Winter Golf – Do You Love It or Hate It?

Post by golf journalist - Joshua Carr

It’s getting to that time of the year again where the temporary greens are being cut, tees are being moved forwards and the banking to your first tee is becoming a slippery, muddy death trap. But is winter golf really as bad as some people make out?

I have personally always enjoyed winter golf, once I’ve manage to convince myself that leaving my warm bed to play in sub zero temperatures is a good idea. And I suppose this is the main struggle for the majority of golfers. Countless times you’ll be watching the European or PGA Tour and see the pro’s playing in the glorious sunshine and heat and it gets you in the mood for a round. Until you look out of your window and it’s pouring down that is.

But once you look past the rainy days where the course is boggy, winter golf can be enjoyable. I have always enjoyed playing golf when it’s blue sky but the ground is covered in a thick frost meaning the ball seems to run endlessly.

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However, the thick frost does bring with it its own set of problems. It usually results in the dreaded winter green. Well, I say dreaded, but they do have their perks. If your temporary greens are anything like the ones at my course then they will have buckets for holes making it almost impossible to miss in dry conditions.

These holes become trickier when you come up against them in the frost. Having a read of the putt becomes a pointless task because you know it is just going to bounce and bobble off all the clumps of ice. These greens also seem to be 100 times smaller than any normal regulation green but then again, you can take the putter out from about 50 yards away.

Another positive of winter golf is that the course is shorter. Don’t get me wrong, of course I enjoy playing long courses but who doesn’t enjoy being able to drive a par 5 in the winter months? The shorter course usually results in you shooting lower scores, which ultimately makes you feel good.

Often, the worst part of winter golf in actually building up the guts to get to the course. Even once you have done that, getting to the course can prove a major task. With many golf courses situated down country lanes, the roads can become icy. However, if you love your golf enough this shouldn’t get in your way…

Another big problem is the amount of clothes you have to wear. Producing a reasonably decent golf swing while wearing four/five layers can often prove quite difficult. Thermals are a must, as are thick jumpers, woolly hats and thick gloves. With the course being boggy, it is usually a good idea to wear waterproof pants at all times.

The worst of all for me is when you are convinced the course cannot be closed but upon your arrival you see the dreaded sign. The sign usually reads: “Course closed. Next inspection 7am.” All that effort persuading yourself to go, all that effort putting on the five layers of clothing, all that effort of sliding down icy roads, all for nothing.

What do you think of winter golf? Do you love a round in the fresh winter air or do you prefer to sit in the warm clubhouse? Please let us know by commenting below: