Are you looking to practice your game this winter after taking golf lessons in Oakville or attending golf camp? Golfers have many questions about winter golf, like “Can I play golf in the snow?” or “Should I use different balls in winter?”
So, beyond layering yourself in light, flexible and warm fabrics, what else can you do to survive and thrive during the winter golf season, such as it is?
In this post, you will discover the problems golfers have to face and the solutions to survive them. Let’s begin!
Those cold, short days on the golf course have arrived. From wet and soggy courses to the ball travelling a shorter distance, the winter season can make golf even more challenging. Let’s talk about the problems golfers can expect to face in winter.
1. Slippery Grips Due to Sudden Downpours
Golfers are instructed not to hold their clubs too tightly. But in wet and windy conditions (an increasingly common occurrence during Ontario winters), your grips can become drenched, resulting in them becoming slippery.
Rain also reduces the spin on your ball and limits the control you have on approach shots. This is because water gets in between the ball and the groove, decreasing the friction on the ball at impact and so the spin.
So, you need to master the muddy lie shot to nick the ball off the turf. The wind also demands good ball striking. You need to play strong and apply the punch shot to beat the wind. Not only for winter but these skills will help your game as a whole.
2. Misery in the Grass
Another difficulty is to go through the inevitable wet long grass in search of missing balls. This becomes even more difficult than in summertime.
To keep the green and tees safe during winter frost, some courses mark temporary greens in the middle of the fairway and lay down mats on the tees. Getting your tee into the mat becomes the first challenge, while the second is avoiding a three-putt on a divot-ridden temporary green.
3. Plugged & Cold Golf Balls
Plugged golf ball under wet sand is the next problem winter the golfers face. They also ask, “Do cold golf balls travel less distance?” The answer is yes, and there are some reasons behind this. Firstly, when the golf ball and club are colder, the energy transfer is not as efficient, reducing the ball’s speed. Secondly, cold air is denser than warm air, so there is more friction and drag. This increases the resistance during flight and reduces the distance it travels. Therefore, try to keep the ball warm. You can do so by keeping it in your hand from the green to the tee. Or, alternately, you can carry two balls and play with them between holes to keep them warm to help maintain their performance.
The same advice is applicable to your clubs. As mentioned, because cold reduces the elasticity of the metal in your clubs, the result is less efficient energy transfer to the ball. Frost can also affect the wedge because the club may bounce off the turf, causing a lot of thin shots. So, it is better to carry an extra club.
These are some of the most common problems golfers face in winter. But you can use the winter season as a chance to improve your skills and get prepared for summer. So, layer up, warm up properly, work on your swing mechanics, and, most importantly, enjoy yourself. If you want to learn more about golfing in winter or consult directly with the experts of our golf camp in Oakville, contact us here.