Winter Threads for Golf - What Works for Warmth

[Mr. Desmond]

Now that colder temps are approaching, although weather seems to go up and down lately, what does everyone do to keep warm when playing? That is, if you play.

And why not plan a trip to a warmer clime, let's say Florida, California, Oregon, Texas, the Southeast, and Southwest, so you can get your golf fix. But even in those climes, the weather is liable to get chili, wet, and windy.

What I typically do is layer, so as conditions change, the clothes change during a round.

Over the years, I've accumulated "stuff" for winter/spring golf. I found a merino wool baselayer top, and also have a polyester baselayer, over that I will use a heavier polo like State Apparel, then a lambswool pullover zip sweater (proquipgolfusa), and a goretex shell. For pants, why not cords? I also use State Apparel pants - a heavier poly pant with places to wipe off mud and some water resistance. I found a pair of Adidas Thermo golf shoes last year. I pack a winter beanie, a bucket hat for rain, and Footjoy Winter and Callaway Rain Gloves - whatever was on sale at the time. For socks, I go wool - Kentwool. I am ready for Bandon .... just need a game. lol.

What works for you? Plan that trip, if possible, so you get a golf break from old man Winter.

[DaveP043]

6 minutes ago, Mr. Desmond said:

What I typically do is layer, so as conditions change, the clothes change during a round.

Over the years, I've accumulated "stuff" for winter/spring golf. I found a merino wool baselayer top, and also have a polyester baselayer, over that I will use a heavier polo like State Apparel, then a lambswool pullover zip sweater (proquipgolfusa), and a goretex shell. For pants, why not cords? I also use State Apparel pants - a heavier poly pant with places to wipe off mud and some water resistance. I found a pair of Adidas Thermo golf shoes last year. I pack a winter beanie, a bucket hat for rain, and Footjoy Winter and Callaway Rain Gloves - whatever was on sale at the time. For socks, I go wool - Kentwool. I am ready for Bandon .... just need a game. lol.

What works for you? Plan that trip, if possible, so you get a golf break from old man Winter.

I'm largely the same, layers.  I have a number of very light silk mock-T's that are nice in the winter.  Added warmth, but very little bulk.  Over my polo or long-sleeve shirt I like wearing a vest, especially wool, again to add core warmth without bulk around the arms and shoulders. Outer layers are intended to cut the wind.  My favorites for the coldest weather are wool sweaters lined with GoreTex.  Add in a cap to cover my ears and winter golf gloves, and I'm ready to play in temps near freezing.   Even with all the right gear, tho, I don't mind taking a little time away from the game during January and February.  I get my week at Pinehurst at Thanksgiving, and this year we're once again spending a week in Palm Springs in January, but outside of that I don't play a ton of winter golf.

[Groucho Valentine]

I rock those spandexy workout pant things, a thin mock turtleneck, some type of sweater with gortex rain pants and FJ wind breaker on top. Ive played in that set up in below freezing temps and never felt cold. 

[Dave2512]

Fortunately the courses we play are casual in the winter, even the private courses look the other way concerning dress code. My go to is a light North Face hoodie over compression mock and heavy canvas Columbia pants. They key is warm hands and dry feet so I keep hand warmers in the pockets and appropriate socks and shoes.

Though I'm not die-hard enough for golf under 30 degrees or so and in CO after a few weeks of cold weather that is no jacket and long shorts weather if it's sunny and calm.

[Valleygolfer]

We had a big thread on this last year. Could not locate it though. I use athletic thermal wear like UA cold gear. Often have disposable hand warmers and try to walk the course. Fall is tougher to golf in because the skin is thin.

[Patch]

I have golfed in my ski pants and jacket. Then again out here the cold weather is not that bad 95% of the time. If the wind chill factor is really low, I don't usually golf in it.....as a rule. 

I say "as a rule" because every winter, one of my friends will want to go play "ice golf". Tough to turn down the challenge.

What I always do in addition to wearing two golf gloves, is wear two cooking mittens over my golf gloves between shots. I get them at the $1.00 stores for a couple of bucks. They slip on, and off easy. If there is a little moisture in  the air, they keep my golf gloves dry. Main thing is they keep the cold out of my hands. Toasty warm hands are better than cold hands when golfing, especially on those pesky mis-hits. 

[Buckeyebowman]

7 hours ago, Valleygolfer said:

We had a big thread on this last year. Could not locate it though. I use athletic thermal wear like UA cold gear. Often have disposable hand warmers and try to walk the course. Fall is tougher to golf in because the skin is thin.

Couldn't agree more! That stuff is like magic. Layering is important, but the first layer should be UA. I was convinced by a friend who was a huge non-believer at first. Then, he wound up with a job where he'd spend an entire Winter night on a gas drilling rig working outside.  Other guys he worked with clued him in. He bought a set and was an instant convert. He's a string bean, 6'3" and maybe 180-185 soaking wet with legs like tooth picks. But he can sit on a deer stand all day in freezing weather and not get cold!

[CarlSpackler]

Winter threads? I'll go with shorts and a breathable polo shirt. 

[dennyjones]

22 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

Winter threads? I'll go with shorts and a breathable polo shirt. 

Got a spare room you'd rent out?  I'm sure you haven't forgotten northern winters yet.

[CarlSpackler]

22 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

Got a spare room you'd rent out?  I'm sure you haven't forgotten northern winters yet.

I hope to forget them real soon. I spent today at the beach and worked on my tan. 

[boogielicious]

9 hours ago, CarlSpackler said:

I hope to forget them real soon. I spent today at the beach and worked on my tan. 

You're mean!

We'll have the same laugh at you in July when it's 98 and humid in Orlando with constant thunderstorms! 

I do layers. In the 40s, I can get away with a thermal base layer as @Valleygolfer mentioned and a thin fleece top. Once I get moving, I warm up pretty quickly. I will also wear warmer pants if necessary and a wind breaker if windy. The temp is not as much a factor as the wind.

[dennyjones]

Maybe we can compromise...  He can send some warmth our way, we'll send some snow his way.  

Tuesday we are expecting 70s.   

[CarlSpackler]

11 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

You're mean!

We'll have the same laugh at you in July when it's 98 and humid in Orlando with constant thunderstorms! 

I moved here in early July, right in the heart of the wet season. I was definitely hot and humid, but I still played. You just park in the shade and drink lots of fluids.

6 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

Maybe we can compromise...  He can send some warmth our way, we'll send some snow his way.  

Tuesday we are expecting 70s.   

No thanks. I'll pass.

[boogielicious]

8 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

I moved here in early July, right in the heart of the wet season. I was definitely hot and humid, but I still played. You just park in the shade and drink lots of fluids.

That would kill me. I actually prefer playing in the 50s to playing in the high 80s or 90s. I sweat like Kevin Youkilis! Heck, I sweat when I play in the 50s! 

[David in FL]

10 hours ago, CarlSpackler said:

Winter threads? I'll go with shorts and a breathable polo shirt. 

Big words....wait til that first really cold day that dips down to the mid-50's!

 

Honestly though, it's kind of tricky down here because 40 and damp at tee time can become 65 and sunny by the turn.  A layer of UA under a polo with a wind jacket over.  Shorts with wind pants over.  That covers most of the bases.

[CarlSpackler]

14 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Big words....wait til that first really cold day that dips down to the mid-50's!

 

Honestly though, it's kind of tricky down here because 40 and damp at tee time can become 65 and sunny by the turn.  A layer of UA under a polo with a wind jacket over.  Shorts with wind pants over.  That covers most of the bases.

 I'm more of an afternoon golfer anyway. 

27 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

That would kill me. I actually prefer playing in the 50s to playing in the high 80s or 90s. I sweat like Kevin Youkilis! Heck, I sweat when I play in the 50s! 

It's definitive hot and not very comfortable, but it's better than Ohio where your clubs are sitting in the garage doing nothing for 3-4 months. 

[Mr. Desmond]

I played in MA 2 wks ago - 40's upon arrival at the range, and then 60-70 from  10 am on - had the heavier winter pants, polo and light pullover on - not uncomfortable but sweater came off quickly. I could have worn the plaid wools - at least it would have been amusement for others. But I don't travel with the plaids any longer. lol.

[Valleygolfer]

11 minutes ago, Mr. Desmond said:

I played in MA 2 wks ago - 40's upon arrival at the range, and then 60-70 from  10 am on - had the heavier winter pants, polo and light pullover on - not uncomfortable but sweater came off quickly. I could have worn the plaid wools - at least it would have been amusement for others. But I don't travel with the plaids any longer. lol.

Should of let us know you were up here...