As we head towards November in northern Europe and America, the temperature begins to drop. The first frost of the winter arrives and for some it can be a time to pack away the golf clubs until next spring.
However, there is no reason to stop playing golf when the weather gets colder and you can still enjoy a great round at you local course by using the tips below.
The first and perhaps most important thing you must have in place when playing golf in the cold is the correct clothing. If you dress warm its great but you cannot play golf in bulky overcoats and woollen gloves.
Invest in a pair of leggings which can be worn under your golf trousers. These will keep your legs warm throughout the round but will not interfere with your body when playing shots. A skin tight layer on the upper-body is also a must and there are many top brands available which manufacture these especially for cold conditions.
A golf sweater, thick socks, hand warmers to slip on between shots and a beanie hat, which will stop heat escaping from your head are also important. Make sure you buy a hat which is not going to irritate the skin on your head as you will be wearing it for the entire round.
Never leave your golf clubs in the car after a round, however often you play during winter. In the summer you can get away with it as the temperature does not drop. However, if you leave your clubs in the car when its freezing over night they will be so cold when you take them out that playing with them will become a chore.
Playing certain shots during a round of golf in the cold can be tough. You will lose the feeling towards the end of your fingers and toes at some stage when playing in the cold and this means a loss of touch when playing delicate shots.
We are talking about some shots around the green, with the flop shot being a good example plus greenside bunkers. No one wants to be in a bunker, regardless of the conditions but you should change your strategy in the cold to try and take as many bunkers out of the game as possible.
Aside from the shots around the green, you do not want to be hitting the ball very hard when playing golf in the cold. If you are between clubs, taking the shortest one and hitting the ball as hard as possible is a mistake as your muscles are not as loose as they are in warm conditions.
Finally, do not expect to hit your lowest score when playing golf in the cold. Step onto the course with realistic expectations and do not get frustrated when some shots become more difficult due to the conditions. Playing in the cold is not easy but if you are realistic about what you can achieve, you will have an enjoyable round.
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