Many golfers call it a day when the sun sets early, and the grass gets a touch of frost. However, little do they know (perhaps) playing golf in winter can be the most enjoyable of all the seasons.
The fresh, clear winter mornings, quieter courses and fabulous deals can really make it feel like you’ve hit the jackpot.
That aside, if you’re keen on improving your golf game, giving up completely during winter is not the way to go about it—you really don’t want to lose your momentum.
To ensure you hit the ground running when the new season starts, check out our 9 top tips for keeping your game up to scratch when playing golf in winter.
Keep playing
Yes, it might sound obvious, but keeping up the momentum is vital at this time of year. Everything else aside, you’ll improve your skill by testing yourself when playing conditions are at their most trying.
You’ll learn to perfect a wide range of shots when you’re braving the elements, whether it’s the low punch into the January wind or the runner that scampers across a frozen fairway to find an icy winter green.
After all, these shots will stand you in good stead when the milder weather returns. While you’re here, reading Bernard Gallacher’s top tips for playing golf in the rain might also be useful.
Wear the right winter golf clothes
Playing your best golf requires feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing. Here are some of the most essential garments to help you brave the adverse weather and keep your winter golf game the best it can be.
- Wet weather gloves – keeping your hands warm and dry is essential when playing golf in winter. These gloves are a great purchase because the wetter they get, the firmer the grip, making holding your clubs a lot easier
- Efficient base layer – wearing layers upon layers is likely to limit your movement, particularly your swing. But at the same time, you don’t want your body to stiffen up in the cold. That’s why a thin base layer is the way forward
- Thermal socks – wearing more than one pair of socks, or a thick pair of winter socks, is likely to make all the difference to your body temperature
Related: What to wear to golf in cold weather
Have the correct equipment
Playing golf in winter comes with unpredictability, so having the necessary equipment to tackle a range of climates—from wind and rain to frost—is essential.
Here are a few things that will make your golf more enjoyable this winter…
- Purchase some winter wheels – winter wheels pick up less mud, making them easier to move, and they’ll also cause less damage to the ground. However, ditch the golf buggy and carry your bag instead if you can. The course will thank you for it, and you’ll be a lot warmer
- Use a high-vis yellow ball – they’re a lot easier to spot on icy courses
- Add loft to your driver – your ball simply won’t roll as much when the ground is boggy and soft. Adding loft to your driver will add more carry and distance
- Umbrella – come rain, sleet or snow, a good-sized umbrella will ensure you stay dry and protect your bag when you’re taking a shot
Keep your golf balls warm
Sounds daft, right? However, it’s believed that for every ten degrees the temperature drops, a golf ball will carry two yards shorter. If this is indeed the case, you’ll want to keep your golf balls toasty on the course. Keep them in your pocket as much as possible, and even throw a hand warmer in there for extra measure.
Having said that, the construction of certain balls makes them ideal for cold weather. Check out this article to find out which golf balls hold up best in winter and why.
Make the most of the driving range
We’re all guilty of making excuses for not going outside much in the cold winter months. It’s definitely easier to head down to a covered (and sometimes heated) driving range for your golf, too.
Visit the driving range as often as possible during winter and work out a practice routine that works for you—don’t just bludgeon balls wildly without an objective in mind. Pick a flag or other spot to aim at and work your way through the clubs, hitting different types of shots.
Related: 7 driving range tips to improve shot consistency
Take lessons
Whether at the driving range, down at your club’s practice area, or on a deserted winter course (AKA the dream), a series of lessons throughout the off-season could make all the difference to your golfing fortunes come spring.
Winter is the perfect time to make changes to your game—you don’t want to make major alterations when competitions are just around the corner.
If you’re unsure where to turn, a simple Google search like “golf lessons near me” will do the trick.
Use a golf simulator
Golf simulators are a great way to help your game if you prefer practising indoors when it’s cold out. Although indoor simulators aren’t great for putting, they’re fantastic for driving and iron shots.
Related: The top 7 golf simulators on the market
Buy a net
If you have enough space, it might also be an option to buy your own golf net so you can practise in the comfort of your own home.
Some of the best nets on the market include The Net Return Golf Practice Net, which automatically returns the ball to you, and the IZZO Golf Tri-Daddy Golf Hitting Net—check them out!
Read and watch
It’s amazing how much you can learn about golf without actually swinging a club or hitting a ball. Winter and the Christmas holidays, in particular, are a perfect time to swot up, and many instructional books might strike a chord or spark a thought that could change your game.
Why not add one to your Christmas list?
If not, re-watching golf tournaments and YouTube videos are also good ways of picking up on bits and bobs during the off-season.
