Winter golf, is it really worth it.........

[Roops]

Having spent two weeks at the end of last year playing in Mauritius, I am really starting to lose my mojo for winter golf. For the first time ever I can really see why some just park the clubs at the end of October and don't bother until march April.

Soggy fairways, velcro rough, temporary greens and 5 layers of clothing just seems like such a slog to play at the moment. A good swing can feel like an absolute hack, a nice drive plugs in the first cut and you never find it......

Is it really worth it.......... ?

 

[Hobbit]

Its the craic with the guys that keeps me going back this time of the year. If we're rained off for a few weeks I don't miss the golf at all.

 

[farfaeforfar]

I don't miss it. Partly as I played every winter when I was a junior and I think that partly sickened me of things. Never a down time to relax, reflect and practice. Last year I played a few round up until November 1st, the last being links golf in 40mph gusts. Was hardly brilliant and a timely reminder why I prefer the range this time of year. The other part is I have a rubbish immune system and catch a cold at the drop of a hat, so I tend to not do many sub zero days out for prolonged periods.

That said I am hoping to get started on the course around mid March at the latest. That will give me enough bounce games to get ready for my first medal in April (I hope).

 

[Imurg]

The secret is to not take it too seriously.
Enjoy being out in the fresh air getting a bit of exercise and not being in work or dragging around the shops.
I hate to think how rusty I'd feel if I parked the clubs Nov 30 and picked them up again March 30.....

 

[Slab]

Having spent two weeks at the end of last year playing in Mauritius, I am really starting to lose my mojo for winter golf. For the first time ever I can really see why some just park the clubs at the end of October and don't bother until march April.

Soggy fairways, velcro rough, temporary greens and 5 layers of clothing just seems like such a slog to play at the moment. A good swing can feel like an absolute hack, a nice drive plugs in the first cut and you never find it......

Is it really worth it.......... ?

Its not all fun you know, we're currently preparing for a tropical cyclone to hit in the next 24 hours so golf definitely out for several days... but yes having a 12 month golf season is preferable to those bitterly cold winter days

 

[Deleted member 15717]

This is where I am really lucky. No temporary greens, no soggy fairways, no waterlogging issues. Just have to battle the weather on the day, wind/rain/freezing cold (or all of the above!)

 

[Lambchops]

It would be nice to have the option - most courses here close end of October til end of March

 

[patricks148]

I always enjoy my walk and banter with mates in winter, but thats all it is.... a walk. Good to keep the swing going at least.

We have heavy snow due this week and that's the one thing that keeps me off the course!!

 

[louise_a]

Its good to get out in the fresh air and have a walk regardless of anything else and it does keep the swing going. If I don't played for more than a couple of days I get twitchy. I will be out later today.

 

[Jimaroid]

Cold, crisp, still and bright sunny days like we had a couple of weeks ago? Yes, winter golf is glorious. Howling sleet-stinging misery like we had this weekend just gone? Nope! No way I was going out in that. So I had to make do with a visit to the driving range to work on improving my posture.

 

[brendy]

It really depends.
Our course is improving year on year but there are certain parts that you simply cant walk on from December to early March, the fairways etc are ok though can become saturated if there has been a sudden or prolonged deluge (like many parkland). My problem with winter golf is the ease at which winter greens are declared. Example, we play winter league 12 holes on a Saturday and club society plays 18 holes sweep on Sunday.
On Saturday the course was open, damp but on winter greens due to forecast weather, it never arrived and the day was pretty good weather wise but I did not go to the club as I refuse to play on our temp greens (as do the rest of my fourball and many others). Roll onto Sunday and the full course was back open, nice and windy and had a great day out, scoring was average but looking at the temporary greens, they were suffering dampness even more than the actual greens which meant it would have been no fun at all.

 

[Duckster]

Our winter league is more social than anything. Granted there are always going to be one or two that take it more seriously than others.

Plus I'm using this winter to bed in a lot of swing changes that I had with my pro towards the end of last year, ready for next season (after yesterday's performance where I was level after 13 and we won 5&4, they appear to be working). Will probably make that a regular thing

 

[Val]

Its the craic with the guys that keeps me going back this time of the year. If we're rained off for a few weeks I don't miss the golf at all.

Couldn't agree more.

I haven't played at my club since the end of November, I had a game at Craigielaw in Dec and the way the weather is just now chances are I won't be getting a game in anytime soon, I miss playing in general but I don't miss playing in this weather.

 

[louise_a]

I have just been informed that we have our first match in the 2015 Mail on Sunday club knockout, in the next couple of weeks, a bit earlier in the year but I guess there are a lot of rounds to be played.
As the rules allow for as many as 6 temporary tees/greens to be in use it will be interesting. A couple of our low stroke index holes are shortened by nearly 100yds if winter greens/tees are in use.

 

[chellie]

We had a playing lesson yesterday. That was interesting in the conditions we had lol.

 

[tsped83]

The secret is to not take it too seriously.
Enjoy being out in the fresh air getting a bit of exercise and not being in work or dragging around the shops.
I hate to think how rusty I'd feel if I parked the clubs Nov 30 and picked them up again March 30.....

Well said that man.

 

[winty57]

was out yesterday 16 temps, most holes shortened, but the weather and company was good and carried ..............trying to burn some calories added during the festive period!

 

[garyinderry]

Couple of weeks off and I might lose my swing. heres hoping. shocking at the minute.

 

[john0]

I have 2 choices......

1. Go play golf in the cold/wind/rain....

or

2. Stay at home with the Mrs and probably end up going shopping...

I like Winter golf!!!

 

[Junior]

Even in Winter, 18 holes at the weekend is still the highlight of my week !!