I grew up in Western New York, which was cold. Heading south to college at Furman University in South Carolina was an upgrade, but still not quite warm enough. Now that I live in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., I thought I’d finally found my happy place.
Turns out, I was wrong. The last few weeks proved me wrong. One morning recently, my car doors were frozen shut!
Still, golf doesn’t stop just because the temperature drops. If you’re playing when it feels too cold to even consider it, here are a few ways to succeed anyway.
1. Invest in the right gear
Playing in the cold is all about preparation, and having the right gear can make a huge difference. You still need to be able to swing and move athletically, so layering smartly matters.
Here’s my short list for surviving truly cold weather:
- Long underwear
- Gloves (rain gloves work great)
- Hand warmers
- Rain pants
- Heated vest
One of my favorite cold-weather pieces is a vest. I wore mine all over Scotland and it made a huge difference — keeping me warm while still allowing me to swing freely. Check it out below!
Women’s Vancouver Quilted Vest
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2. Plan on taking extra club
When it’s cold, the ball simply won’t go as far. Anticipate that and plan to take more club throughout the round. Cold weather often comes with wind, which only amplifies the effect.
Before you tee off, test this on the range. Laser a distance, hit the club you’d normally use for that number, and see where it lands. That quick check will give you a feel for how much carry and roll you’re losing.
3. Smaller swings, more club
In really cold conditions, it can be harder to move freely, which may limit your ability to make a full swing. That doesn’t have to be a disadvantage.
Consider taking more club and making a smaller, controlled swing. Think knockdown-style shots: adjusted setup, reduced motion, and cleaner contact. Smaller swings often lead to smaller misses — a big win when conditions aren’t perfect.
4. Greens may get faster
Cold, dry conditions can lead to faster, firmer greens. Pay attention to this, especially on approach shots where the ball may not stop as quickly.
Try landing the ball short and letting it release toward the target. On the greens, consciously shorten your backstroke — a smaller stroke helps control distance on slick surfaces. A good mental cue is simply aiming to leave putts slightly short and letting the speed of the green do the work.
