Winter Golf

[StuartD]

Am I the only one here who does not play through the winter?

I throw he clubs away at the end of October and don’t look at them again till late Feb/March.
I just can’t be bothered swinging in gale force winds carrying a stupid mat, playing of uneven winter tees and putting on bumpy (winter) greens. It tells me nothing about my game. I even have a new Wilson Df6 3 wood still in its wrapper bought in October and I have no urge to try it yet

The one time I did play (and practice at the range) through the winter I hit every iron shot fat when I got back to playing on grass.

The closest I get to golf is Tiger woods on the Wii. Anybody else out there feel the same?

 

[GB72]

I am looking to play through the winter but do not seem to have the same weather issues as you. Aside from last Sunday when the wind was a bit strong, the weather at the weekends in Rutland has been spot on. Temperatures have been about 10 degrees with bright sunshine. My local course is in good nick, no mats and the greens are OK as well. If the weather was awful then I would stay in doors with Tiger Woods on my 360 but so far, fingers crossed, the weather has been better than for much of the summer.

 

[Parmo]

I have been trying to play this winter as its my first playing golf. I have found though that with the ground so soggy that using my irons has become a nightmare, as it seems I have to take an extra club for each shot and half the earth follows with the ball. My local municipal uses some decent mats all year round on a number of holes but the temp ones they have brought out are really bad.

I really am thinking of just using the range and the 12 hole 3 par course at the local private course until the ground firms up and the light mornings are back where I can get a round in and be home for 10am on the weekend rather than be caught in the middle of a competition as is the problem now and have a four and a half hour round with four balls playing in front and behind me adding pressure.

 

[happyhacker]

Weather has been decent up here as well. Well at least until the weekend before Christmas at any rate.

I think I would go mad if I was not swinging a club and playing the whole way through winter.

 

[toonarmy]

Stuart, I used to think exactly like you and couldn't see the point as it didn't feel like 'real' golf and it wouldn't tell me anything.

Then I realised I was just using this as an excuse to avoid nasty conditions. Last summer rendered this invalid as I was rained off mid-round many times during comps (i.e. greens got waterlogged in the time to walk from approach shot to green!).

I now realise that winter golf (with the exception of greens) is just as valid as other months. Dealing with the tough conditions inevitably brings benefits at other times of the year. I always drop to a half-set for winter and this in itself encourages a new shot-making approach. I'll admit, I'm lucky in that my club almost never use mats and winter greens very rarely poke their head out, but I think it would be the same regardless.

As far as I'm concerned, crap greens don't affect my tee shots or approach play, and that's all valuable practice. The one time I've had to play winter greens this year, I took to simply walking up to the ball with my bag still over my shoulder and putting one-handed with my right hand. After I'd holed the first 3 putts in one, I thought 'there might be something in this you know' and continued to experiment for the rest of the round (knowing putting didn't matter on those greens). The results have led me to alter my approach to putting and it is now a substantially more right-hand controlled stroke for me and the ball pushed further forward (a la Mickelson) and the early results suggest a definite improvement.

None of that development would have occurred had I chosen not to play during winter. No matter how bad your round is, there's always one shot that makes you come back again. Likewise, no matter how bad the conditions, there will always be something you learn from it.

Just my opinion of course and if you still want to avoid the winter months (and others like you) that just makes it easier for us hardy folk to get on the course when the lack of light bunches everyone up on the tee!

 

[USER1999]

Sometimes golf isn't about 'golf', but more about a brisk walk in the fresh air, and a having a laugh with your mates. If I didn't play, I would miss seeing the guys and all the banter that goes with it. I don't think it necessarily helps or hinders your summer game because it is not really the same game. Temporary greens are a pain though, and we don't ever have mats.

 

[John_Findlay]

Stuart,

Have you not thought about getting down to some nice links courses over the winter and taking advantage of the half price green fees you get at his time of year?

 

[StuartD]

John,

Yes I have thought about it but none of us really ever get round to booking/organising etc.

Thought about the New and Jubilee at St Andrews as they rotate the usage of mats during the winter months.

Sometimes go along to The Glen at North Berwick as a few work colleagues are members. They would not dream of coming to Pumpherston (my club) in the winter as the drainage on the newer front nine is poor.

You are a Craigielaw member. Do they use mats in the winter? A few us from work have talked about going along.

 

[John_Findlay]

Am playing the Glen with some friends on Sunday. Not really a links course, is it, but great views.

No mats in winter at Craigielaw, Stuart. Full course, although I did play it yesterday and many of the bunkers were partly flooded still. Otherwise ok and perfectly playable.

Gullane is good for winter golf, too, as is Dunbar.

 

[medwayjon]

I couldn't cope if I didn't play during the winter. I find it nice to have a game on a real crisp day. Part of the enjoyment of golf for me is the scenery and the walk and the course looks beautiful on a winter morning.

 

[daveyboy17]

I dont mind a bit of rain i dont mind a bit of wind but i hate playing in wind and driving rain horrible conditions. I think the reason is poor bag my clubs get soaked for me its a bit of a catch 22 coz trolleys are not allowed alot of the time but a big leather bag would protect my clubs better and make me want to play more, dont get me wrong i still go out there coz i love this game but wind AND rain ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. lol all play well

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Winter golf should be seen as a challenge and embraced. I agree there is nothing more sould destroying than turning up on the 1st tee for a medal in driving rain knowing the forecast isn't going to improve but you have to remember it is the same for everyone else.

I understand the moans about clubs getting wet. My callaway stand bag is not the best for keeping water out even with the hood but I make sure I have plenty of gloves (including a footjoy rain glove - the wetter it gets the better the grip) and have a small towel I tuck into my waterproof pocket for drying the grips (and a larger one under my brolley if the wind is light enough to have one up for drying my hands and ball). Its all about being prepared.

Royal Ascot have been lucky this year like many not to have had to resort to temporary greens at weekends (they give 3 greens a week a rest Monday-Friday on a rotational basis and they are on temps). We have not used mats at all

If you've never been out for a round of Winter golf give it a go. As wise sages have said it is a great test of your driving, approach play and short game. You will use different clubs on holes than you would normally (less roll) so it is like playing a different course. It makes you visualise each hole afresh and gets you thinking more (not a case of hit a drive, short iron and off you go)

 

[madandra]

Stuart, I would love to be a fair weather golfer but the truth is that up here you take it when you get it. If I waited for fine golfing conditions last year, I would have played less than 12 times.

 

[brendy]

I love winter golf almost as much as summer as The ball doesnt take mammoth kicks of banks etc.
What I dont love so much is the fact its a shorter course which isnt just as challenging and the high handicappers in my opinion get more of an advantage out of it.
Wet grass, wind or rain I can deal with, all at once makes it bloody hard to enjoy, then it becomes exercise over sport.

 

[madandra]

When its a short course I try not to play the driver. This lets you have a bop with a longer iron.

 

[Toad]

We try to play every week throughout the year, love the soft greens in winter.

 

[birdieman]

I know where you're coming from StuartD, depends what alternatives are available, I would never have played in winter a few years ago as I wasn't golfing more than 2 games a year then, would have gone skiing/hillwalking instead as I lived near Aviemore but I would now just for the exercise and fresh air. Winter greens, soggy fairways, cold hands etc aren't always a lot of fun but if the only alternative is Eastenders omnibus then I'm out there!
I'm much more likely to go to the practice area and hit 150 balls than venture onto the course in winter.
However this winter I have been invited to play at St Andrews so have suddenly regained my enthusiasm for winter golf, at least until Saturday!!

 

[pcowgill]

I'm always on hand to help anyone escape to sunnier climes and who, like me, hates playing golf in the freezing cold and pouring rain. I'm off to Spain next week for some sun and golf and I won't be taking my waterproofs or a suitcase full of heavy pullovers.

 

[Parmo]

I'm always on hand to help anyone escape to sunnier climes and who, like me, hates playing golf in the freezing cold and pouring rain. I'm off to Spain next week for some sun and golf and I won't be taking my waterproofs or a suitcase full of heavy pullovers.

I hate you.

 

[haplesshacker]

What I hate about winter golf.
Playing of matts.
Playing on winter greens. (Luckily don't have to)
Amount of kit you have to wear / carry.
British weather.

What I love about winter golf.
The chance to continue playing.
Balls don't roll out the back of the green.
The chance to get better. So that when the summer comes, I'll be that little bit better, (one hopes).