How to ensure your winter golf game thrives

Winter golf does require a slightly different approach, so here’s our tips on how to ensure your game still thrives during the colder months.

 

Ditch the buggy

When you’re playing during the summer, using a buggy can help keep the sweat off and provide you with some welcome shade. For winter golf, it’s time to ditch the buggy and get walking to help keep you warm between shots.

 

Increase the club

If you’re wondering why your shots seem to come up short when playing winter golf, it’s because cold air is more dense than warm air, so the ball will not travel as far – you’ll be losing about 10 yards. You have two choices, either accept that you’ll be playing more shots during the colder months, or simply club up.

 

Layers not bulk

Whilst a nice thick woolly jumper will keep you warm, it will affect your swing. Keep warm with a series of thin layers as each layer will help to insulate your body without restricting your movement.

 

Forget about scoring

With the conditions not in your favour, forget about working hard to break 80 or 70 and change your focus. Tackle other parts of your game, such as improving your short game or hitting your driver straight 90% of the time. If you can perfect these parts of your game during the winter months, you’ll see improvements during the spring, which will then help you to lower your score.

 

Warm hands

Maintaining your feel for the club is vital, so keep your hands warm during a game of winter golf. A pair of mittens or pocket hand warmers are ideal to use between shots.

 

Get to know the winter rules

During a game of winter golf, your ball may end up in a muddy lie, so winter rules – or preferred lies – allow you to move your ball to a lie you may expect during the rest of the year. Generally, you will be permitted to pick-up, clean and place your ball within six inches of where it came to rest – this can differ and may be one club length at some courses. Every golf club may have slightly different rules for the winter, so get to know them before heading out onto the course.

 

Whilst Little Hay Golf Complex is open all year round, there may be times during the winter months when we have to close the course due to waterlogged greens. During these times, the clubhouse remains open so you can still socialise with friends – and we have been known to hold putting competitions across the carpet in the bar area!

 

We welcome golfers of all abilities for a game of winter golf - either book a tee time online or get in touch with us.