Anyone else LOVE colder weather? Is your course empty?

[RoyalMustang]

Yesterday here in DFW, I went out at around 3pm. It was brisk: mid to high 40's and with a steady 15-20mph wind out of the north, if you were in an exposed area. In the trees the wind really didn't feel like much. NWS said it was high 30's wind chill for the most part. Certainly not Edmonton in January. 

 

I walked 12 while working on some things and was out there for about 2 hours before dark. It was awesome! Nobody on the course. Several people walking dogs who saw me told me I was "brave" as if I was storming a pillbox in WWII Italy. What I wore? T-shirt, thin windproof jacket, vest, regular pants, stocking cap, insulated golf gloves. No big deal; it wasn't ski parka weather. I'd take these conditions year-round. It sure beats the heck out of having to consume 150 ounces of water per round just to stay hydrated in August. 

 

There is no bad weather, only bad gear. I'd be interested to hear if your home course is like this, or if people just put on some layers and go play when it's on the cooler or wetter side. 

[Mcfly]

Depends.  40 degrees with a north wind at Lake Park in Lewisville is a lot worse than the same conditions at Sherrill Park in Plano.  Once your hands and fingers get cold enough to impact feel, your ability to work on anything touch related is pretty much done, but at least you get the benefit of an outdoor walk with fresh air.   

[Warrior42111]

As a FL resident I hate it, all the dang snowbirds thinking they own everything (some snark some sarcasm some truth)

[jholz]

I'm happy to play year round in the mid-atlantic and will do so as long as one can get a peg in the ground. I'm not a big fan of playing on frozen turf.

 

But, cool and crappy will make you think about club selection and course strategy a bit differently - and prices get quite a bit more friendly too. 

[Ferguson]

39 minutes ago, jholz said:

I'm happy to play year round in the mid-atlantic and will do so as long as one can get a peg in the ground. I'm not a big fan of playing on frozen turf.

 

But, cool and crappy will make you think about club selection and course strategy a bit differently - and prices get quite a bit more friendly too. 

 

In the Mid-Atlantic (Virginia), if the sun is out and ambient in the 40s, it's rather nice to play golf.

 

[Boricua Golf]

Just like @Ferguson said, here in VA (Fredericksburg area) the sun comes out and the mid 40s is not too bad to play in, sadly next week it's supposed to snow and be very cold, so no golf for me...

[EdY]

I’m in the fergy and barracuda camp. Will go to 40* and sunny with low winds even high 30s and no wind is not too bad with the right clothes. In 5+ mph winds, anything below 45 and hands become useless after 9. 

[SEP1006]

I hate cold weather, live just south of Houston so not a big deal most of the time. I retired 4 years ago so weather pending pretty much play 36 a day. EXCEPT when it's below 50*, since I can play every day now that is my limit. 

 

I'm just the opposite of @RoyalMustang. I like it when its 100* and the course is empty, I'll take that every day.

[jholz]

34 minutes ago, Boricua Golf said:

Just like @Ferguson said, here in VA (Fredericksburg area) the sun comes out and the mid 40s is not too bad to play in, sadly next week it's supposed to snow and be very cold, so no golf for me...

 

This year hasn't been too bad so far - but that fall/winter/early spring Mid-Atlantic (north Maryland) weather pattern...

 

you know the one...

 

Sunny and 57* M-F. But, 2 inches of rain scheduled for every weekend...

 

It just never fails. 

 

I'm hoping to get out on MLK Monday - we will see if I am dodging snowflakes.  

Edited January 10 by jholz

[jwhite86]

I don't mind the cold... It takes a lot for me to feel cold... Different game in different conditions.

 

Courses take a hit come September, but there is a pretty large group of guys around here (Wisconsin) that will golf until the snow comes

[tatertot]

Every course in my area is wide open ... that happens when you get 12 inches of snow and 20+ winds.

[Pepperturbo]

4 hours ago, RoyalMustang said:

Yesterday here in DFW, I went out at around 3pm. It was brisk: mid to high 40's and with a steady 15-20mph wind out of the north, if you were in an exposed area. In the trees the wind really didn't feel like much. NWS said it was high 30's wind chill for the most part. Certainly not Edmonton in January. 

 

I walked 12 while working on some things and was out there for about 2 hours before dark. It was awesome! Nobody on the course. Several people walking dogs who saw me told me I was "brave" as if I was storming a pillbox in WWII Italy. What I wore? T-shirt, thin windproof jacket, vest, regular pants, stocking cap, insulated golf gloves. No big deal; it wasn't ski parka weather. I'd take these conditions year-round. It sure beats the heck out of having to consume 150 ounces of water per round just to stay hydrated in August. 

 

There is no bad weather, only bad gear. I'd be interested to hear if your home course is like this, or if people just put on some layers and go play when it's on the cooler or wetter side. 

Nope, temps in SOCA are not normally like that. 

 

I grew up in snow country, so cooler temps are more to my liking.  Recently played La Purisima Golf Club up north wearing shorts in 40+' am temps.  My bones, however, take forever to loosen up...grr.

[GolfGuitarsCars]

Not crowded because it’s cart path only due to rain.  I’m too old for that.

Edited January 10 by GolfGuitarsCars

[st1800e]

LOVE colder weather? Is your course empty?

 

No and yes. 
 

Just read the forecast, it’ll be -41 here Friday night.  Will watch Hawaii.  😉

 

 

Edited January 11 by st1800e
Update.

[br61]

5 hours ago, Ferguson said:

 

In the Mid-Atlantic (Virginia), if the sun is out and ambient in the 40s, it's rather nice to play golf.

 

Yep, it's how I feel in SW Missouri. If it isn't windy, a day in 40's and sunny does feel really a beautiful day for golf for us cold weather golfers.

Edited January 11 by br61

[BYK]

The crappier the weather, hot or cold, rain or whatever the fewer people.

Makes whatever the weather issue is worth it to me.

[2Down]

Got the clothes, many have cart covers and heaters.   Another mid atlantic -Maryland - and I will play frozen tundra golf. Lot of fun. Gotta play bump and run. And to put a tee in the ground I keep my driver torque wrench handy.  Others will use a driving range style rubber tee. Tie a sinker to them though they can disappear.  If you use the torque wrench bring enough tees, they rarely survive.  

[kekoa]

You guys are troopers.  It was 62* here in socal and I was quite cold.  I could still play golf, but I think my limit is 50-55*.  At that temp, I will golf, but won't have much fun.   I much prefer when there is a light drizzle outside and that is when our course is wide open!!

[ANimz]

I try to play year round, but always end up with a portion of time that I can't.  I will play in the 30's if the sun is out and no wind.  40's I will usually be out there unless its a very strong wind.  This winter has not worked out for me though.  50's on work days and 30's on days off with rain/snow flurries.  Next week is supposed to be in the teens, so I am to a point where I need to look at playing at the screen golf place here in town.  I typically have a beanie over my hat, walking, and that usually comes off after 5 holes or so.  Fleece Q-Zip and pants or fleece joggers if it is cold. 

[CyFan]

Anyone on the courses here today is either snowshoeing or cross country skiing, we got 10 inches of snow on Tuesday.   But several of the local courses do stay open when the high temp is over 40F and the snow is clear…and I’m out there playing.

[Greenie]

I used to love going out this time of year when there are very few on the course. 

I guess I have to always complain about something. In recent years even though there are very few people out there playing I have run into more fivesomes on the course. I don't have a problem with fivesomes when the course is almost empty and they let you play through but I don't understand why these groups refuse to let you play through. The option of you can skip a hole seems selfish to me. 

[Golfbit2X]

Whereabouts is DFW?

 

Anyway, out here in Long Island, NY, the public tracks are rarely empty during winter season. 

 

Being close to the warmer Atlantic Ocean has its advantages and we've been enjoying an extended "snow drought" with no major snowstorms/ snow cover for the past 3 years - knock on wood...

 

In fact, almost all the weekend tee times before noon are snapped up at least 4 days before for the popular public tracks like Bethpage and Eisenhower when the weather is in the 40s.

 

I look forward to playing when it gets down to below freezing as the tee times get freed up a little bit so online reservations usually isn't necessary. 

 

For gear, I tend to dress in layers with up to 4 layers, mostly thin grid fleece material with a hybrid jacket.

 

My thinking is to be toasty in order for my body to warm up and perspire a little bit rather than dressing lightly but feel chilly. 

 

 

[SnowbirdTom]

DFW is Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.  Been out the past three days in Houston, but lots of stiff breezes kept it interesting. Gusts to 40 on Tuesday. Wheeee!

[WilderMan]

Yes I enjoy the cooler Temps in fall and spring around here, 90+ for 3 months in the summer makes walking unpleasant and the few weeks of 100+ aren't really worth the effort.  Played 18 years new years eve, high temp above 40, sunny, no wind, it was spectacular and 3.5 hours as a bonus.  Could get a tee into the ground on nearly half the tee boxes, and a couple of the greens weren't frozen solid.  Course is wide open now, 4-8" of snow expected the next 48 hours and high Temps of 20 deg predicted for next week.  Only 4 weeks till my trip to Tucson, gonna play the tin cup course and eat at the waffle house.

[Boricua Golf]

16 hours ago, jholz said:

 

This year hasn't been too bad so far - but that fall/winter/early spring Mid-Atlantic (north Maryland) weather pattern...

 

you know the one...

 

Sunny and 57* M-F. But, 2 inches of rain scheduled for every weekend...

 

It just never fails. 

 

I'm hoping to get out on MLK Monday - we will see if I am dodging snowflakes.  

@jholzI totally understand, as you know next week we are supposed to get some snow and the temps are going to drop to low 30s for highs...ouch!!!!

[rukahs]

No. NO. Winter golf in the UK SUCKS a**. 

[RoyalMustang]

21 hours ago, Mcfly said:

Depends.  40 degrees with a north wind at Lake Park in Lewisville is a lot worse than the same conditions at Sherrill Park in Plano.  Once your hands and fingers get cold enough to impact feel, your ability to work on anything touch related is pretty much done, but at least you get the benefit of an outdoor walk with fresh air.   

 

Yes-my course is mostly protected from the cold north wind. It's worst at the clubhouse and driving range, which may scare people away! Lake Park is super exposed and being near the lake, possibly more humid as well. Humidity makes everything feel colder in the winter and hotter in the summer: it's not our friend! 

[RoyalMustang]

12 hours ago, CyFan said:

Anyone on the courses here today is either snowshoeing or cross country skiing, we got 10 inches of snow on Tuesday.   But several of the local courses do stay open when the high temp is over 40F and the snow is clear…and I’m out there playing.

 

I'd give anything to be able to XC ski outside of my door! When I used to live in snow country there was nothing better than getting up early and doing a quick 1-hour ski before work. I'm thinking of getting a roller-ski setup just so I can do the same here in TX. 

[RoyalMustang]

8 hours ago, SnowbirdTom said:

DFW is Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.  Been out the past three days in Houston, but lots of stiff breezes kept it interesting. Gusts to 40 on Tuesday. Wheeee!

 

Lots of 3-woods and 4-iron low-runners for me on Tuesday, at least into the wind. I was losing 25% of normal distance; it was like playing a completely different game. 

 

The course will be closed early next week when this cold front comes through, so no golf for me. At my course they won't let anyone onto the course if it's under 38 degrees or so. Must be a grass type that can't handle cold weather stress well. 

[Itsjustagame]

Would have to travel 100+ miles to even find a course that was open.