IT is undeniable now. The winter is here. The clocks have gone back, it’s dark early, and the heady summer days we played in shorts and shorts are just a fading memory. For many golfers, it is time to put their clubs down and wait for longer, warmer days to return.
But for the real enthusiasts among us, the challenge continues. So what are the ups and downs of winter golf?
HIGH
There will be fewer people playing and that means you will likely have it to yourself when you hit the court.
LOW
Your kids will wake up beside themselves with excitement that there is snow on the ground. Your heart will sink knowing the course is closing and people are using it for sledding.
HIGH
You don’t have to hang around on the fairway waiting for the greens to clear – those who play in winter tend to play faster than summer.
(Image source: Kevin Diss Photography)
LOW
It’s Christmas Day. They have got a new driver and are dying to get out and try it out. But you can’t. It’s Christmas Day – the course is closed and you have to spend the day happy families playing.
HIGH
Quieter courses mean you can throw a few balls down without worrying about holding those behind you – chances are nobody is behind you.
LOW
It has been raining for days. The two bullets you threw down are stuck in the mud and you will never see them again.
HIGH
You will likely be playing on winter greens so you won’t lose sleep doing three putts on a piece of fairway.
LOW
You step off the pitch and discover that you’ve done 42 putts on the winter greens knowing you’re about to lose sleep.
HIGH
When the rain subsides, it’s okay to turn to your playmates and say, “Is anyone really having fun? Should we just pack up and go to the clubhouse? “
LOW
When the rain subsides, you find that your waterproof clothing is not waterproof and your golf shoes are letting water in. And your gaming partners want to continue to the bitter end.
HIGH
If you play during the week there is a chance that you will not have to book a tee time.
(Image source: Kevin Diss Photography)
LOW
At some point the ground will be frozen solid – and that means pain if you dilute an iron shot.
HIGH
At some point the ground will be frozen solid, meaning your drives will bounce and roll for miles.
LOW
At some point the ground will be covered with frost and the chief greenkeeper will tell you that the course is closed.
HIGH
The greenkeeper just told you the place is closed and won’t open which means you can jump back in your nice warm car and drive back to your lovely warm house.
LOW
Feeling cold and miserable, you venture into the warmth of the clubhouse – only to find it closed.
HIGH
The clubhouse is closed so you don’t have to drink a glass of flat beer.
LOW
Your bunkers will be full of water.
HIGH
Your bunkers will be filled with water, which means you can fish the ball out and play it from the fairway.
LOW
Your car is iced up and you realize that you forgot to buy de-icers. You have to scrape it off the windshield with a credit card, after which you can no longer feel your fingers. You also find that the trunk of your otherwise immaculate car is covered in dried mud.
HIGH
You arrive at the golf club and have finally warmed up. The frost has cleared and it’s a wonderful, fresh winter morning. The course is open and the sun casts long shadows over the fairways. It looks great. It’s good to be alive.
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