How to Manage the Heat?

[mcanadiens]

Some times you just got to hang with em for a few rounds.

Realize that your body will adapt. Today's blistering round is tomorrow's mildly unpleasant.

[Double Mocha Man]

22 minutes ago, ncates00 said:

a) Water, gatorade, ice, lots of towels and rain gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc., or

b) get an earlier tee time, or

c) don't play in the heat.

Not playing is an option?!  😎  Not in my golf world.  I am like the Postal Service... "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays this golfer from the swift (or slow) completion of his appointed rounds."

[ncates00]

1 minute ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Not playing is an option?!  😎  Not in my golf world.  I am like the Postal Service... "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays this golfer from the swift (or slow) completion of his appointed rounds."

Certainly is for me.  I'd rather play in the cold than the heat.  I can always put on layers and dink the ball around.  If it's too hot, I'll either play early morning or stay at home and hit on the sim.

[CarlSpackler]

Lots of water and I keep a “chilly pad” hanging around my neck. Walked 18 yesterday in the low 90s and did just fine. Those who know me know that it takes a lot to make me hot. 

[Talldog]

4 hours ago, colin007 said:

Try to drink 2 liters of water before you even tee off

You should start the day before drinking water.

[Papa Steve 55]

Had the same issue last Friday, lucky for me one in the group had a big slice so I spent a lot of time walking in the woods.

[Patch]

3 hours ago, Shindig said:

Question:  what purpose do the nuts serve?  

I drink plenty of water and have recently gotten into the habit for non-playing days too.  I could easily add a bag of nuts to my golf bag either instead of or in addition to protein bars.  Also what kind are you using for this purpose?

No real purpise other than I like raw almonds, pecans, and walnuuts. There's a 4th nut I don't readily remember the name of. I have been told the are are good for one's blood pressure. Good source for magnesium.  Anti oxidants too. 

Edited July 5, 2019 by Patch

[Vinsk]

32 minutes ago, Patch said:

No real purpise other than I like raw almonds, pecans, and walnuuts. There's a 4th nut I don't readily remember the name of. I have been told the are are good for one's blood pressure. Good source for magnesium.  Anti oxidants too. 

Macadamia. 

[bkuehn1952]

6 hours ago, criley4way said:

I played 18 yesterday ...

Getting ready for the A2 Men's Championship, I suspect.  I played my practice round today and you are right, it has been hot.  I try to make my bag as light as possible.  Stay in the shade.  Drink water.  Relax when the inevitable slow downs occur.  You will be okay, we just needed to get some hot weather to get accustomed to the heat.

[rob0225]

As others have said, hydrate prior and continue to drink throughout the round.  I play in south west GA and only walk, typically 27 holes.  It's not uncommon to play in 95 plus degree heat with humidity.  The things I do to manage the effects of heat:

1- Hydrate prior. (very important)!

2- I use an insulated drinking mug.  I fill with ice and gatorade that I keep with me on my push cart.  I'll go through 3-4 bottles of gatorade in 18 holes.  I also have 2-3 bottles of water I freeze the night before to provide cold water in addition to the gatorade.

3- I have a large umbrella on my push cart to protect me from the sun as I'm walking.

4. I've rigged up a battery powered 10" fan on my push cart (Rigid from HD), I can get a full round at high speed with one battery.  (I get some weird looks with this, but oh well. It puts out a good amount of air and It keeps me cool)

5. Eat snacks throughout the round.  For me it's primarily grapes, raisins, etc.

6. I walk at a leisurely pace and allow faster players to play through.

 

 

[Shindig]

For those using Powerade (or other brand equivalents):  do the calories bother you?  I'm a little overweight myself and I have been trying to avoid at least drinking calories.  Are you using Powerade Zero (or other brand equivalents)?  

Ever since it was pointed out to me that a bottle of Gatorade has more sugar than a can of Coke it has stopped feeling like a healthy beverage for me. 

[boogielicious]

13 hours ago, Shindig said:

For those using Powerade (or other brand equivalents):  do the calories bother you?  I'm a little overweight myself and I have been trying to avoid at least drinking calories.  Are you using Powerade Zero (or other brand equivalents)?  

Ever since it was pointed out to me that a bottle of Gatorade has more sugar than a can of Coke it has stopped feeling like a healthy beverage for me. 

I use zero calorie versions. I like Vitamin Water Zero and have been using Ultima Replenisher Powder lately. It tastes good and does work.

I sweat a lot in high humidity and heat and can get cramps. I agree with all the suggestions. If I walk, I can go through 6 bottles in a round. Even in a cart, I will do at least 4. You have to remember to start drinking right away, on the first tee and just keep hydrating a bit at a time. I do snack on Cliff Bars, but like the idea about fruit and nuts too. 

[billchao]

I usually play early in the morning to avoid the heat, but I find myself today with a free afternoon and I think I'm going to go out and play. Real feel 98° 🙄

Going to bring my 40oz insulated water cooler packed full with ice and refill it - a lot. Can always dump water on my face when I get too hot. I haven't played in the heat in a while so I'll see how it goes.

[ghalfaire]

A lot of good suggestions on this thread.  One I didn't see, probably because it isn't "manly", is use an umbrella to stay in the shade when you're not swinging the club.  Could improve your game and avoid some skin cancer later in life.

[dennyjones]

18 hours ago, rob0225 said:

As others have said, hydrate prior and continue to drink throughout the round.  I play in south west GA and only walk, typically 27 holes.  It's not uncommon to play in 95 plus degree heat with humidity.  The things I do to manage the effects of heat:

3- I have a large umbrella on my push cart to protect me from the sun as I'm walking.

Easy to miss with all of the good suggestions.  

Edited July 6, 2019 by dennyjones

[gjunkie57]

Great topic and suggestions.  I played yesterday and did not properly prepare for the high heat and humidity.  My heart rate, which is normally in ‘fat burn’ range while playing was in ‘cardio’ so I knew I was in distress.  Will make sure to hydrate before leaving for the course. 

[Buckeyebowman]

9 hours ago, ghalfaire said:

A lot of good suggestions on this thread.  One I didn't see, probably because it isn't "manly", is use an umbrella to stay in the shade when you're not swinging the club.  Could improve your game and avoid some skin cancer later in life.

Good suggestion! Most people don't realize that the Romans invented the umbrella to keep the sun off of them, not the rain! The very word umbrella comes from the Latin "umbra", which means shadow. Umbrella means "little shadow". Keeping the sun off of you really helps. 

I don't walk the course any more. I'm 66 and my knees are shot. So, we ride. On hot, humid sunny days we hunt shade like crazy. We pull under the shade of trees, we won't sit out in the sun. We bring personal coolers with plenty of fluids and snacks. We don't try to sneak beer onto the course! Drinking beer in the conditions described is a fool's errand! It dehydrates you! 

We also carry good sunscreen. I've been using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist in 100+ SPF. My "golfers tan" hasn't darkened a bit since I've begun using it, and I've absolutely no sunburn "tingle"! And we've been out in sun so intense it felt like it could beat you into the ground! 

 

[MarvChamp]

@dennyjones, Marysville/Port Huron Golf? Denny, my military unit will have its annual reunion in the Marysville/Port Huron area in August. Do you have a couple of courses you recommend? (Sorry to hijack this thread; tried a PM but it said you couldn't receive it.) Thanks much, -Marv