Better Golf in Hot Weather

Better Golf in Hot Weather is a short golf blog post that looks at ways of helping your game in the high temperatures. Being comfortable on the golf course is key to playing good golf. The best way of doing this in hot weather is by staying cool! There are plenty of ways of keeping your body temperature down whilst playing golf. The only problem is that not many people realise what they are doing wrong. We are like lemmings; what one person does, the others tend to follow without actually knowing the facts. I believe that it is the right thing to do without having done any research on the matter. So let me show you what you can do to keep cool and help your game during the hot days on the links. Better Golf in Hot Weather Stay Hydrated This is the number one cause of poor performance in high temperatures. A 2% loss of body fluids is enough to start you off on a slippery slope to dehydration and its effects. The brain needs to remain hydrated to perform efficiently. When dehydrated, the brain cells cannot perform normally, and so they go into overdrive. They work harder to function properly, which eventually leads to fatigue and changes in mood. This will lead to poor decision-making, a lack of attention and poor focus. So, which drinks are good for us and which drinks can be harmful to us? Do not drink Caffeine. Coffee is a nightmare, and so is black tea. White or Green tea is much better for you before a round of golf. Avoid any alcohol like the plague. Carbonated alcoholic drinks dehydrate you, too. Even if they taste good, they will catch up to you eventually. Avoid any carbonated soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Fanta, Irn Bru or any of your favourite fizzy drinks. Stick to good old water or any non-carbonated isotonic fluids. Make sure that your drinks are not ice cold! If so, your body will react to the cold temperature by heating itself up. Drinking warm fluids will help cool your body down as it sweats more. Your body is made up of 60% – 75% water. During a typical round of golf, your body will lose up to 2 litres of fluid when the temperature is 20°C. This means that over the 4 hours on the course, you should be drinking around 500ml per hour just to replace the fluids you lose through sweating. Do not be tempted to drink 500ml in one go. You should be sipping your liquids often. When the temperatures are higher, your body will lose even more liquid. UV Umbrellas When buying an umbrella for golf, make sure you buy one with UV protection for the summer. Believe it or not, these are not just for the rain. They can help keep direct sunlight from you, too. Have an umbrella holder attached to your trolley, so your umbrella can be used as a sunshade. Refrigerated wrist bands Don’t knock it until you try it. Keep a pair of wrist bands in the fridge overnight and take them with you on the course. I have even tried this on my ankles, too. It may sound a little crazy, but it does work. Keeping wrists and ankles cool will help cool down your entire body. Headwear It is really important to keep your head covered from the direct sunlight. This will help against the harmful UV rays and help regulate your body temperature. The best types of hats to wear in the sun are those with wide brims. Sunglasses Eye protection is vital. I know sunlight is good for vitamin D, but not direct sunlight into the eyes. Different shades of lenses improve certain light or colours. As a golfer, try these out until you find the ones that help you see the undulations of the greens. UV Protective Clothing Long-sleeved shirts with UV protection are highly recommended for playing in the heat. Even if you prefer a short-sleeved shirt, at least make sure it has UV protection. Working on that sun tan is not helping your golf. Cooler Tee Times During long periods of warm weather, it is crucial to stay out of the midday sun. Choose earlier tee times where you are finished playing before the sun has reached its peak. Alternatively, try playing in the evenings when the sun is not as strong. If you do prefer a midday tee time, then at least consider playing just 9 holes instead. Handheld Fans A simple way of helping you feel cooler in the hot weather. They are cheap to buy and small enough to fit into your golf bag. Have I missed something? Do you have any other ways of keeping cool on the golf course? What are your thoughts on Better Golf in Hot Weather? Please leave a comment by completing my Contact Form. To read more of my golf blog posts, click here. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay