Cold Weather Tips?

[Chris Buie]

Alright lads, this is extemporaneous rather than a considered thing.  I'll be teeing off in sub-50 weather today and am wondering if any of you can offer any insight into making the round more enjoyable.
Ordinarily I wouldn't be heading out to play, but due to uncommonly frigid temps in the area I have not played for two weeks.  I have to get out there today so feel free to chime in if you have any coldish weather golf tips.  I'm mainly inquiring about staying warm while still being able to swing and all that.
Since this is a topic we all encounter I suppose it is worthy of a thread - maybe we can learn something useful and worthwhile.

[Cory Lewis]

My wife tells me that layering is the most important thing in cold weather.  Find some leg warmers or leggins to put on your legs under you pants.  Wear under armour or something similar that stays close to your body.  My wife's first layer is mostly stuff she wears when she goes cross country skiing

[Tim Martin]

Chris-Keep your balls warm.

[Chris Buie]

Thanks Cory.  Under armour does seem to be the thing to get.  
I'll offer a couple of tips of my own.  I always wear a "wife beater" t-shirt under everything because there is zero restriction with the swing.  It definitely helps with warmth.  I bring my shoes out of the trunk and into the house for a while as well so I don't feel like I'm walking on ice blocks.
Tim, that is always a priority.  I'll have to go into the details of that on a different forum though.  

[A.G._Crockett]

You can be comfortable all the way down to temps where they close the golf course if you do the following. 

1. Walk, don't ride. 
2. Cover your head with either a lined or fleece ski cap.
3. Two layer of Under Armour, with one a turtleneck.
4. Third layer on top layer that wind protection of some sort.
5. Flannel-lined khaki pants.
6. Thermal hunting socks.
7. Winter golf gloves on both hands OR use Hot Hands packets and have a cart mitt to put on your right hand.

Under Armour is as good as the hype, BTW.  They just make great, great cold weather gear for golf.

[Tim Martin]

Chris-I`m heading out for an 11:00 blast off at Shenecossett in Groton Connecticut. I heard my wife mumbling to one of her friends on the phone in hushed tones about last nights snow, having him committed and shortly thereafter my name. If I don`t post again in the next three days I am giving you power of attorney to try and locate me and then have me released from whatever nut farm she has placed me in. I won`t go without a fight as I will be armed with a bag full of clubs. Thanks.

[Ken Fry]

Chris,

What I've found is head North for a couple weeks (I happen to be in the Upper Midwest) then return to your locale.  50 deg will feel balmy and there will be no need for layering!!   

Ken

[Mac Plumart]

AG...that is money!

Chris...here is a tip I learned during my wonderfully enjoyable time during Marine Corps cold weather training in the French Alps.  Whenever the temp gets warm (relatively) take off layers, especially if it will get colder again.  Your body will adapt to the temperature, so if you've got all your layers on (hat and gloves included) and your body gets used to 55 degrees then when the temp dips to 30 degrees and you've got no more layers to put on...you are screwed!!!

Practical application of that above tip is as follows...don't fully bundle up until you are actually on the course.  Don't wear all your layers on the car ride to the course.  Don't have all your layers on (hat, gloves, outer coat, etc) when you are in the clubhouse before the round or at the turn.  Strip down in warmer areas and only put all your gear on when you are actually in the cold weather.

Have fun!!

EDIT...and, oh yeah, like Tim said...keep your balls warm!!!     Cold balls will drastically affect your distance.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Chris, I find that if I keep my lower body and my head warm the rest is warm and I don't have to have as many clothes on up top.  This helps in keeping the upper half freer to turn.  I will wear slacks and rain pants and ski cap.  I don't generally wear winter gloves until it is in the 30's.

[Chris Buie]

Ken, you are right of course.  When I lived in Minneapolis I'd hit the links at 40 degrees and not think too much about it.  (I seem to recall the fairways at one place were blue grass by the way - never played on that before.)  It's curious because N.Y. was 15 degrees warmer than N.C. earlier this week.  We were grousing about that the other day.
Tim, we may have to find someone to retrieve both of us from the same facility for overly keen golfers.
Solid info all around guys.  Thanks.
 

[Ken Fry]

Chris,

In as much seriousness as cabin fever allows this time of year, I've found an Under Armour style, tighter fitting long sleeve shirt with a golf shirt over top provides a nice look, decent warmth and good freedom of movement.

I also agree it is hard to downplay the importance of climate controlled balls....

Ken

[Jud_T]

The keys are not too many layers, a ski cap and winter golf gloves.  Long John top and bottom, ski socks, and a sturdy fleece should do the trick...and although not scientifically sound, a flask...

[JeffTodd]

Under Armour is the real deal, as mentioned. I don't care for winter golf gloves, but instead just go with regular golf gloves on each hand. Walking is a must, and carrying is ideal, because you can put your hands in your pockets while you walk.

Be sure to have your bag and shoes indoors the day before you play. Nothing worse than forgetting the shoes are in the car and putting your feet inside freezing shoes.

Bring a center punch or some small but strong pick to help make a hole for your tee. If the ground is frozen you will not be able to get a tee in the ground.

Match play. Winter courses and conditions are no place to be worrying about a score. Match play can make even the worst of conditions fun.

At the end of the day, it's all about performance textiles, a hat, and walking. Layer up and walk and you'll be surprised how warm you are.

[Chris Buie]

I closely followed the advice given and was fine - even with it sleeting before tee off.  The weatherman was only, um, 10 degrees off and, oh yeah, got the precipitation wrong but I wasn't bothered  - except it would have been nice to have warmer hands.  I only had run of the mill gloves to wear between shots.
I'd never seen the Footjoy Wintersof gloves before.  One of our trio did have them and his hands stayed warm.  I tried them and they played well enough.  I'll be getting a pair of those for cold weather.  It will be nice not having to keep putting on and taking off the overgloves too. 
I love how boastful the weather people are on TV - continuously telling us how great they are.  Honestly. 

http://www.footjoy.com/catalog/productview.asp?c=46

[Pete_Pittock]

I add a ThermaCare heat belt to keep my lower back loose. Winter gloves. Sweater vest instead of a sweater helps the arms swing better. And a balaclava. No vuvuzela, but they're useful in an opponent's backswing.

[Jason Topp]

Head, neck and hands are the key for me.

A plain old ski hat.

A neck warmer.  I like them because you can adjust positions to make a big temperature difference

I  prefer winter golf gloves on both hands.  I find warm gloved hands have better touch than cold bare hands and I do not like fiddling around with giant mittens or other products on the market.

Light layers, cords and warm socks for the rest of the body

[Jud_T]

Another thing worth checking out are the flannel lined khakis from LL Bean. Saves a layer....

[Marty Bonnar]

Take some advice from an old weather-beaten Scotsman. There truly is only one way to beat the winter weather...















VACATION IN FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU'RE WELCOME,
FBD.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Stay home when below 50 or go to club and drink in bar.

[Travis Dewire]

Precept Lady!!!! Compress that baby in the cold!

[archie_struthers]

 

Walk walk walk no carts in the winter....stay in shape too

Ski hat and turtleneck a must for me, comfortable clothes wool or cotton can't swing with jackets or gortex ....like the big mittens with a throw away hand warmer inside to keep golf balls , which I switch every hole
only wear the winter glove when it is really unbearably cold

shoes and clubs in house the night before ......stay hydrated ,  walk no carts .....the ball will not go as far so hit extra club when needed...miss short in front of green when possible as it will be hard to play any flop shots or bunker shots off frozen turf or sand  

Lower your scoring expectations ....in our winter leagues we roll the ball everywhere , no change in condition ...ie rough to rough , makes for a lot more fun for everyone and makes up for rough conditions

[Dan Herrmann]

Easy - grow up in Buffalo, NY.  I don't get cold golfing till it's about 35. 

Tips
- wear a hat
- wear mittens between shots.  Throw in a handwarmer for good measure.
- keep dry
- use a "women's" golf ball
- take sunglasses for the low sun angle
- wear warm socks
- sneakers are great if the ground is frozen
- a friend and I will play in 45F weather wearing shorts (walking, of course).  Others think we're crazy - shorts and a ski cap. (maybe they're right!)

[Brian Marion]

Keep cotton away from your skin. It will absorb moisture and make you colder.

Any Under Armor type base layer will work. C9 at Target is pretty good as well.

If you really look hard, you may be able to find a brand called Medalist with Silvermax. Out of business now, they made a base layer, mid layer and outwear that had silver thread woven into the material. The silver helps regulate body temp.

[A.G._Crockett]

Last Sunday, I played here in GA with the temp at 40 and winds of 20 mph and up.

Today, the high in the afternoon was 31, and the wind chill was in the teens by about 2 p.m.  

Because I am only getting to play maybe once a week right now (I'm as HS basketball coach), and had been meaning to regrip my clubs, I stripped the grips off last night to make sure that I didn't do anything stupid this afternoon.  Like try to play golf...

Nice afternoon working on my clubs, watching football, and chasing my wife around.  Much easier to dress for those activities.

[Duncan Cheslett]

I'll be teeing off in sub-50 weather today and am wondering if any of you can offer any insight into making the round more enjoyable.

Is this Fahrenheit or some temperature scale I am not familiar with?  The temperature here in Manchester England was 23 degrees F at 7.30 yesterday morning and there was still a queue for the first tee at Reddish Vale.

It didn't even get light until 8.00!

Plenty of woolly hats and mitts were in evidence. 50 F is shirt sleeve weather round here!