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The post How cold is too cold to play golf? 4 golfers have their say appeared first on Golf.

For half the country, the winter is upon us, which means golfers in these areas are once again confronted with an important question: How cold is too cold to play golf? It’s a question that pits a golfer’s love of the game against their disdain for being uncomfortably cold, and it’s a source of endless debate, too. Each golfers’ threshold is different.

The other day, I was wondering where on the hardcore-fairweather golfer spectrum I fell. The last round I played in the Northeast, where I live, was on November 18th, during an unseasonably warm 60 degree day, and haven’t touched the clubs since. I’d be tempted if a sunny day over about 50 degrees popped up, but it hasn’t, so I haven’t, which I suspect puts me on the fairweather end of the spectrum.

But again, I wasn’t sure, so I took a quick sample of GOLF.com staffers in various northern areas of the country to get their take

Josh Berhow, Minnesota

I feel like I’m more lenient on this topic than most people since I’ve spent my entire life in the north. Our season is very limited. That means we are getting out as much as we can as long as there’s no snow on the ground, and have no problem wearing warm layers and stocking hats in the early spring/late fall. So, how cold is too cold? Well, last Friday I walked 18 holes in glorious 42-degree sunshine. Twenty hours later it snowed. December golf in Minnesota! What a world.

Dylan Dethier, Washington

Pure temperature? There’s almost no lower limit. I’d say about 30 degrees. But that’s on a mild day. If there’s wind or rain that number creeps higher very fast.

Tim Reilly, New York

I’m a fair-weather golfer. If there’s a strong chance of rain in the forecast, there’s a strong chance I’m not showing up. When it comes to the cold, I’m not too much different. Look, if we’re talking about a Top 100 Course, I’ll toss on the long johns and buckle up my G-Tech heated pouch around my waist. I won’t let the cold stop me from an opportunity I might not get again. But if it’s a high of 40 and the tee time is at my local muni? I’ll see you in the Spring.

Zephyr Melton, New York

As long as the wind chill doesn’t dip into the 30s, I’m game to play through the winter. Throw on the proper clothing (and make sure you walk, not ride) and it’s no issue for me. I’m not willing to stow away the clubs for months at a time, so I’ll put up with harsh conditions if it means getting some hacks in. I might be from Texas, but I’m not quite the fair-weather diva that Tim is.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2022? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf.

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The post How to play golf in the cold: 8 tips for conquering winter golf appeared first on Golf.

The post How to play golf in the cold: 8 tips for conquering winter golf appeared first on Golf.

With temps dropping, daylight waning, and Christmas trees being erected, it can mean only one thing — winter is coming. For some, that might mean the clubs are being stored away in the back of the closet until spring, but for others, it’s the beginning of a whole new season: winter golf.

When I moved to the Northeast from temperate Texas and its temperate winters, this was a new concept for me. Playing golf year-round is customary in the South, but north of the Mason-Dixon line, that proposition becomes a bit tricky. But after a couple years up North, I’ve learned that winter golf is possible up here, it just requires a different approach.

Now, I’m by no means an expert on winter golf, but as a stubborn Texas expat who refuses to recognize golf’s offseason, I have learned some tricks for playing through the winter. Here are my eight best tips.

1. Layer up

Don’t wear a bulky coat out to the course. Instead, insulate your body heat with a series of layers. A vest is one of my favorite layering pieces as it keeps my body warm without restricting my swing. Hoodies are perfect for this, too.

2. Hoof it

I walk about 90 percent of the time I play, but in the winter it’s critical. Walking is an easy way to keep you warm between shots, plus you get your steps in for the day.

3. Warm your hands

Feel is a crucial part of golf, and it all starts in your hands, so you’ve got to keep them warm in the winter. Pack a pair of mittens to wear between shots or slip some hand warmers in your pockets. Whatever your preference, just remember to keep the blood flowing through your extremities.

4. Pack a hat

Make sure to keep your head warm, too. Throw a knit cap in your bag and pull it out when the weather gets really bad. It’s about function over fashion during the winter.

5. Club up

The ball will not travel as far during the winter, so don’t be afraid to swallow your pride and club up. If you try to hit the same shots you’d hit during the middle of the summer, you’re in for a long day. Winter golf is a different game, and you should treat it as such.

6. Tee it forward

Don’t be afraid to move up a tee box (or two). Playing the same tee box that you would during the summer is only going to make things more difficult. If you want to make birdies during the winter, you’re going to need to play a shorter course.

7. Mix it up

Winter golf is a great opportunity to hone your shotmaking ability. The conditions will be tough, so your stock driving-range shots aren’t likely to be effective. Get creative with your shots as you battle the elements. Come spring, your game will be much more well-rounded.

8. Don’t worry about your score

Because of USGA handicap rules, posting scores during the winter months isn’t legal, so you won’t have to worry about a bad round hurting your index. Playing during the winter is about getting in reps and keeping your swing loose, not for posting a personal best.

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The post If you live in the north, your winter scores don’t count towards your handicap appeared first on Golf.

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Rules Schools examines how the USGA deems acceptable scores only during a courses active season.

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The post Rules School: Can you post scores in the winter? appeared first on Golf.

Rules School examines when a player can either post a golf score or may not be able to during the winter.

The post Rules School: Can you post scores in the winter? appeared first on Golf.

The post How to win at winter golf: 7 keys to mastering playing in the cold appeared first on Golf.

The post How to win at winter golf: 7 keys to mastering playing in the cold appeared first on Golf.

We interrupt our coverage of this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii with some chilling news: It’s the dead of winter, people! Across large swaths of the mainland, hordes of us are dealing with dreary weather and subpar course conditions, if our local courses are open at all. Not that we’re complaining. Winter golf is still golf, which means it can be great. It just requires a bit of savvy and some thoughtful preparation. Here are 7 keys to playing through the cold and ice and snow.

Walk, don’t ride

If you really want to feel the wind-chill factor, hop onto a golf cart and whip around the course. If, on the other hand, you’d rather play 18 without contracting frostbite, it’s pretty simple: you ought to hoof it. It keeps the movement going and the blood flowing, your body warmed by the beating of your heart.

Layer up

Don’t make like a mummy or the Michelin Man. But do try to think in terms of light, warm layers, clothes that keep the chill off without restricting your silky swing. Thermal underwear is wise. Ditto sweater vests and long-sleeve shirts. Have you heard of those golf jackets with battery-powered heaters? Yep. They make them. It’s not a bad idea to stash one in your bag.

Rain gloves and hand warmers

Of all the parts of your body you’ll want to keep warm, your hands are probably the most important. Lose the feeling in them, and you’ll never find your swing.

Waterproof shoes, moisture-wicking socks

Just because the ground is frozen when you step to the first tee doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way throughout the day. Before long, the turf your trodding on will be cold and soggy, which is not a combination you want for your feet.

Gear

Where to store your clubs this winter (and one place they should never go)

By: Jonathan Wall

A proper lid

Remember how your parents used to tell you that half your body heat is lost through your head? Apparently, that’s bunk, at least according to a study by the British Medical Journal, which found that the heat-loss number is more like 7 to 10 percent. But why give away even that modest amount? Ditch the standard golf hat and wear a woolen beanie. It’s a smarter choice. 100 percent.

Play winter rules

By that we don’t just mean lift, clean and place. We mean free drops when balls go missing under leaves or vanish in the slush and snow. Go easy on yourself. The conditions you’re up against are hard enough.

Post your score, or don’t

If you’re going by the strict letter of the law, you might not be able to post your score for handicap purposes. It depends on the region of the country where you play. As GOLF.com’s Luke Kerr Dineen explained in this recent piece, certain state golf associations (the organizations that oversee handicaps) abide by an offseason, a blackout period during which you’re not allowed to post. The idea behind this is high-minded. It’s to guard against sandbagging: if, after all, you’re playing in sloppy winter conditions, you might shoot a poor score that is not a fair reflection of your skill. We understand that reasoning. But we also recognize that this is winter, and we don’t want to be killjoys. If you play a round and really want to post your score, you could get around the blackout by backdating the day played. We promise not to judge you. And we promise not to tell.

Winter is a great time to upgrade your set. Schedule a fitting with the experts at our sister company, True Spec Golf.

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The post The Etiquetteist: How to win at winter golf appeared first on Golf.

The post The Etiquetteist: How to win at winter golf appeared first on Golf.

Winter golf is still golf, which means it can be great. It just requires a bit of savvy and some thoughtful preparation.

The post The Etiquetteist: How to win at winter golf appeared first on Golf.