As I get ready to pack my suitcase and head to the northern hemisphere for some sun and tournaments on the Legends Tour, Perth is bracing itself for the winter months.
With the wind, rain and cooler temperatures winter golf is a whole different ball game. If you prepare, adapt and understand some truths, playing golf in the middle of winter as opposed to the middle of summer can be just as rewarding.
There are 2 areas that need to be considered when playing in winter:
1. Game adjustments – As far as I’m concerned this is the area most overlooked by amateurs. The rain and colder air will not only affect how far your ball flies, but also how your ball reacts to the wintry ground. Added layers of clothing can change the speed and motion of your swing which means that your game needs some significant adjustments.
To help you overcome this:
Consider using more lofted clubs – the ball will not roll out as much on soggy ground so consider using a hybrid as opposed to a long iron, or a 5 wood as opposed to a 3 wood. Launching the ball in the air will help the ball carry further.
Switch golf balls – Not all golf balls are the same. They are designed to have different qualities. You may find a higher spinning ball helps the ball stay in the air longer which will help you carry the ball further. Or a harder compression ball will help the ball fly better in the wind. What’s good for you in summer may not work in winter.
Adjust your Driver- The great thing about modern drivers is that you can easily adjust the loft of your driver. A little bit of extra loft can help you add spin and carry. No point using a driver in winter that keeps the ball rolling and running like it does in summer. A bit more loft will help to maintain some distance off the tee.
Adjust your short game – When the greens become soft and slow I tend to make adjustments to chipping and pitching. I find that on soft greens the first bounce is not as predictable as on firm greens. This affects how much my ball will roll out to the pin. To combat this, I will try to fly the ball further into the green with less roll.
Smooth out your putting stroke – If the rain continues during a round the greens will get slower and slower. I find increasing the length of your backswing can help the ball roll better and get the ball to the hole more consistently.
Be mentally tough – Playing in the cold, wind or rain (or all combined) is going to be tough for everyone. So expect to hit shots that are not perfect. You have to be patient, become less aggressive, play the percentages and grind out a score.
2. Preparation – A prepared golfer will be a better winter golfer. Sounds simple. Apart from the obvious; umbrella and wet weather clothing, there are a few other things that are a must in my bag when playing in adverse conditions:
Extra towel – Nothing worse than getting to the back 9 and your towel is just as wet as the ground. It’s important to keep your grips and your hands dry so having a spare towel will help with this.
Extra gloves – No matter how hard you try to keep your glove dry it will be soaked by the time you hit the back nine. A spare glove is a must in wet conditions.
Spare pair of socks, beanie and mittens – The quickest way to lose heat is through your body’s extremities. A beanie is not only a great way to keep yourself warm but it also means that water is not dripping from the peak of your cap when you are playing a shot. Likewise having dry socks to start the back nine is a great feeling. Warm hands help you to maintain feel – especially with your short game.
Bag cover – A waterproof cover that covers the whole bag is a worthy investment. It will give your clubs and grips that added protection of staying dry for the entire round. It can also keep your sandwiches from getting soggy too!
So winter is coming. But if you take a little extra time to prepare for the cold, wind and rain with both your game and equipment, playing in the winter can be just as much fun.
To book a lesson visit michaellonggolf.com
