Issue 01. South Wales Times. Page 15
Winter Golf
Just because Jack Frost is nipping at your nose,
toes and every other part of your body doesn't
mean you should put your clubs away for the
winter. You just have to be like a boy scout
...prepared.
You lose most of your body heat through your
hands and head. To stay warm you need to keep
them covered. A toasty ski cap and a really
good pair of mittens are a must. A pack of hand
warmers in your mittens to keep your hands warm
between shots is a good idea as well. To keep your
body warm try layering up with some of the new
lightweight warm weather gear. The new high-tech
gear is lighter in weight than the old long johns
and wool sweaters. The material is designed to
keep heat in and allow moisture out for maximum
comfort.
The golf ball - hmmm, white ball, white snow.
Well, you can guess this could cause a problem.
May I suggest you get some coloured ones. It will
make it easier to find. Due to the ball being cold,
your many layers of clothes and lack of footing
it is impossible to hit the ball as far as you do in
the summer so you will have to take more club.
Due to the elements, check your ego at the first
tee, realise shooting your summer score probably
isn't in the cards, and the goal for this day will be
to have fun. Enjoy the elements, the camaraderie
with your friends, and the sense of discovery that
you are doing something that very few will do.
Also winter golfers should carry a camera as you
never know what you are going to see that you
don’t in the summer. Stay hydrated even if the
temperature dips below 30, your body still needs
water. So please put liquids back in and stay away
from coffee and alcohol. Hot cocoa and water
will be better alternatives. But the cold climate
should not be an excuse for you to not enjoy this
great game. Winter golf is a different game from
the summer variety. First there are no lines and
slow play well doesn't exist when there is no one
on the course but you. The summer infestation of
mosquitoes is gone and that lake you have trouble
with in the summer is frozen. No, it's not exactly
the same game, nor is it the same expectations for
your mid Spring or Summer rounds. But if you
prepare correctly, it can be just as, if not more, fun
and exhilarating.