Some Golf Tips in Cold Weather

With my Floridian friends in mind, here are my tips for playing your best in the cold!

Tip #1 – Be realistic! Understand that the ball isn’t going to go as far or spin as much in the cold. You also have to be prepared for the fact that you can’t go out there with the same strategy as a normal day. Be prepared for a tough day and stay mentally tough.

Tip #2 – Keep your hands warm! This is the single most important tip for cold weather golf! Your hands are your only link to the club, and you need feel to play good golf. If your hands are frozen, you lose all your feel and your game will suffer, especially around the greens. Get yourself a nice pair of mittens and/or some hand warmers for your pockets. Wear the mitts whenever you aren’t hitting a shot, and take them off prior to hitting.

Tip #3 – Cover your head and ears! Some say that between 7 to 55 percent of your body heat can be lost through your head. Whatever the science is behind it, it’s smart to cover your head and ears with a wool hat or ear warmers. You’ll be more comfortable. Get yourself a nice ski tuque like mine, and at the very least it will be a great conversation piece!

Tip #4 – Play a softer ball. Golf balls don’t have compression ratings any more since wound balls went away, but some balls are softer and in cold weather you’ll want a ball that is easier to compress. A hard rock ball like a Top Flite XL will feel like a steel ball bearing on a cold day, so opt for a softer option, like the Srixon Soft Feel.

Tip #5 – Use more club! Check the ego at the pro shop bruiser, the ball doesn’t go as far in the cold. You might have to take one for the team and hit 2 more clubs on every approach shot, but at least you’ll be sure to get to the hole. Because the ball doesn’t go as far, also consider playing one tee up from your normal length. There’s nothing that will ruin a day faster than having to hit three wood into every par three and four.

Tip #6 – Channel your inner Scotsman and play the ground game. If it’s bitter cold outside, it’s likely the ground will be hard too. So use that to your advantage and play some run up shots and bump and runs. Forget the flop shot in the cold, as the ball won’t spin, the greens are harder and if you aren’t wearing mitts, your hands will feel like steel pliers on that lob wedge.