Beating Cold, Windy Conditions
by Stephen Vedder, Silver Sage Golf Professional
Early spring in Idaho often means some chilly, windy weather; here are some tips for persevering through cold conditions on the golf course.
1) Dress in layers and ensure you have appropriate gear before starting your round. Cold weather can have a huge impact on your swing and even your thought process.
· Wear a thick, dark colored baseball cap or sock hat, the majority of the bodies heat loss is from the head.
· Wear a thin, tight-fitting mock turtleneck as a base layer; this keeps your core warm. Add a sweatshirt or fleece and top off with a windproof pullover or even a rain-suit to protect against the cold wind. Thick socks can also aid in keeping the body warm on cold days.
2) Some minor swing adjustments can help keep scores low in tough conditions.
· Take at least one more club; the ball does not fly as far in cold weather.
· Choke down an inch, by gripping down on the club you will enhance control in tough conditions as well as reduce shock to the joints of the hands and wrists.
· Shorten your swing, with all of the added cloths and probably some muscle stiffness from the cold, swing no more than three quarters of full. Winter is not the time to swing for the fences, work on control and precision.
3) Don’t forget to think.
· In tough conditions, strategy often goes out the window; just the opposite should be true. Cold weather reduces distance and wind reduces control. Your only defense against high scores is to manage your game well and rely on a strong short game
Don’t let the cold windy weather keep you away from the course. Use this time to sharpen your skills for the upcoming season and have a great time.
