Playing in the Heat

[rony]

What is a good rule to follow when it comes to temperature/humidity for Seniors? I have to be honest and say I'm thinking about that more and more. We all know why!! :rolleyes:

[MrParr1Noid]

When you know it's going to be one of those "real" not days? In the morning, before your round? Take smaller sips of whiskey, don't just chug it down.

Riding always helps. You get that air circulation more than you do walking.

Really isn't much you can do that you don't already know about. Eat sensible, drink plenty of water prior to your round, sunscreen, wide brim hats. I've gone to long sleeves...Loose fitting shorts But no knee high wool socks.

[NCJaguar5]

Water, water, water.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.
Shade, shade, shade.

[bpark1210]

After a solid weak of heat advisory here in Seattle (reached 103º a record) I can tell you golfing in high heat/humidity is no fun. I played 3X's in a week with 90º+ weather walking all 3X's. To be honest there isn't really you can do to avoid the heat. You can try carrying an umbrella but i think that looks ridiculous. One thing I can tell you is to never poor water over your head or hat. The heat will evaporate the moisture off your head making it feel 2X hotter and induce heat stroke. Heard it on the radio while all us Seattelites were whining about the weather. I actually did this on the 2nd day out and almost fainted.

Just make sure to constantly drink liquids. Like said before if possible get a cart and use the shade. Also a note the 2nd day out we played the course was watering fairways and greens during the day (i guess the grass up here doesn't take to heat well) and it made it feel more humid. You could definitely tell which parts of the fairways were watered because the temperature would soar up a few degrees in these patches. Try to play earlier in the day or later.

Also take an extra towel or too. Your hands will sweat uncontrollably, I had the hardest time gripping my clubs and keeping them dry. An extra towel would've def helped wipe down the grips.

[Yanki01]

not much you can do. playing in South Texas, 100* seems to be the normal tee off temperature between 11am-6pm. we come prepared. I take a small cooler with about 4-5 bottels of water with a couple of G2 Gatorade pouder mix, a couple of nutri-grain bars and sunscreen. I wear light shorts (under armor has some good ones), and of course any light weight, light colored golf shirt.

[Sobonator]

Golf come morning then relax

[maskedman]

As much as I like to, walking does not seem to be compatible with golf in high heat and humidity (at least not for me). Ride a cart, drink lots of liquids, and don't rush or be rushed. Works for me under those conditions. I think this is good advice for anyone of any age.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='rony' post='1878704' date='Aug 10 2009, 06:19 PM']What is a good rule to follow when it comes to temperature/humidity for Seniors? I have to be honest and say I'm thinking about that more and more. We all know why!! [/quote]

Take along a small cooler filled with ice, water and a few hand towels. Regularly wipe your arms, knees, the back of your neck; and while riding hang one over your head it will lower your body temp. It's also important to consume a drink that has sodium in it... my choice is ZERO. If it's going to be a hot one, I take one frozen and one cold ready to drink. I am 59...

[rony]

Good advice. It has been "Blistering" here for a week. I just bagged it and have been going to the ocean beaches. Sep/Oct is "Prime Time" for golf on Long Island anyway!!

[YOOFALLMAN]

[quote name='rony' post='1878704' date='Aug 10 2009, 08:19 PM']What is a good rule to follow when it comes to temperature/humidity for Seniors? I have to be honest and say I'm thinking about that more and more. We all know why!! [/quote]


Simple answer.....[b]come live in Scotland[/b]....we'll do a house swap deal !! I can guarantee that you can walk all courses and never again in your lifetime will you have to worry about 100° heat...!!

[petter7]

[quote name='NCJaguar5' post='1879069' date='Aug 10 2009, 10:54 PM']Water, water, water.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.
Shade, shade, shade.[/quote]

Great advice, plus zigzag back and forth in an electric cart to get some extra breeze!!

[nathan]

I play in a hot and humid country. There is really little more that we can do with high temp and humidity other than what we already know or practice. Keep myself hydrated while playing the game and If I really need to walk on a hot day I do it only on the front nine and take a cart on the back.

[pickerjohn]

The poster who said water (I'll drink 120 oz.'s or so in 18 holes)
Sunscreen (I like the spray on for re-application after a few hours.)
Shade ( any and as often as possible, its 10 degrees cooler.)
is spot on plus I'll add.
The shirts that are moisture wicking are a must.
Pay attention to any warning signs your body might be sending you.
Don't be a hero.

[RickK]

I agree with Yanki01. This past summer I saw a bunch of my buddies dying in the heat. For whatever reason, they just refuse to go buy any of the newer technology golf shirts and insist on wearing the hotter than blazes all cotton polo shirts. Even in light colors, 100% cotton shirts are just too hot in 100*+ heat. If you have a cooler on the cart, make sure there is ice in it. Keep wetting a towel in the cold water and pat your face and arms down frequently and lay it across the back of your neck. Also, Frogg Toggs makes something called Chilly Pad. They work pretty good. All summer this year I kept some packs of Propel drink mix in my bag to mix with bottles of water. I think they helped too when I was playing places where you could not take your own drinks with you. When I play at home, I pack the G2 Gatorade.

[Pepperturbo]

The other day it was 110 at the course, yet golf was just like any other day for me. It's amazing what a constantly iced down wash-rag will do to your forearms, back of your neck, knees, elbows, underarms and face; it actually drops the body temp for a bit. Add to that proper hydration with the right fluids and foods and golf in high, humid temps can be enjoyable. Get comfortable with those conditions and golf can be rather inexpensive too. One important suggestion - do NOT drink alcohol or eat heavy foods like those offered at the turn. Under strenuous conditions nutrition is as important to your body as water, sodium and potassium is.

What someone uses to cope with conditions can vary. What can't vary is the condition of your body which influences it's receptiveness to the items and techniques mentioned on this page. If the body isn't in good condition the suggestions on this page might provide minor improvements but that's about all.

[mike03a3]

[quote name='RickKimbrell' post='1970068' date='Sep 24 2009, 05:15 PM']I agree with Yanki01. This past summer I saw a bunch of my buddies dying in the heat. For whatever reason, they just refuse to go buy any of the newer technology golf shirts and insist on wearing the hotter than blazes all cotton polo shirts. Even in light colors, 100% cotton shirts are just too hot in 100*+ heat. If you have a cooler on the cart, make sure there is ice in it. Keep wetting a towel in the cold water and pat your face and arms down frequently and lay it across the back of your neck. Also, Frogg Toggs makes something called Chilly Pad. They work pretty good. All summer this year I kept some packs of Propel drink mix in my bag to mix with bottles of water. I think they helped too when I was playing places where you could not take your own drinks with you. When I play at home, I pack the G2 Gatorade.[/quote]

Right on. Now that October has arrived, heat isn't so much of a problem - but in August, when the temp and humidity were both close to 100, I switched to UnderArmour heatgear. I cannot describe what a difference it made. The new high-tech tee shirts, polos, and even underware & pants, from UA and others are the only way to go in the heat of Summer. Some companies even have black shirts that have all the cooling properties of UA heatgear, but are made of a unique material that reflects the sun instead of absorbing the heat. If you're still wearing cotton, give the new stuff a try. You'll be amazed.

Other than that, I echo what most everyone else has said. Sunblocker for the skin, a decent hat (I have a straw hat for when the sun it beating down, the brim keeps the sun of the back of my neck as well as out of my eyes), and KEEP HYDRATED!!!! We carry a small cooler with water, ice and sports drinks (e.g. Gatoraide). We fill the water and sports drink bottles half full and freeze them lying on their sides. Then we can refill them with more from the liquid ones in the cooler.

[retep]

someone who knows more than me about hydration should comment on the time BEFORE you play about hydration, i remember there was something about the previous night? day??? about drinking, as you could not keep up with it once you were getting thirsty or something... not sure if this gets censored, but you urine should never be anything but clear... if it is darker, you are NOT getting enough water.

[itsadryhot]

Suggestions from a desert-dweller. Get sunscreen clothing (google it). Wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts, loose fitting and light colored, white is best. Wide brim hat, sunglasses (eyes need protection too). Get a cooler-collar or wet rag and make your own evaporative cooler by hanging around your neck (like the highway workers do). In humidity it might not be very effective tho.
Hydration level management is crucial. Get a bathroom scale that measure body hydration level and try to get it as high as you can by drinking water days before your outing. Battling dehydration once you are on the course is only for survival (as your body sees it) not for making you play any better.
Don't eat greasy foods or a lot of food while on course (digestion uses up lots of water). Don't drink high fructose corn syrup drinks (EVER). Gatorade falls into this category, even GatoradeTiger. Google for better non sugar drinks, you DO need sodium or potassium out there.
An old Native American trick is pop a seed of some kind (sunflower, etc) and use it to stimulate your saliva glands (or a pebble). Oh and once you start to feel "sick" or dehydrated, your body is so far gone that you need to stop and get OUT of the heat ASAP. Heat stroke is like a big slow snowball once it gets started it just gets worse.

Stay safe out there :-)

J

[rony]

[quote name='itsadryhot' post='1988713' date='Oct 5 2009, 02:39 PM']Suggestions from a desert-dweller. Get sunscreen clothing (google it). Wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts, loose fitting and light colored, white is best. Wide brim hat, sunglasses (eyes need protection too). Get a cooler-collar or wet rag and make your own evaporative cooler by hanging around your neck (like the highway workers do). In humidity it might not be very effective tho.
Hydration level management is crucial. Get a bathroom scale that measure body hydration level and try to get it as high as you can by drinking water days before your outing. Battling dehydration once you are on the course is only for survival (as your body sees it) not for making you play any better.
Don't eat greasy foods or a lot of food while on course (digestion uses up lots of water). Don't drink high fructose corn syrup drinks (EVER). Gatorade falls into this category, even GatoradeTiger. Google for better non sugar drinks, you DO need sodium or potassium out there.
An old Native American trick is pop a seed of some kind (sunflower, etc) and use it to stimulate your saliva glands (or a pebble). Oh and once you start to feel "sick" or dehydrated, your body is so far gone that you need to stop and get OUT of the heat ASAP. Heat stroke is like a big slow snowball once it gets started it just gets worse.

Stay safe out there :-)

J[/quote]

Very good info! Thanks for taking the time!

[Pepperturbo]

Actually your comment about clear urine is pertinent "if" the person does NOT take vitamins in the am or hasn't been eating vitamin B group enhanced foods or liquids; including the night before. Alcohol of any kind the night before is the golfers arch enemy the following day because it forcing the body to dump valuable fluids, also contributing to clear urine.

Presuming an AM vitamin takers body is functioning properly urine for the better part of the day should be bright yellow because it's dumping excess vitamins and minerals, as it should. Also during hot and or humid conditions if someone is visiting the head often, somethings wrong because A healthy body uses up MOST fluids, excreeting excess. What should also be considered is whether or not the person sweats; the bodies way of releasing. If your body doesn't sweat, watch yourself closely.

Believe it or not a good survival school teaches these things, among others.

[itsadryhot]

[quote name='rony' post='1988740' date='Oct 5 2009, 11:55 AM'][quote name='itsadryhot' post='1988713' date='Oct 5 2009, 02:39 PM']Suggestions from a desert-dweller. Get sunscreen clothing (google it). Wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts, loose fitting and light colored, white is best. Wide brim hat, sunglasses (eyes need protection too). Get a cooler-collar or wet rag and make your own evaporative cooler by hanging around your neck (like the highway workers do). In humidity it might not be very effective tho.
Hydration level management is crucial. Get a bathroom scale that measure body hydration level and try to get it as high as you can by drinking water days before your outing. Battling dehydration once you are on the course is only for survival (as your body sees it) not for making you play any better.
Don't eat greasy foods or a lot of food while on course (digestion uses up lots of water). Don't drink high fructose corn syrup drinks (EVER). Gatorade falls into this category, even GatoradeTiger. Google for better non sugar drinks, you DO need sodium or potassium out there.
An old Native American trick is pop a seed of some kind (sunflower, etc) and use it to stimulate your saliva glands (or a pebble). Oh and once you start to feel "sick" or dehydrated, your body is so far gone that you need to stop and get OUT of the heat ASAP. Heat stroke is like a big slow snowball once it gets started it just gets worse.

Stay safe out there :-)

J[/quote]

Very good info! Thanks for taking the time!
[/quote]

you're very welcome. i just started on this forum and so far it's been a great experience. I usually lurk, but handling the heat is something I've done my entire life in AZ so I thought I'd lend a hand. Take Care

Jeff

[rony]

Very impressive......The quality of the posts here on the Senior forum. I had a little to do with getting this forum set up and I am so glad I suggested it. Just like on the course.......Very nice, pleasant men to spend some "Quality Time" with.

[lindy72]

I like the clothes idea...and yes hydration is important. One tip: while golfing in Phoenix in June a few years ago (I know, crazy) the carts had misters on them....an some people were carrying portable misters (basically water bottles with small fans)....I couldn't believe how well they worked by cooling the surrounding air....many buildings use them for outdoor (covered) patios....

[dv57]

Depends on your physical condition and where you play. For instance, I am 71 yrs old, in good health, and live in the Houston area. I try to walk until the temp is in the mid eighties with average humidity. With lower humidity and some breeze, the temp could be higher. Just don't press it. Electric carts sure feel good in our Texas summers.

[seena_beena]

Couple of years ago we played TPC Scottsdale in July, teeing off around 9.30am, it was 111f !!

Certainly a shock to the system when you live in the UK........