Eskimo Opens, penguin shoot-outs, snowshoe scrambles and arctic outings. When will it end?
Hopefully, never.
Call us crazy, nutty, brain-dead, dim-witted, or just plain ridiculous. We don’t care. We are winter golfers and damn proud of it.
Years ago, when Chicagoland Golf first started publicizing 12-month play, people would ask us if we’re nuts. Sure, we replied, but better to get some exercise, moving around a golf course in three hours, than to sit still on our fannies for five hours in cold Soldier Field watching the Bears play.
That, they said, made sense.
But, if playing golf in the cold isn’t your hot cup o’ tea, take your swing to one of the many heated driving ranges or golf domes. That way you can avoid having to start from scratch in the spring. If you’re taking a winter vacation in a warm climate and plan to play golf, putting in time at a dome is almost mandatory.
If you do decide to brave the elements and head out, there are a few tricks to playing winter golf and not turning into a Popsicle.
Let us say up front whatever clothing items you can find made with GoreTex are highly recommended.
The first thing is to stay warm to fend off the common cold and frostbite in extreme weather. An absolute winter essential is a stocking cap. Eighty percent of your body heat can escape from your neck and head. Ski masks are acceptable, if not a necessity. Open-top visors are OUT. We prefer a large stocking cap worn over a golf cap with visor, so we can pull the stocking cap down over our ears, if need arises.
Yes, some players find difficulty in swinging at a ball while looking out of a ski mask, which tends to partially block peripheral vision. You’ll have to experiment to find out if you can.
Keeping your hands warm is instrumental to your swing. Cart gloves – specially-designed golf mittens made to slip on over regular golf gloves – will keep your hands toasty warm between shots. You can buy these at your local pro shop.
You can also get chemical-action hand warmers-in-a-bag at any hunting and fishing shop, and golf shops, too. These are a must, and they’re pretty cheap, to boot.
Buy a pair of the winter-style knit golf gloves, and wear both of them. They’ll keep your hands warm and still allow you to grip the club with some degree of feel when you swing.
NOTE: Needless to say, fashion should not be a concern when playing golf in the winter. Most attire requirements at golf courses do not apply after fall. That means jeans are usually okay.
But you can only wear so many layers before your swing is compromised. A common problem when wearing a lot of layers is that it makes it very easy to come off of your swing, causing everything to go right. Winter should be a time to work on your golf game, not create bad habits.
The best way to counter this is to wear thin layers. Start with thermal underwear, a turtleneck, then a fleece sweatshirt, the final layer should include a windshirt or a down-vest. Stay away from bulky sweaters, and over-stuffed jackets while you swing.
Fleece is the key to layering. Make sure that it fits snug, but that is moves with you so as not to inhibit your full swing. Fleece allows the body to breathe while trapping in the warmth.
If layers are a problem, you can wear a heavy parka, shedding it and your cart gloves when it’s your turn to play. It’s also wise to wear darkcolored clothing, as white or light colors reflect the sun. Darker colors absorb sunlight and will warm you. It is an easy solution to stay warm in the golf cart and keep your swing intact.
Moving on to the legs: the rain pants that are always in the golf bag but never really used during the season are finally going to be worth the cost. They act as a great wind breaker over your jeans, khakis, or insulated athletic pants.
Keeping your feet warm and dry is also a major concern when playing an outdoor sport in the winter. Today’s golf shoes with GoreTex or any other waterproof membranes should keep your tootsies warm – and dry. So will insulated hunting boots when the snow depth calls for it.
Insulated stockings are also a big help, and many winter golfers wear heated hunting socks — a simple battery is needed to keep your feet toasty warm, but just make sure you take along extra batteries. Keep them in your pocket, as a warm battery produces more juice. Chemical-action toe warmers are also a good idea – they slip under your toes and cling to your socks with adhesive. They’re wonderful.
Most local golf shops will carry the basic winter weather gear. If you want the most advanced clothing materials, then ski shops and hunting stores are the best bet.
Most rounds in the winter can be completed in 3 hours, while skiers and hunters are usually outdoors for an entire day. The clothing technology that is used in their gear seems to be the most advanced.
Brightly-colored (day-glo) golf balls will be a huge help, especially if there are any patches of snow on the ground. Some golf shops sell blue golf balls, which will allow you to proudly display the bumper sticker that says: “Winter Golfers Play With Blue Balls.”
You might also want to wear sunglasses if there is new snow and the sun is bright. Wrap-arounds are best on windy days.
Try playing 60-compression (or lower) balls. They tend to feel less “rock-like” in cold weather.
Think about removing a few long irons from your carry bag. You probably won’t need them, and slight mis-hits with long irons can really sting the fingers. And when snow is present, put your bags (and Thermos) and extra clothing on a sled.
And best of all: remember to play winter rules. After all, many of us employ them during recreational rounds year ‘round, so grab the benefits when they’re in play. – Phil Kosin
