With the sunlit fairways of the Marco Simone now behind us, you may feel like it’s time to pack up your golf clubs for the Winter.
While warm, sunny weather is the obvious condition choice for countless golfers, that isn’t to say you can’t enjoy the game when the colder seasons come around.
Many players choose not to play during the Winter months because they don’t want to deal with lower temperatures and drizzly or icy conditions.
But this means players limit themselves to only playing golf for three-quarters of the year, with a full three months off-limits.
But by adapting your mindset, timing and wardrobe to meet the demands of the cooler months, you could open yourself up to plenty of practice to lower your handicap.
Here’s why you should still play golf in the winter
Quieter courses
Because so many players only prefer playing in warmer, dryer conditions, countless golf
courses are infinitely quieter during the winter months, making it much easier to step onto
the tee without feeling rushed or struggling to get a spot in the first place.
This is ideal if you worry about holding up other players, or simply don’t want the added
pressure of other players being around you when making your shot – hitting a good shot is
hard enough without extra pairs of eyes.
So if you want to enjoy a more relaxed, open and stress-free game, playing golf in winter
could be the answer you’ve been looking for.
Refreshing mornings
If you know someone who is an early-morning runner or jogger, and that person enjoys
heading out on chilly winter mornings, they may have let you in on their secret that
embracing the cold in the morning is a great way to start the day…which is why it makes all the sense in the world to get out on the course early in the winter.
The cold can work wonders in waking us up and sharpening our focus – two things we need
if we want to perform to our best both on and off the course.
But the cold is also said to have plenty of health benefits, too. Everything from our mental
health to our bodies’ ability to burn fat effectively can be boosted as a result of cold exposure early in the morning.
So if you’re planning on golfing in the winter, head down to the course early if you want to
enjoy a refreshing, invigorating game.
Greater yardage and bounce in your shots
The frozen ground might not make it easy to dig troughs, but for golfers, it presents a
surprising advantage.
In average conditions, golf balls still experience a decent level of bounce, depending on the
type of grass they bounce on. But, in wintery conditions where the ground is close to frozen
solid, you can expect your ball to bounce considerably further, adding a few precious extra
yards to your shot.
You’ll also receive a decent amount of bounce on the greens too, as they will be much firmer than usual. This is perfect for those larger greens and longer chips where a couple of extra yards can come in handy when trying to reach the hole, leaving yourself with the shortest putt possible.
Just don’t expect those shots to work brilliantly on frozen greens, though. If there’s a thin layer of frost or dew, it could slow your ball down as it rolls.
Cheaper course fees
With all the golf clubs, golf balls, accessories and other equipment you need, golf can be an
expensive sport at the best of times. However, if you’re looking to save a few pennies on
your next round, you could cut costs by playing more in the winter.
Many golf courses offer reduced green fees during the winter months to entice players to
keep up with their games when the temperatures drop. It might not be a huge long-term
saving, but if you want to get value for money, consider squeezing in as many games as
possible once the cold sets in, especially if your local course is kind enough to offer
discounts.
Surprisingly good scores
Remember those frozen and slightly damp greens we talked about earlier? They’re not as
bad as they sound. They could be the key to lowering your score if you struggle to sink long putts.
Golfers spend more time on the green than they do on any other part of the course. Too
powerful putts are a notorious reason why so many golfers always drop shots on the green,
with so little left to do.
They strike the ball and, if it’s not perfectly on target, it rolls way past the hole, leaving the
player with another monster putt.
But slightly frosty or damp greens can help with this. The frost or dew can cling to your ball
as it rolls, slowing it down significantly. This means if you tend to give your putts too much
force, you can expect a few yards to be taken off your putt attempt, perhaps landing your ball closer to the hole for an easy knock-in.
Grab all the gear you need for winter golf before you play
Playing golf in winter is very different from playing in summer and you will need to pick up a few things to make sure you can make the most of your game. This includes things like
winter golf clothing – like jumpers and hats – which can help you remain comfortable and
retain heat in a real chill.
Pretty soon, you’ll be enjoying your winter golf games just as much as your summer rounds.
