GOLF TIP
by Sue Bower"Playing in Bad Weather"
Everybody
likes to play on a nice sunny day, but don't put those clubs away just because it's a
little wet or cold. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a round in bad
weather, and you'll feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment when you overcome the
elements to shoot a good score.
It it's cold, dress in clothes that are warm but not bulky. A wool sweater is better than cotton or polyester. Dress in layers so you can add and subtract garments as the day goes on. Perhaps start with an undershirt, then a regular shirt or a turtleneck sweater, then a vest, then on top a wool sweater or a lined GoreTex® wind shirt. For the lower body, wear an extra pair of socks and, if it's really cold, wear long johns under loose fitting wool pants. And don't forget the top of your hear, since 80% of your body heat is lost there. Wear a wool stocking cap you can pull over your ears. Finally, WALK instead of riding in a cart. If you must ride, get a wind screen for the front of the cart, and place a towel or blanket on the seat.
If it's wet, play with waterproof shoes and a high quality rain suit (the cheap ones are worthless). GoreTex® is the best, although it's expensive. Bring a towel and store it in the spokes of your umbrella to keep it dry. Bring an extra towel, extra gloves and extra socks, and store them in zip lock bags to keep them dry. Keep your hands warm with gloves or hand warmers.
The most CRITICAL think about playing in the rain is keeping the grips on your clubs dry. Dry your hands and the grip before every swing. Also before each swing, check your posture--it's easy to get into an overly cramped position with rain clothes, so make sure your arms can swing freely. In rain or cold, the ball won't go as far, so hit at least one more club on your approach shots.