can’t take it from the rough to the fairway.
-You’re not allowed to move the ball from the fringe to the greens.
Pro tip: If the mud is on the left, the ball drifts itself to the right and vice versa. So keep this in mind.
Read: What is Footgolf
Casual Waters
The drainage system of one court can be better than the other. If it rains, you are bound to give in to the mighty presence of the casual waters. If you find yourself in such a position or your golf ball in a muddy puddle, mark it with a tee and find the nearest point of relief. At that point, drop the ball. Redirect then to Preferred lies rule. Confirm with the friends you are playing with, the establishment of the relief point.
Read: How to winterize your golf cart?
Embedded Ball Rule
The embedded ball rule holds true for all time throughout the year. In wet conditions, the ball can be tough to locate out in the turf. That is when you get a free relief unless the ball is in a hazard.
If you find it embedded, you can clean it, take the relief of one club not going too close to the hole.
Winter Golf Gear
Winter Golf Gloves
To ensure quality traction when holding stuff, your winter gloves must be of a good grip. Silicone is a good grip-setter. The exterior of your glove can be made of leather or synthetic. The fleece interior can keep you warm. Whichever material, it should be water-resistant.
See: Best Golf Gloves for Grip
Winter Golf Cart Covers
Golf carts covers can be used to give protection to your investments. They should be UV resistant and give protection against heat, sun, and cold. Also, it should save your stuff from damage, dirt, and debris.
Read: Playing golf in different weather conditions
Winter Golf Tees
Your golf tee should be able to look, feel and play like turf. These are available in multiple sizes and should be one that can be easily installed without a filler.
See: Best Golf Tees
Winter Golf Balls
A high-performance tour ball is great. But if you want, you can invest in a low-compression ball. Although you will lose a little spin on this, you’ll see it traveling further.
Other Winter Golf Accessories
Carry more than one towel to clean the grip, to wipe away the downpour and as an extra when you would think to yourself why you didn’t bring another one. Rain gloves and umbrellas are also good accessories to own. Carrying a rain hood can keep your grips dry for a long time; which you will need especially on a rainy day. Also, carrying more than one glove, no matter the type, is very smart.
Winter Golf Attire
Winter Golf Shoes
If you hate slipping on the winter grounds (or any ground for that matter), keep the soles of your show clean. Accumulated ice, dirt, mud and grass cause the sole to lose the grip of the ground. Having waterproof golf shoes is a good deal. You can find spiked or spikeless shoes in white, blue, green or yellow.
See: Best Golf Shoes
Winter Socks
Wear two socks if possible and if your shoe allows enough room for two-socks’ thickness. If your socks are thick enough, only one pair would do.
Read: Can you play Golf in Snow?
Winter Golf Clothes
Winter Golf Pants
For pants, you can have Long Johns under some slacks or wear rain pants over your golf pants. You’ll find insulated or waterproof pieces made of nylon or polyester or a combination of both.
Winter Golf Hats
Buying beanies are a good idea to keep the head warm. But buying a snood is another great option. That way, you can keep your neck warm and stop the cold air from getting in. You can wear your woolly hats during the first few holes or leave it on till the end of the game, your call.
Winter Golf Jacket
Nothing is worse than wearing a polo on the golf court when it is a downpour, except wearing a raincoat when it is nail-bitingly chilly out there. That is why you have to be prepared for what may be. When you are stiff due to cold, you can’t swing it all. You may have muscle injury if you are not warm enough. So, you have to learn how to layer your clothes. Under your polo, you can wear close-fitting thermal wear. Your clothing should never be loose, no matter if it is a vest, windbreaker, pullover or raincoat
Winter Golf Mittens
Keeping your hands warm is a must if you don’t want the numbness to nullify your chances of getting a grip, let alone do a swing. Invest in quality mittens and hand warmers to avoid that feeling.
Winter Golf Destinations
A little snow or more shouldn’t hurt your intentions to enjoy the winter golf holidays. Scottsdale, Tucson of Arizona, Coachella Valley of California, Naples, Orlando and Miami Beach of Florida, Northern California, etc. are excellent golf destinations if you want to visit.
Read:
- How to plan a Golf Trip
- Golfing & Fishing in Jacksonville
- Golfing in Oahu North Shore in this winter
Final Words…
Playing golf in the winter can be so much fun if you know the rules, what attire to own, where to go and more. We hope you liked this detailed discussion of ours.
If you can bear in mind the rules, tips, and tricks then you can remember to be safe while having fun. But remember, no amount of tips can cover what practice can. Playing in other times of the year isn’t the same as playing in winter, but it is the best season to explore golf in its truest form.
See also:
- Best Golf Travel Bags
- Best Golf Sunglasses
- Best Gift For Golfers
- How Caffeine Affects Your Golf Game
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Daisy is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Golfs Hub. She is associated with Golf for more than 20 years. She got the inspiration from her father. She is a very private person & doesn't like to be photographed. She's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Now she is enjoying her retirement from day job... but not from Golf! Daisy lives in southeasternmost part of New York state with her family.
