Playing in the cold

[k-troop]

I'm on "vacation" in Texas and Missouri for two weeks, and I've played some low rounds.  Had three rounds at Trophy Club in DFW in the mid-forties, and one at Fremont Hills in Springfield, MO at about 44.  Hitting it again today; will be about 40 at tee time.

What's your "low" round?  For me, I'll play in any weather above 50, and above 40 so long as it's not too windy.  If it's calm and sunny, I'll play down to about 35.  Walking keeps you warmer, btw, and you'll play a lot better too.

[wildebeest]

I hit at the range last night and it was 35 or so and I'm gonna play tomorrow since it's supposed to be 45-ish. I put on long underwear, my Nike lined wind pants (also excellent for the rink), a base layer Under Armour-style shirt from Target with a half-zip UA-style running jacket over that. HJ winter performance gloves on my hands, a hand warmer in my pocket and I'm good to go. There's no "winter greens" out here, so I can only play when there's no frost on the green or I just go to the driving range.

Be careful, though... after spending December in Missouri, you might be so enchanted that you'll never want to go back to Hawaii

[awmgolfer]

I am in Northern Maine so as long as there isn't snow on the ground I'll play. The lowest it's been for me was mid 20's with a still wind that put the wind chill into the teens. Our season isn't terribly long so any chance I get I take. Once it dips below 30 I will only use irons because I have lost a driver due to the cold.

[ghalfaire]

My condolences.  I don't play when the temperature is less than 45*F.  Seems like playing in freezing weather would be hard on the equipment as both the balls and ground have to be pretty hard in those temps.

[meenman]

I played a couple of times in the low 40s last year. If there is frost on the course, no one is allowed out so it would be impossible to play in the 30s. During last years xmas vacation, I was frost delayed every morning. Luckily we are looking at at least 80 degrees all this week, so if that can last another week - I wont have to worry about any frost delays this year.

[GaijinGolfer]

For me, the low is 32.  Even then its not so much a problem of dealing with the cold as it is dealing with the concern of hitting a shot fat in frozen ground and injuring my wrists.

[LBlack14]

45* as long as there's little-no wind.

[par4me]

I just got in from playing 9 holes.  It was 38 when we teed of.  Not too bad since we walked and there was no wind.  Anything less than that, or windy, would be pushing it.

[wildebeest]

When we hit the course today it was 37 and it warmed up to 49 by the time we were done. It was super sunny out, so the frost was all gone before we started. If it rains tomorrow this will most likely be my last round of 2001

[BuckeyeNut]

  k-troop said:

Originally Posted by k-troop

What's your "low" round?  For me, I'll play in any weather above 50, and above 40 so long as it's not too windy.  If it's calm and sunny, I'll play down to about 35.  Walking keeps you warmer, btw, and you'll play a lot better too.

I walked 18 holes when it was 8 degrees when I was young and stupid. I broke more than 6 golf balls that day! ....they get brittle on the cold..LOL  The wind chill hovered around zero or below...The course was a block of ice....ya' had to play for serious bounce!

I'm nowhere that crazy in my old age.....  I'll tee off in the low 30's if the wind isn't howling along with potential for rising temps during the day.  I have my own cart cover which definitely helps on those cold mornings!!!  I teed off this morning when it was 35, but it quickly warmed to 50 by the time we finished within 3 hours.

In fact, I played SAT and SUN both this weekend and last......and it was in the low to mid 30's every morning on the first tee...........

[BuckeyeNut]

  meenman said:

Originally Posted by meenman

If there is frost on the course, no one is allowed out so it would be impossible to play in the 30s.

Oh believe me.......just because it's below 32 doesn't = frost.  You Florida people crack me up

[Leftygolfer]

If the ground is frozen I don't like to play.  I played today and it was 43-45 and I was fine.  But it is much different than real rounds.  This time of year I am just practicing.  Dressing well is the key to being able to swing and not being cold.  Wind really doesn't feel very nice under 50.

[Double Bogey]

I walked yesterday in 45* and it was fine.  Anything less than 40 is just miserable to me.  I have played in the 30s but it is just not worth it here in the south.  I can wait a few days and it be at least 40-45.

[Meddle]

Just depends on the wind. If it's windy 45* feels miserable. Sunny with no wind I could go below freezing for sure and be comfortable. Layering and walking the course are the two keys.

[inthehole]

Played in  Readng, PA last weekend & the greens were frozen SOLID at noon (temps in the low 40's).     Surprised they even let us out - tough to enjoy it when even flop shots bounce & skid off the green though.

[TourSpoon]

Last year I played in 40 degree weather with 15-20 mph winds. It was a damp South Florida day. Miserable conditions, but I managed a 76 so that warmed me up!

[PhillyMac]

  BuckeyeNut said:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNut

Oh believe me.......just because it's below 32 doesn't = frost.  You Florida people crack me up

I think he was just braggin' because they have mild winters and by mild I mean low temps around 45 degrees around north Florida! LOL!

I am a sissy boy, it has to be above 45 degrees, sunny and little to no wind! On the other hand, our summers here in the South are Hot and Humid! Sometimes it's just too hot to play in the afternoons in the heat of summer!

[meenman]

  BuckeyeNut said:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNut

Oh believe me.......just because it's below 32 doesn't = frost.  You Florida people crack me up

Anytime it has been even in the low 30s, we have been frost delayed. The course would rather play it safe and make people wait than chance ruining the greens. Now the public courses down the road will do anything to get more people out, but a private club has our cash regardless.