A Weather Report

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” – John Ruskin There’s not much to worry about when the sun is shining. You’ll need ample water, some sunscreen, and your golf sunglasses. However, when the weather threatens to turn lousy, there’s a lot more to think about. Proper planning, adequate gear, and a willingness to get wet can still salvage what others might consider a disastrous experience, or a reason to not even bother. Building a Bad Weather Golf Wardrobe Having a functional wardrobe makes it possible to quickly prepare for all conditions – heat, wind, rain, and cold – and doesn’t require closets full of gear. There are, however, a few essential components that make it easier to play in unpleasant weather: Get good rain gear: It can be expensive, but it’s usually worth every penny. There’s a big difference between “water repellent,” which will keep you dry for a little while in a sprinkle, and “waterproof,” which will keep you dry all day in a monsoon. Having both is nice. Wear comfortable and waterproof shoes: It’s nice to have at least two pairs. If you’re on a trip or playing on back-to-back days and one pair gets wet, you can wear the other. Get a lightweight windjacket or vest: A lightweight item engineered to block wind is essential. It’s handy because it can easily be stuffed into a golf bag, yet it still provides warmth. Layer your gear: Start with the skintight turtleneck base-layer shirts worm under regular golf shirts. They can be worn in any combination with your other gear, including a short-sleeved golf shirt, long-sleeved golf shirt, vest, light jacket, warm jacket, or heavy-artillery rainwear. Back in black: Buy all your foul-weather gear to match, so you can mix and match as needed. I suggest buying everything in black – it’s the most common and easiest to find in the right size, and it’s slimming, which is really important in a rainstorm! Keep it together: Keep all your golf gear together in a section of your closet so you’ll know exactly where it is should you be in a hurry to prepare for a last-minute golf opportunity. Rain Strategies When you walk in the rain, use a trolley (pull cart) to lug around all your gear. The trolley not only takes the weight but also makes it much easier for you to stay warm and dry because you are not strapping a soaking wet golf bag across your bag. Umbrella management is important when playing in the rain. When you carry your bag or use the trolley, stuff the handle end of the umbrella into your golf bag every time you leave it to go hit your next shot. Having the handle anchored prevents it from blowing away and keeps your gear as dry as possible. You can hang extra towels, gloves, or clothes from the umbrella spokes to help keep them dry. For some, the only good time to golf is Sunday afternoon from May to August, and then only if it’s sunny and 72 degrees. However, those fair-weather golfers are missing out on possible moments of greatness. Sometimes the reward is not found at the destination, but in the obstacles overcome along the way. With proper preparation and careful consideration of the elements, you can have an excellent round no matter when you make a break for the course.