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To play golf in winter conditions, you'll need essential cold-weather gear including thermal golf gloves, waterproof golf shoes with good grip, and layered golf clothing featuring a moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer, and waterproof outer shell. Consider switching to yellow or coloured golf balls for better visibility in low-light conditions and carrying hand warmers in your golf bag.
Yes, you can absolutely play golf in cold weather, even when temperatures drop below 4°C. The key is proper preparation and equipment. Golf courses remain open year-round in many regions, though frost delays may occur in early morning hours. Many golfers enjoy winter golf for the reduced course traffic and often lower green fees.
Cold temperatures typically reduce golf ball distance by 2-3 yards per club for every 5°C drop below 21°C. This happens because cold air is denser and creates more drag on the ball, while the ball's core material becomes less elastic. To compensate, many players club up one size during winter rounds.
Low-compression golf balls perform better in cold weather as they maintain more elasticity. Models like the Callaway Warbird, Titleist Tour Soft, and Srixon Soft Feel are excellent choices for winter golf. These balls offer better feel and distance retention in cold conditions compared to tour-level high-compression balls.
During winter golf, focus on making three key adjustments to your swing: take a slightly shorter backswing to maintain control, warm up thoroughly before playing to prevent injury, and expect about 80% of your normal distance due to cold weather effects. Swing smoothly rather than trying to overpower shots in cold conditions.
Maintain your golf clubs during winter play by carrying a wet towel for cleaning club faces between shots, thoroughly drying clubs after each round to prevent rust, and storing them in a temperature-controlled environment. Pay special attention to cleaning groove channels to maintain spin control on wet winter courses.
