How to keep warm playing golf

Even with a bit of autumn sunshine, it can still feel cold on the course, especially early in the morning. However, given the extensive range of winter golf clothing and accessories on the market, there can be no excuses for feeling the cold to the extent that you pack the game in for the winter.

In fact, so effective are some of the modern garments, they’d keep you nice and toasty if you decided to go trekking in the Arctic.

There are other ways to keep your body warm on the fairways this winter, too. So, as well as topping up your golf wardrobe with a few items of winter golf gear, here’s how to keep warm playing golf.

Wear a base layer

A base layer has to be number one on the list. They provide incredible warmth for such a thin piece of material. Skin-tight base layers don’t restrict your swing like bulkier layers can and help increase blood circulation. On really icy days, you may want to consider a pair of base-layer bottoms, too. Now it doesn’t matter how low the temperature gets.  

Prepare a hot drink

Make sure you top up that flask of yours before you tee off. It’s important to stay hydrated, of course, which is why you should always carry water. However, during the winter, use your flask for a cup of hot tea or coffee—or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a hearty soup. You can’t beat sipping a hot brew on the frosty fairways.

Wear winter mitts

If you don’t own a pair of mitts, put them on your Christmas list. These are up there with the base layers—they’re absolutely essential. Once the hands and fingers go, so does your feel, and you have no chance of playing your best. Winter mitts are easy to slip on and off between shots, and they do a fantastic job of keeping your hands warm, so you can grip your club properly and keep that all-important feel in your fingertips.

Invest in hand warmers

Why stop with a pair of winter mitts? There are lots of hand-warming devices out there that you might not necessarily find in a golf shop. Such products don’t just target golfers but anyone who suffers from cold hands when out and about. Some, you simply charge up at home; then, when you get to the course, turn them on, place them in your pockets, and feel the heat.

Wear thermal socks

Okay, this might be stating the obvious, but plenty of golfers out there don’t own a pair of thermal golf socks—and that’s a crime! We’ve all suffered the painful feeling of numb toes, and no amount of feet stamping can bring them back to life. Again, how can you expect to play your best when you’re suffering from cold feet?

Wear a bobble hat

If you ever see a golfer playing without a bottle hat in the winter, they must be made of pretty strong stuff. So much body heat is lost from our heads, so keeping this part of the body warm is crucial. Cold ears rival cold toes and fingers for pain. Quite frankly, taking to the golf in the winter without a warm hat is madness.

Try a snood

Eyebrows were raised when the pros started wearing snoods, but no one would question the look these days—they’re becoming increasingly popular. Snoods are really effective on cold and windy days. They keep your neck warm and prevent drafts from getting down your top. Think of those blustery days on the links, where the icy gusts take your breath away. Another advantage of wearing a snood is that the stretchy material can be pulled right up over your face.

Carry your bag

If you really suffer from the cold in the winter months, try carrying your clubs instead of using a trolley. It’s always nice to get moving after you’ve been standing around in the cold waiting to tee off. You might find that you warm up a lot quicker and stay fairly warm throughout your round when you’re tasked with carrying your clubs on your back.

Invest in decent waterproofs

When the wet starts penetrating through your layers, there’s no coming back. If you’re a golfer who likes to play all-year round, you’ll already know the importance of wearing fully waterproof jackets. Ideally, you need a full suit—so that’s the jacket and trousers. Today’s best waterproof golf suits will keep you dry in even the wettest conditions. 

Switch to waterproof shoes

Many a golfer gets caught out wearing the wrong type of golf shoes when the cold weather comes around. Even if there’s no rain forecast, make sure you wear fully waterproof golf shoes during the winter months. One trip to the long, wet rough in shoes that aren’t waterproof, and you’ll be suffering from cold, wet feet for the rest of your round.

Specialist golf insurance with Golf Care

Great—you know how to keep warm playing golf, so now there’s nothing stopping you getting out on the course this winter. However, you might also want to consider golf insurance to protect yourself further.

With Golf Care, golf insurance includes Equipment cover up to £7,500, Public Liability up to £10m and much more. It’s also underpinned by the ‘Ripe Guarantee’, meaning you get great cover and service to match at a price you can afford. Get a quote online today.