Those long mornings, afternoons and evenings on the golf course are over and the cold, dark days have arrived. From freshly cut, healthy green fairways to an array of divots and mud, golf in the winter is a test for any golfer.
More time is spent on the driving range than the golf course and the search for last year’s mittens has begun. Here are the problems golfers can expect to face this winter.
Slippery grips
They say not to hold your clubs too tightly but when the skies have opened and the grips are drenched, they have a habit of getting out of hand. Literally.
Temporary greens and tees
To keep the greens and tees in good condition during the winter frost, some courses mark temporary greens on the middle of the fairway and lay down mats on the tees. Getting your tee into the mat is the first challenge, but managing to avoid a three-putt on a divot-ridden temporary green is a different kettle of fish. [frame_center src=”https://www.yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Temp-green-1.jpg” width=”600″ height=”400″]Temporary Green. (Pic: http://concordccturf.blogspot.co.uk/[/frame_center]
Water hazards/ sudden downpours
You’ve just managed to dry out after being caught in a light rain shower after the first few holes, but golf is a patient prankster so be prepared to get caught in an unexpected downpour at the point furthest away from the clubhouse. You’ll end up getting soaked. A bit like this guy, just from above not below.
Misery in the long grass
If by some miracle you’ve escaped the torrential downpour, don’t be too pleased with yourself – the inevitable trawl through the wet long grass awaits. Searching for a missing ball is all very well in the summer when the sun’s shining, but when hacking your way through the wet grass that’s getting all up inside your trouser legs, just to get to the woods where you’re greeted with a torrent of water down the neck from a lurking fern, this particular side game becomes a lot less fun.
[frame_center src=”https://www.yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/10239719-1.jpg” width=”600″ height=”380″]Even Luke Donald gets stuck in the long stuff (Pic: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe[/frame_center]
Plugged golf balls
You’ve found the fairway with your drive but your second shot comes down with snow on it and it lands in the greenside bunker for two. In your head you plan your bunker escape but look, your balled is plugged an inch under the sodden sand. A lot of this sort of thing ensues.
[frame_center src=”https://www.yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bunkershot.jpeg” width=”600″ height=”400″]Plugged golf ball. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)[/frame_center]
Purple hands
Unless you want to mess around putting your mittens on, taking them off and putting them on again after every shot you take, you’ll soon be playing without any feeling in your fingers. You’ll have no idea if you’re actually gripping the club and by the 18th hole the scorecard will be an ineligible mess. Which is probably for the best.
[frame_center src=”https://www.yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/snow_golf_course-copy.jpg” width=”600″ height=”400″]Should have used the orange ball. (Pic: e.wikipedia.org)[/frame_center]Share your winter golf experiences with us in the comments below, we’ll add the best of them. And why not escape this winter and book a holiday where you can enjoy some of the best golf courses in the world in the sun?
