Dealing with Cold Weather

Depending on where you live and play golf, you might have to deal with difficult weather conditions from time to time. Or, maybe you live in a place where difficult weather is the norm, and nearly every round you play requires that you deal with some sort of natural challenge. Whatever the case, there is a close connection between weather and the vibration that you feel coming up through the shaft of the club.

First, we should make it clear that the vibration itself is not necessarily impacted by weather. When you strike the ball thin, your club is going to vibrate regardless of the weather conditions. However, when the weather is warm, that vibration will not be nearly as painful as when the weather is cold. It is on those cold days – or just even during those cold mornings before the sun can warm the air – that you need to be particularly concerned about painful thin shots.

Of course, you can’t do anything about the weather conditions around you. If you are going to play golf, you are going to have to deal with adverse weather from time to time. Should you simply decide to cancel all of your tee times when the weather is chilly, you might not get to play very often at all. So what can you do to neutralize the effects of weather on your game, and reduce the painful stinging you feel after a poor shot? Check out these tips for help.

• Dress in layers. You need to dress warmly when you head out for a cold round of golf – that much is obvious. But how do you achieve that warmth? Do you just wear one big coat, is if you were going out for a day in the snow? Hopefully not.
• The problem with wearing a big coat on the golf course is that it is going to limit your mobility and flexibility. It will be difficult to execute your swing properly, and you will probably miss-hit more shots as a result. And, of course, more miss-hit shots on cold days means more opportunities for vibration to come up through your hands. The better option is to dress in layers.
• By wearing multiple thin layers rather than one or two thick layers, you should be able to achieve a comfortable body temperature without preventing yourself from making a good golf swing. As an added advantage, you will be able to take off or add layers throughout the day as necessary, making it easy to stay comfortable. Pick up a few golf-specific pieces of clothing that you can layer in cold weather and your performance should improve right away on those chilly days.
• Walk, if possible. As long as you are in the appropriate physical condition to do so, walk the course rather than riding in a cart when the temperatures are on the cool side. It is simply difficult to keep your body warm enough to make good golf swings when you ride down the fairway to your ball on each hole.
• The act of walking the course will help to keep your muscles warm, and you will probably play better as a result. Not only that, but feeling the cold breeze rush into the cart as you drive along is never an enjoyable experience. Unless you have a medical reason to need to ride in a cart, consider walking the course to play better and enjoy your day that much more.
• Hand warmers. One of the handy tools you can have on your side for a cold day on the course is a hand warmer. Simply by placing one of these disposable items in your pocket, you can have a ready-made source of heat available anytime you need it. These are often sold in pro shops in cold weather climates, and you can obviously order them online as well. They are inexpensive, compact, and a great way to warm up your hands before hitting a golf shot.

You aren’t going to be able to change the weather forecast prior to your next round of golf, but you can at least prepare yourself to play as well as possible – and to be as comfortable as possible, as well. With the right plan and the right gear, a round of golf on a cold day can still be a rewarding experience.