When is the weather "too bad" to play?

[Fourputt]

I won't play in lightning.  Before I retired, I'd play in cold down into the 30's as long as there was not much wind, high wind if not too cold, light rain.  When time to play is limited, you have to take what you get.  

Now I can play most days if the course is open, so I'm more selective.  Out here on the high plains, wind is a common factor - I wouldn't get much play in if windy days stopped me, so that doesn't deter me.  

I don't really play if it's below 50° any more, and aside from a quick shower, I don't play in rain (I just don't find that to be much fun).  Since Colorado doesn't have many rainy days, I rarely miss a round of golf for rain.  

I certainly don't play in the snow.  I was never one to push dedication to the game that far, although I did play on a few nice winter days in the 30's when the grass was not buried under snow.  I never knew anyone with the dedication of this kid, my former boss's grandson hitting balls off the patio into the blizzard:

[RandallT]

36 minutes ago, jsgolfer said:

Don't retire in the south or mid-atlantic, it was 90 degree's yesterday, not that humid, but that is coming in another month.  

I played Wednesday at Twin Lakes, and it was surprisingly hot- and that was only in the 80s, I think. And you're right- the humidity here in Northern VA hasn't kicked into gear. I'd almost forgotten those days. It has been a while, but I was definitely plotting my walking such that any of my waits would be in the shade.

19 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

Its the same at Stoneleigh, recovered from aerification, and the rough just loved all the rain.  Member-Guest is next weekend, fairways will be important.

Before our outings at Stoneleigh and Springfield, I'd have said 40s was too cold, but that experience gave me an entirely new perspective. If I layer up, and have some wind protection, I could do 40s again- most definitely. High winds with balls rolling off the green, maybe not, but hey, that was only a hole or two!

Previously I'd have said I'll take extreme hot to extreme cold, but now I'm not so sure. I could play down to the low 40's, but I'm starting to think my upper limit is around 90. With a hot sun and humidity, it starts to become more of a slog- particularly in comparison to a colder day, where it seemed part of the challenge to stay warm and loose. You can't get "un-hot" on a hot day, but you can get "un-cold" on a chlly day with activity to an extent.

[DaveP043]

51 minutes ago, RandallT said:

Previously I'd have said I'll take extreme hot to extreme cold, but now I'm not so sure. I could play down to the low 40's, but I'm starting to think my upper limit is around 90. With a hot sun and humidity, it starts to become more of a slog- particularly in comparison to a colder day, where it seemed part of the challenge to stay warm and loose. You can't get "un-hot" on a hot day, but you can get "un-cold" on a chlly day with activity to an extent.

I still play all summer, no matter how hot it gets, but when its above 90 and humid I'll be in a cart.  For the Newport Cup in Phoenix, we played 36 holes for the first two days, and the high temp was above 105 each day, but the dry heat truly is different from our humid heat in Virginia.  Yeah, it was hot, and I looked for every bit of shade I could find, but it wasn't even close to unbearable.

[9wood]

About 15 years ago I played in a 100 hole benefit tournament on a day that registered 94 degrees with high humidity. I must have drank 2 gallons or more water that day, and I was completely drained when I finally finished the 100th hole. Next time, I will just donate the registration fee and not play, or pay someone else to play the 100 holes if they want to. That will be my part in helping the benefit.

[boogielicious]

1 hour ago, 9wood said:

About 15 years ago I played in a 100 hole benefit tournament on a day that registered 94 degrees with high humidity. I must have drank 2 gallons or more water that day, and I was completely drained when I finally finished the 100th hole. Next time, I will just donate the registration fee and not play, or pay someone else to play the 100 holes if they want to. That will be my part in helping the benefit.

On a hot summer day, I will drink two bottles per 9 holes. For me, even that may not be enough. I've learned to start drinking right away, otherwise I have trouble taking in enough fluid. 

[DaveP043]

I usually have a 22 oz water bottle in my bag, and fill that up at the practice range, but i its going to be really hot, I'll start with a Gatorade before the first tee.  We have drinking water on every second tee, starting on #4, and I'll fill up the 22 oz bottle every time, and try to finish it before the next water stop.  Drink water early and often, don't let yourself get thirsty and dehydrated, its next to impossible to catch up.  And like I said up there, if its TOO hot, I'll suck up my pride and ride in a cart.

[PhxHacker]

4 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I still play all summer, no matter how hot it gets, but when its above 90 and humid I'll be in a cart.  For the Newport Cup in Phoenix, we played 36 holes for the first two days, and the high temp was above 105 each day, but the dry heat truly is different from our humid heat in Virginia.  Yeah, it was hot, and I looked for every bit of shade I could find, but it wasn't even close to unbearable.

Yea, 105* is playable. Not many courses have shade here in phoenix though. But it is amazing how the shade from a little Palo Verde tree can lower the heat index. I grew up in Denver and when it was mid 90's there it seemed much hotter than when it's around 105 to 110 here in phoenix

[Fourputt]

16 minutes ago, PhxHacker said:

Yea, 105* is playable. Not many courses have shade here in phoenix though. But it is amazing how the shade from a little Palo Verde tree can lower the heat index. I grew up in Denver and when it was mid 90's there it seemed much hotter than when it's around 105 to 110 here in phoenix

I think that it's partly what you are acclimated to.  I've played here in the Denver area in triple digit temps, and even in the 90's I park under a tree between shots if possible.  I teed off at Palm Springs in early September at 1:00 PM, temperature was 106°.  That was a long day of really bad golf.

[9wood]

3 hours ago, PhxHacker said:

Yea, 105* is playable. Not many courses have shade here in phoenix though. But it is amazing how the shade from a little Palo Verde tree can lower the heat index. I grew up in Denver and when it was mid 90's there it seemed much hotter than when it's around 105 to 110 here in phoenix

It's a world of difference between a 105 degree day and no humidity day and a 90 degree day with 85% humidity. The former is bearable, but the latter is unbearable. 

[natureboy]

Thunderstorms and heat index near 100 or more.

[krupa]

Apparently mid-to-upper 90s will also keep people off the course. 

[Patch]

2 hours ago, krupa said:

Apparently mid-to-upper 90s will also keep people off the course. 

I wish mid-to-upper 90s would keep folks home out here. The courses would be almost empty for the next 4+ months. 

[Ernest Jones]

The only time the weather is too bad to play, is when the course is closed. 

Unless there's lightening, no need to be an idiot...

[McObra]

We don't usually have to deal with cold or rain here. I usually draw the line when the temp gets above 115F.

[Patch]

7 hours ago, McObra said:

We don't usually have to deal with cold or rain here. I usually draw the line when the temp gets above 115F.

A group of us will be playing at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, about mid August. Temps will soring there, but it's a dry heat......

[longdrive23]

15 hours ago, Ernest Jones said:

The only time the weather is too bad to play, is when the course is closed. 

Unless there's lightening, no need to be an idiot...

:) can't put it any better!

Edited May 29, 2016 by longdrive23

[cutchemist42]

Las tyear was my first year golfing in Wpg, but started slightly late. I started late May, but the season started late April. I gold until late October, and it was fine if you dressed up, but the course was just littered with goose crap. I had friends who didnt want to bother with goose crap October golf.

That afternoon was 4 degrees C, I could see myself golfing down to -5 with proper clothing and no wind.

I played a fluke May round this year that was -1 degrees but the wind chill was harsh, and I didnt like it.

Edited May 30, 2016 by cutchemist42

[Tod]

I have to amend my response. My son and I gave up after four holes yesterday when the rain became so heavy the greens were ponding and we couldn't putt more than a few feet at a time.