Too HOT!!

[alomar123]

How do you guys in the south do it. I guess I am just not used to it, but it was sooo hot today and the humidity here is crazy. I love walking and have never rode, but after 9 holes I was done from the heat. It was so thick it made breathing hard and it really affected my game. It didnt help that I was walking behind a 8 foursomes.

The group in front of me drove their cart in a patch of grass that was labeled "in repair" and got stuck. I help them get it out otherwise they would be there forever.

I think I rather play in the fall with a jacket on then a day like today.

[pittpanther]

  alomar123 said:

How do you guys in the south do it. I guess I am just not used to it, but it was sooo hot today and the humidity here is crazy. I love walking and have never rode, but after 9 holes I was done from the heat. It was so thick it made breathing hard and it really affected my game. It didnt help that I was walking behind a 8 foursomes.

Tee off either really early, or really late.

I think you learned your lesson about walking - not when it's 95 degreees or worse. The cart gives you a little breeze, and a little shade. Walking, you'll have neither.

[alomar123]

Yeah but 9 is early enough for me I like to sleep and stay up late.

[VolunteerGolfer]

1st tee time of the day if you can. When you finish its still early morning, and before the heat of the day.

[Cornbread]

I feel your pain.
We just had like 18 straight days in the 90's here in N.C. With many being 96 or more. Adding to that is the fact that its not flat land around here... uphill, downhill.
Until I changed Golf Courses recently I use to walk 50% of the time. Now my new course is simply unwalkable... so I haven't walked a round in over two months. I'm getting use to it too. Riding is nice (until its cart path only day).

[Cornbread]

  VolunteerGolfer said:

1st tee time of the day if you can. When you finish its still early morning, and before the heat of the day.

I tried that two weeks ago.... it was 93 with 90% humidity when I finished at 10:30. In the mornings you have to deal with humidity and wet grass.

[buddycris75]

just lots and lots of water. summer does get pretty bad here. but on the other hand...........usually get to play longer since it doesnt get as cold here for quite a while. lol but just drink lots of water and stay hydrated. i'm just glad i dont do two-a-days for football anymore in the 100+ heat

[Red Golfer]

Here in VA lately I have been playing late in the day. I also refrain from any beer when its this hot.

[Comeback City]

The good thing is courses usually firm up quite a bit so your drives go a lot longer than usual.

[LBlack14]

Not much on playing when it's miserable out.

[JML22]

haha its funny cause west coasters complain when its like 23 celsius +
Mind you i golf a course now that you have to have a cart cause its so long but i dont think i would enjoy walking a 6500 + yard course with any decent slope rating at all.

[iacas]

I lugged a bag (Dave's) around two fairly brutal (long, the hilliest I've seen perhaps ever) golf courses for six days in a row. One day, at 8:30pm (at dinner), I looked at my phone and it said 99° with a head index of 115...

The trick was just to use whatever shade you could find, get lots of water, use sunscreen (or lightweight pants, or a combination of both), and to use cold water (on a towel) on your neck or head or wrists when possible.

[goblue107501]

When you grow up playing in the heat you get used to it. Not just golf either. Tennis, baseball, etc. during the summer months were just hot and you learn to cope. Over the years you figure out what to do to keep yourself cool. My wife is from Oregon and even having been out here the last 10 years or so, she still hasn't adjusted completely yet. She can't handle the heat well at all.

Personally I don't mind playing in the extreme heat. The ground gets harder and shots go further. Plus, there aren't as many people playing which makes it nice.

  iacas said:

The trick was just to use whatever shade you could find, get lots of water, use sunscreen (or lightweight pants, or a combination of both), and to use cold water (on a towel) on your neck or head or wrists when possible.

All great tips that I use regularly. Especially the cold, wet, towel. That one is the key. If you just have a dry one to wipe off sweat it is only doing half of what it could. Just putting a cool towel over your head or around your neck can help a ton.

[Cornbread]

  iacas said:

The trick was just to use whatever shade you could find, get lots of water, use sunscreen (or lightweight pants, or a combination of both), and to use cold water on your neck or head or wrists when possible.

Yes, the second greatest invention of the last 20 years is the moisture breathing fabric used in athletic clothing. Ain't nothing worse that a wet cotton golf shirt and wet cotton pants! YUCK !

I haven't tried the wet towel on the neck trick... good idea. I did however (today) get out a chamous cloth I had for vehicle washing... I'm going to carry it wet in the future when I play to wipe my salty hands and face with.

[jamo]

103 today in Boston, that's just not supposed to happen.

  iacas said:

...and to use cold water (on a towel) on your neck...

That's the key. When you do that on a really hot day it feels like heaven. If you can get the water really cold, you might get a few good shivers in before it warms up.

[popeyegolfer]

  Cornbread said:

I tried that two weeks ago.... it was 93 with 90% humidity when I finished at 10:30. In the mornings you have to deal with humidity and wet grass.

What course in NC are you playing?

[Cornbread]

I suppose southwest desert heat and playing golf ain't all that bad.
Last time we were in Vegas it was 104. I walked a couple miles in the heat of the day.... my clothes NEVER got damp. Sweat evaporates as soon as you sweat. NICE!

[acegolfer]

I play in S. Florida during summer and here's how I cope with the heat/humidity.

1. Ride never walk.
2. Tee off as early as possible. Late afternoon is no good due to afternoon storms.
3. Drink lots of fluid before round. Carry 1 sports bottle with ice + 2 gatorade. Drink every hole. If you get thirsty, it's too late.
4. Park and wait in the shade for your turn. Minimize sun exposure. Use an umbrella on greens (perhaps too extreme).
5. Don't be cheap on quality breathable clothing. Good ones will never get wet. Wear low neck socks.
6. Wear visors instead of caps.
7. Relax. Try to laugh.