Northern golfers: What do you do during the winter?

[fastfed]

I would go nuts not being able to play for what? 4-5 months?

Down here in FL its the best time to play, the weather is unreal, but then again so are the prices to play (80-130 bucks a round)


I know up north its got to be impossible to play during the winter months, I mean 30 degrees during the day, nasty disgusting weather, snow.

Are golf courses even open?

[VanillaEps]

I would go nuts not being able to play for what? 4-5 months?

In NY, most of the courses are open during the winter unless there's snow on the ground. In a mild winter, we can play almost all year round.

[Fried Egg]

Once it gets nasty, it's right about time for me to take a break for a while. Then I'll take one or two vacations down south for a few weeks of golf. Before you know it, spring is here.

[GreensDruid]

Last year was mild up until about mid January. Most courses close but one near my home opened right up into January depending on weather. Once the snow flies (and sticks) they all close.

What do you do when that happens? Easy - ski (both xc and downhill), snowboard, snowshoe through the backcountry in moonlight, trim your apple trees for next spring, get some brush cut and cleared, burn brush piles, drink some beers around the fire, cozy up with your main squeeze and make mad, passionate love - whatever. We're only limited by our imaginations.

Before you know it, spring comes and we're back out playing. Not so bad really - and we don't have to put up with Bermuda grass.

[cubfanbob]

Here in The Great White North [Minnesota] we're pretty much out of luck for at least 4 months. The latest in the year I've ever played is the middle of November, the earliest was the middle of March. One year we got 31" of snow on Halloween!

So during the winter we hit the indoor golf domes, take sabbaticals to warmer climes, or sit in front of the fireplace with tears in our eyes and golf books in our laps.

[callawaygolf]

I might be going down to SC a couple times this winter.

[Clubswinger21]

.. hate my life?

No.. some areas of Canada it gets as bad as just about anywhere. Fortunately I live in British Columbia which is as western and as warm as you get in Canada. Unfortunately it rains pretty much all the time anyways so it limits your playing time significantly. 1st snow usually comes end of November here. But we've had winters with no snow what so ever. Golf courses are usually open as long as the greens arent frozen or covered in snow. I actually played when it was -7 once, it was like playing on blacktop, id hit a pitching wedge from 170 and have it bounce the whole way to the green.. it was great. =\

[mybloodinvt]

it's pretty much clockwork, all the courses this far north close on october 31, no matter what. you are still able to go out and hack it around, but the greens are tarped so you might as well leave the putter home. sure, there are other things to do, like, freeze to death. no, really, i like to snowshoe in the woods and do some freeheel skiing when it isn't too cold. it would be a good time to breed, but i'm all done with that. hopefully, this is my last winter on the tundra. keeping my fingers crossed.

[907golfer12]

Man, some of you guys are lucky, here in Alaska all of the golf courses have been closed since about October 3rd or 4th. Lately I have just been hitting at the indoor range. Also I chip and putt in my house.

[BigAl5150]

Consume vast quantities of beer.

[iacas]

Read The Sand Trap!

[KIDDEREK]

First winter. hmmm

If it's mild as it was last year, I will definitely throw on a jacket and play. Is it better to ride or walk in the cold? I don't necessarily play faster when riding.

[nevets88]

I see we don't have many skiers here. Or snowboarders.

Ever take the first run after a huge snowfall? Heaven.

[samsquanch]

Well, I do my last day of golf on November 15th. Then, in order to keep myself from flipping out at someone, I have to sit in a small room with the walls painted white, with nothing inside, no windows, no bed, etc. except the occasional meal from the outer world. There I wait biting my arms bloody an raw waiting for spring to come.

[benhd1]

Hike and ice fish! Head to Florida in February to visit family and get in a few rounds. Come February winter blues has hit and the sun in Florida is just what we need. Winter does suck, but spring and fall in NE is awesome! Winter kills all the bugs! Lived in Texas before, I hated the bugs!

[flash]

hi i live on west coast of canada in british columbia. we are able to play all year due to living close to the coast but inland on the mainland snow is a big damper,haha, salt water near by lowers degree of snow.there are some fantastic indoor ranges though large enough for ANYONE to hit driver,not to mention taking a break for a beer and any kind of food you can think of.BIG $$$ in winter.hope this gives you some information that we don't have to go through withdrawls for long 'cause I would be first golfer outta here real quick.Cheers Flash

[Linkster]

I play until it gets down in the teens, always better than indoor honey-doos.

[907golfer12]

I see we don't have many skiers here. Or snowboarders.

I love to ski and snowboard, but I was answering the question on the terms of golf. But in the winter I ski, snowboard, play indoor soccer, and sometimes bowl.