As the chilly weather sets in, it becomes increasingly challenging to discover favourable weather conditions for practicing golf. The closure of some golf courses during winter further limits opportunities for playing a round. Additionally, our motivation may dwindle due to the colder temperatures, and we might feel inclined to take a break during the winter months. However, come summer and the start of golf season, we may find our swing lacking precision. To prevent this from happening, Millbrook Resort’s NZPGA professional golf coach, Mitchell Newport, offers valuable tips on playing golf during winter.
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Don’t forget to warm up: Our body and muscles are stiffer and take longer to loosen up on cold mornings. Whether it be stretches or hitting balls at the driving range, try to get at least one of these in before teeing off.
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Layer up: This might sound obvious but try adding layers with thermals and even a vest. Less bulky items of clothing will help maximise your range of motion, whilst still keeping you warm enough.
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Play it forward: Don’t take the fun out of the day, winter golf is already hard enough this far south! If you’re toying with which tees to play from, choose the shorter option. This will make the day more enjoyable as opposed to making it a slog.
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The cold affects how far the ball travels: While the ball goes further here in the summer due to the elevation, it is very much the opposite in winter. The optimal temperature for a ball to fly its maximum distance is between 21 and 32 degrees Celsius. Take this into account when choosing your club. A longer club with a softer swing would benefit in colder temperatures.
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Consider walking over carting: Another way to keep warm is pushing or carrying your bag, instead of going straight for the golf cart. This keeps the blood circulation while also getting your daily step count in.
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Tips for playing on wet grass: When the turf is wet, there is a premium on clean contact. When hitting a stock chip, try to have the ball in the middle of your stance and your weight favouring your left side. This helps to prevent the leading edge of the club getting stuck in the ground, while making the low point at or slightly after the ball.
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Tips for playing on wet sand: Playing out of wet and compacted sand is tricky, but there’s a couple things we can do to make it easier. If you’re in a wet bunker, only slightly open the club face. We also want to feel like we pick the club up more in the backswing and drop it down firmly into the sand and follow through. This will help you get the club into the sand more easily and improve your bunker play this winter.
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Get the most out of your driver: The wet fairways don’t lend themselves to much roll out from your tee shots, so we want to try optimising our carry distance instead. Make sure your ball position is in line with the inside of your left heel. This helps us hit slightly up on the ball and create a higher launch with more carry. You can also try tinkering with your driver and add loft to it. This will launch the ball higher and make it slightly easier to present a squarer club face at impact.
Most importantly, Mitchell emphasises not stressing about the score and continuing to have fun with your game. Golf is hard enough as it is, and winter golf only makes it more difficult. Expect to shoot a few shots worse when it’s cold and windy, even the pros struggle in these sort of conditions.
Following Mitchell’s winter checklist can give you a significant edge in your golf game during the winter months, ultimately leading to substantial benefits once the main golf season rolls around again.
If you’re looking to enhance your golf skills and take your game to the next level, consider booking a session with one of Millbrook’s professional coaches. Find out more
