How to stay warm in cold weather?

[Old Golfer]

I live in New York and would like to go to the range and maybe get in a round or two before the real winter shows up. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what to wear that will keep me warm? Thermal shirt, thermal underwear? I've heard about Under Armour and Nike just to name two. 

[MarvChamp]

45 minutes ago, Old Golfer said:

I live in New York and would like to go to the range and maybe get in a round or two before the real winter shows up. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what to wear that will keep me warm? Thermal shirt, thermal underwear? I've heard about Under Armour and Nike just to name two. 

I'm also an Old Golfer (or will be again when the carpal is taken care of). Anyway, yes, those brands are good. I look for thermal underlayers for skiing. Generally light and thin. Then a couple of light layers over that as needed. Never too restrictive. We have "blue northers" though, seldom the blizzards you get! Best wishes, -Marv

[billchao]

2 hours ago, Old Golfer said:

I live in New York and would like to go to the range and maybe get in a round or two before the real winter shows up. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what to wear that will keep me warm? Thermal shirt, thermal underwear? I've heard about Under Armour and Nike just to name two. 

Definitely dress in layers. There are different types if thermal underwear made by all sorts of companies that will do the trick. Some materials are designed to fit snug, others can be more loose. The type you want is up to your personal preference.

I like to alternate my layers and tuck my thermal undershirt into my thermal underpants. It's ridiculously geeky but I find that the shirt doesn't get untucked as easily this way, even if my polo does. I'll also wear long socks, wool if it is really cold.

I wear my regular golf attire above that, then a microfleece pullover. If it is about 40 or below, I'll put on a winter vest. I like the vest because it keeps me warm without restricting my arms with one more layer.

To protect my head, I wear a skullcap hat. A good pair of winter golf gloves is also essential. That always ends up being the coldest part of my body. That and my feet, but there's not much more I can do about that.

If I get warm out there I can shed some outer layers easily, which important, too. 

[DeadMan]

I think people have mostly covered it, but here are my tips:

1. Layers - I will generally wear 2 layers under about 55 degrees, 3 under 45. 
2. WALK. This is really helpful - walking keeps your blood flowing and warms you up. I will not ride in cold weather, because you just stay cold.
3. Winter hat and gloves. Hands will be the coldest part of your body in the cold, and you sort of need them to golf. Make sure you have winter gloves to wear the entire time. Hat is essential, too, because you'll be cold if your head is cold.

[Old Golfer]

6 hours ago, MarvChamp said:

I'm also an Old Golfer (or will be again when the carpal is taken care of). Anyway, yes, those brands are good. I look for thermal underlayers for skiing. Generally light and thin. Then a couple of light layers over that as needed. Never too restrictive. We have "blue northers" though, seldom the blizzards you get! Best wishes, -Marv

Thanks for the suggestion. I will look at some ski thermals.

1 hour ago, DeadMan said:

I think people have mostly covered it, but here are my tips:

1. Layers - I will generally wear 2 layers under about 55 degrees, 3 under 45. 
2. WALK. This is really helpful - walking keeps your blood flowing and warms you up. I will not ride in cold weather, because you just stay cold.
3. Winter hat and gloves. Hands will be the coldest part of your body in the cold, and you sort of need them to golf. Make sure you have winter gloves to wear the entire time. Hat is essential, too, because you'll be cold if your head is cold.

Thanks. Quick question. Any particular kind or brand of winter gloves?

[DeadMan]

13 minutes ago, Old Golfer said:

Thanks. Quick question. Any particular kind or brand of winter gloves?

I just got the cheapest pair of winter golf gloves that Golf Galaxy had. I think they're Snake Eye gloves, actually. Served me just fine.

[nevets88]

A diehard golfer told me a long time ago and I've yet to follow up - get a good high quality cashmere sweater. Still dunno how effective it is. 

[jamo]

14 hours ago, billchao said:

I like to alternate my layers and tuck my thermal undershirt into my thermal underpants. It's ridiculously geeky but I find that the shirt doesn't get untucked as easily this way, even if my polo does.

That's a good tip. I do it as well.

[Patch]

Go to your local dollar store and pick up a pair of barbeque mittens. They are large enough to fit over your playing gloves, and are easy on, and off. Wear them between shots when playing. 

[Old Golfer]

9 hours ago, DeadMan said:

I just got the cheapest pair of winter golf gloves that Golf Galaxy had. I think they're Snake Eye gloves, actually. Served me just fine.

Great. I'll check them out.

[Groucho Valentine]

10 hours ago, nevets88 said:

A diehard golfer told me a long time ago and I've yet to follow up - get a good high quality cashmere sweater. Still dunno how effective it is. 

He's right. I don't know what it is about that material but it just keeps me warmer than wool sweaters despite being much lighter. I cant recall the maker of mine, but they're worth the extra expense. 

[Old Golfer]

1 hour ago, Patch said:

Go to your local dollar store and pick up a pair of barbeque mittens. They are large enough to fit over your playing gloves, and are easy on, and off. Wear them between shots when playing. 

That's interesting 

[nevets88]

57 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

He's right. I don't know what it is about that material but it just keeps me warmer than wool sweaters despite being much lighter. I cant recall the maker of mine, but they're worth the extra expense. 

I have thin cashmere sweaters, and they keep you warm for how light they are. Maybe I'll trying doubling up.

[Kalnoky]

17 hours ago, billchao said:

To protect my head, I wear a skullcap hat.

+1 The old Nike (20XI/VRS) beanies are fleece lined, and sleek (unlike bulky mountaineering caps). Anyway, there used to be a lot of new old stock on eBay for relatively inexpensive. I highly recommend them. 

Also I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but I have to go one (1) size smaller in the winter gloves. At least the the FJ ones expand when they get damp. 

[pganapathy]

For me personally I find that layering is very difficult. At most I could wear two layers.  If I had to play in cold weather my personal solution would be to have a nice jacket that will keep you warm and just take it off for your shot and then wear it again. In the rain I don't wear another layer of rain gear. An umbrella is all I can use

[billchao]

7 hours ago, Kalnoky said:

Also I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but I have to go one (1) size smaller in the winter gloves. At least the the FJ ones expand when they get damp. 

No, not yet anyway. I lost my old pair of winter gloves so I just bought a new pair over the weekend. I used threir fitting chart and they fit perfectly, but I haven't had the chance to play with them yet.

I don't know that I'd use them if it is wet out anyway. That's what rain gloves are for and they don't have all that extra padding to get soaked. Honestly, if it is cold enough out that I'd need winter gloves and raining enough that I'd need rain gloves, I'll stay home and drink hot cocoa. 

[Typhoon92]

I played today and it was coooold.  Mid 30's but a 25-40 mph north wind.  Wind chills in the lower 20's.

I wore too much...

T shirt, UA compression Turtleneck cold gear, UA long sleeve fitted cold gear top, 3/4 zip sweatshirt and a windshirt.  Downstairs was just UA compression cold gear and corduroy pants.

I swung like crap.  I tried using my FJ rain gloves thinking they would be warmer than just one golf glove but the things are slippery when not wet.  Took them off after 4 holes.

Not sure I really like the compression fit for golf anymore.  I scored well due to better focus because I hit a lot of squirrelly shots.

I think I need maybe a turtleneck cold gear non compression, short sleeve golf shirt and a vest.  See how that goes.

[JonMA1]

30 minutes ago, Typhoon92 said:

Mid 30's but a 25-40 mph north wind.

I consider myself a cold weather golfer, but that's brutal.

Mid 30's I can handle. Mid-30's with a 25 mph wind.... probably not.