Colder Weather Golf - Temp. Thresholds and Outerwear

[U345387]

Now that some of us have the unfortunate reality of fall setting in, I'm wondering how folks in colder climates deal.

What is your minimum temp that you will play in? Mine is about 50 degrees but even that can change if it is windy enough.

How do you dress? - specifically, has anyone got any good sugestions for an outer layer jacket that does the job but doesn't impede your swing too much?

I generally go with a couple of performance layers and then a vest or windshirt. Rain pants work well to keep the legs warm.

Interested to hear from others.

[klaymon]

I will play as long as there is no snow on the ground. I had two rounds this past winter that were 22 degrees. I just layer up starting with base layer shirt and pants (thermals, long johns, whatever you want to call them), then usually jeans, long sleeve t-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt with a balaclava. Weather is not a concern.

[Zeph]

I don't have a temperature limit. When it's cold, but dry I use wool or super underwear to keep me warm. Both on legs and torso. Depending on the temperature and if its windy, I use a thin jacket or just a sweater.

If it's raining I got the same setup, but also use a waterproof jacket and pant. I've got 3 different very light jackets which give protection against water and wind, but doesn't keep me warm. I prefere this over having a large, bulging, thick jacket. In heavy rain I also use an umbrella.

On my feet I got a wool sock of some sort. They're actually better than normal sports socks since they fill the shoe better. Always use water proof shoes. If it's really cold I also got a pair of gloves to keep me warm when walking to the ball. Also use a hat (not cap) to keep my ears warm, I tend to freeze quicly on the ears.

My philosophy is to always stay warm, if I start freezing it ruins my swing. I'd rather sweat than freeze. But I don't want to stay too warm, the temperature rarely vary much during a round, with the perfect set-up I never have to remove and clothings during the round.

I always never use cotton when playing golf, always ployester which doesn't hold the sweat like cotton does. I'm always aware of what I use on the course, I like the clothes nice and colorful, kinda like Ian Poulter. Some would call it tacky I guess, but hey, it's golf, what can you expect?

I also emphasise on having clothes with stretch to always keep them close to the body, I don't want the clothes to be constricting my swing.

[jamesgoodchild]

No temp limits. Just snow on the ground closing courses....
FYI, that happened here the past weekend. My round was canceled because the course shut down when we got 4 inches of snow.

[dave s]

Next door to you in Ohio so I feel your pain and numbness of playing in April and October!

My wife surprised me with a really nice FootJoy Rain Suit this year for our anniversary. Surprisingly, I've worn it twice to FOOTBALL games this fall! Let me assure you--it WORKS.

In any event and to answer your question, what has been working great for me is the Underarmor long-sleeve/mock neck shirt to begin with. Usually a golf shirt buttoned all the way up and a water/windproof long-sleeved windshirt. If I have to wear a coat to keep warm enough to play, I'm staying HOME!!!

I have worn stocking caps early in the year to keep warm as well. My wife is a mail carrier and brings home the chemical hand warmers that I slip into the pocket of my windshirts. Helps keep my hands warm.

Can't wait to wear the rain suit next season to help keep me warm and dry in April, May and June in NE Ohio. Summer doesn't come early anymore around here!

dave

[Dub]

It generally doesn't get cold enough down here to stop playing at all.

There will be days where there are frost delays and you'll wait around in the grill....drinking coffe and playing cards.....then they'll either stack everone up on number one and nine and alternate nines.

I can't stand golfing with any type of jacket on. I'll typically wear some kahki slacks, short or long sleeve golf shirt.....fleece vest or sleeveless sweater. If it is very cold or damp & cold then I'll throw on a microfiber long sleeve thing over....but generally remove it for swinging.


A thermos full of cofee to drink throughout the round is nice.

[clonewars222]

Last week at our high school match I had my first experience of being "freezed"

It was about 50 degrees and it started pouring down rain and I had nothing on lol... within minutes I was freezing and soon I couldn't even swing... trust me, you don't want to freeze or you won't be able to play at ALL. Bring waterproof stuff and keep warm with underarmor!

[ganjagolfer]

i play until there is snow on the ground. my big tip are chainsaw gloves made by stihl that allow for maximum grip and warmth.

[hawkeye]

I dress from the inside-to-out (well this is how I think anyway)

Thermal long sleeve t-shirt (UnderArmour), long-johns (underarmour or any cheaper equivilant). Then a polo shirt - the tighter (closer to base layer) the better. Then either 1 or 2 sleeveless jumpers - one snuggish one will do. Over these (depending on rain/wind) - either a jumper, a soft shell/windproof top/fleece, or a full on fleece or waterproof jacket.

Either wear trousers and long johns, waterproof trousers and long johns, or combination of all 3, depending on weather/wind/rain.

A good pair of shoes with thick socks helps too!

Also, a really warm hat and a pair of golf mittens are essential - the mittens are great for pulling a cart, or even carrying your bag, keep your hands warm. (a trick i learned - put them on when raking a bunker, the rakes can be ice cold/wet/sandy and the mittens work a treat!). I have Ping ones, they're fantastic, have individual finger slots, fleece lined and all.

I'll play any weather, if it's too cold to play in Ireland, the courses will be closed.

[Voiceontapex]

last year we went when it was kinda cold out, it wasnt toooo bad when i left my house so i left my sweatshirt at home, and a few hours later sun started goin down and before i know it, WOW was i cold,

tmi moment, but my nipples were pokin out my shirt pretty much they would laugh everytime they would look at me about to swing cause i was chattering my teeth and my nips were like national geographic out there, they still bring it up everytime it gets cold, but ill def bring a sweatshirt or something with me if theres any doubt

[ganjagolfer]

last year we went when it was kinda cold out, it wasnt toooo bad when i left my house so i left my sweatshirt at home, and a few hours later sun started goin down and before i know it, WOW was i cold,

are you male or female?

[Smallville]

I don't play when I go out and decide it's too cold. Whatever temperature that may be. Now this depends on what it's been like recently: if it's been in the 70s or 80s and all of a sudden it's 50, I probably will skip the golf. But if it's wintertime and it's been in the teens or 20s for several weeks and one day it's 45 out, well that's warm! Might need a jacket, but hey, I can golf in this! All a matter of perspective. Unless it's really windy . . . then the wind chill will keep me off the course as much as the wind itself (I don't like playing in really windy conditions!). If it's single digits, even if it's been in the minuses for a while, I still won't go!

[dysull]

I can't say enough about underarmour. I had a long sleeve warm weather shirt and it was great under my golf shirt, no restriction of motion at all. As long as the sun was out, thats all I need when it is above 40 degrees. If it is any colder, cloudy and/or windy, I would throw on a standard golf jacket over it. But the underarmour shirt was the key.

[sam004]

are you male or female?

Nice try, :)

but I would guess male

[LBC99]

Luckilly I don't have to worry too much about weather here in Southern California. It's the end of October and was probably 95 degrees yesterday. I really wish it would cool down though.

[Scott_G]

Autumn/winter is my favorite time of year to play. The courses are less crowded and a flask full of irish whiskey to help keep you warm can make for some fun golf.

Layering is definitely the best way to go. I like the thermal underwear (long johns) made for active sports, usually found in ski shops or the skiing/snowboarding section of most sporting goods stores. Over that I wear a long sleeve golf shirt or mock turtle neck and khakis, maybe a sweater if it's real cold. Then a thin micro fleece 1/4 zip pullover, and a pullover wind breaker and rain pants if it's windy. In colder weather I may put a loose fitting full zip fleece that I can take off easily over that.

Something to cover the ears is essential. If it's really cold I'll wear a stocking cap, but a lot of the time they make me sweat too much, so I'll wear an earband over a ball cap.

Cart mitts are awesome to wear between shots. And you can tuck hand warmers inside them if needed.

As long as there is no snow on the ground I'll be there!