Just how bad has this winter been for golf courses?

Unless you're someone who has the good fortune to live in one of those immaculate year-round climates that we all dream of, it's fair to say that winter golf typically comes with significant compromises attached.

It's often cold and damp, underfoot conditions can be challenging, you'll have to wear numerous layers of clothing just to stay passably warm, and it's likely that you will encounter restrictions like temporary greens and fairway mats.

However, for those who embrace playing the game throughout these darkest months on the calendar, the opportunity to get out for exercise, to spend time with friends, and to keep your swing ticking over is more than enough compensation.

That said, when the weather becomes especially inclement, even those hardiest of golfers can be deprived of their regular round.

And that has been the reality for many of us across the UK this winter.

How Bad Has The Weather Been So Far This Year?

We've been hit by a number of named storms, but more damaging than that has been the seemingly endless rainfall experienced by vast swathes of the country.

The BBC has reported on the newly revealed Met Office statistics that confirmed (unsurprisingly for who live there) that Northern Ireland, south west and southern regions of England, and the east of Scotland all suffered through one of the wettest Januarys ever recorded.

Outlining just how severe things have been, Northern Ireland had its wettest January for 149 years, with 70% more rain falling than average.

Cornwall wasn't immune, either, as Culdrose recorded two and a quarter times its average rainfall for that month, while Aboyne in Aberdeenshire has withstood nearly four times its average for the month of January and with February continuing in similar fashion, it will soon surpass half of its average annual rainfall.

The city of Aberdeen hasn't witnessed a flicker of sunshine since the 21st of January and Cardinham in Cornwall has recorded at least some rainfall every day of the year thus far.

Flood warnings are in place throughout parts of England, Scotland and Wales, as the impact of a "blocked" weather pattern continues to play havoc with affected areas of the country.

That said, it's not a universal phenomenon, as rainfall in the north west of England and western Scotland was below the average for January.

Golf Courses Have Been Closed For Weeks

(Image on Facebook by David Mason)

But for those locations that have found themselves under a literal dark cloud, the impact on golf playability has been profound. 

Course closures have been widespread, which Golfshake Ambassador Matt Holbrook has routinely commented on lately.

We wanted to hear more about the experiences of everyday golfers - so we posed the question on social media: How much has the weather impacted your golf so far this year?

Let's take a look at some responses we received - and the tone is just as you would expect. 

Describing the severity of things, Kevin Macdonald commented: "Lost nearly all of January as course was closed (snow/ice/frost)."

There was similar reporting by Neil Prowse, who said: "Normally play twice a week all year, haven't played since early January as course been closed most days."

Neil Potter says: "Been on temps since end of October! Been closed for the last month."

That reality was echoed by Mark Lawrence, who said: "I went to my club and discovered new water features - club has been shut now for about one month."

How Much Has The Weather Impacted Your Golf?

Despite conditions, some of you have still managed to get out, albeit sparingly. Gary Kay said: "I usually play twice a week but for the last month only played once..."

Paul Thompson joked: "Played twice in five weeks, more like water polo."

Looking for humour even through the grim weather, Chris Cowell said (in jest we think) that he had bought a jet ski.

Steven Carey isn't seeing the funny side, however. "Hardly played - I can deal with the cold, BUT no exaggeration when I say, EVERY booked round, it's rained, which is a massive no, no for someone who wears glasses, and can't have contacts. Golf is pretty hard if you can't see!

And it's not easy even when you can see in this weather, as our very own Derek Clements said: "Mud balls galore, saturated tees and fairways, water in bunkers. Horrible!"

(Golfshake's Ryan Rastall in Portugal)

But it's not just been a problem on these islands, either, as Golfshake's Equipment Expert Ryan Rastall has been spending time in Portugal where the deluges have been dramatic too!

It's been a fairly horrific year thus far for many of our beloved courses, with little sign that conditions are to relent in the near future. 

What that means for the state of venues as we look forward to the new season remains to be seen.