Golf Talk With Greg Holman – #39

Click play to listen to Greg’s Podcast, or read below.

Today we’re going to talk about playing in hot weather.

Playing golf in hot humid weather is similar to playing golf in rainy weather. In both cases you are dealing with moisture. Moisture on your face, arms and hands worse yet, the grips. Take along extra towels and wear a hat and sunscreen. Make sure after you apply the sunscreen that you dry off your hands real good so they don’t feel slippery on a grip that is already slippery. Wipe off your grips frequently, including your putter and watch where you lay your clubs. Laying them down on a wet fringe or green defeats the purpose. If there isn’t a sign that says something like keep carts 30 feet from greens, that you can rest your club against, use the flagstick or take out a tee and rest the grip on top of it.

It’s also a good idea to bring along an ice cold towel for your face. Wet it with water from the drinking coolers often and wear it around your neck if it’s really hot. Make sure you drink plenty of water too even if you aren’t thirsty. Fill your bottled water container with water from the cooler that the greenskeeper should have on each tee. If water isn’t available on the course, swing by the clubhouse for a large ice water.

Even before you play though, get yourself mentally and physically ready. Don’t be a Gary Player or Tiger Woods and wear black. Wear light loose-fitting clothing. Eat a light breakfast or lunch before you play, but eat something. A tuna salad sandwich or caesar salad is better than a double cheeseburger. Water is better than a milkshake or soda or beer. You can celebrate after the round. Also before your round, do some stretching, which you should do anyway and hit ten balls or a small bucket but don’t overdo it.

If you’re going to play golf in July or August in Missouri, you are going to play in some hot humid weather or not play at all. Abide by some of the tips I provided and you’ll have an enjoyable experience.

Now go play and enjoy that extra ten yards you will get in the summer heat along with some extra roll.

Hit ’em straight!