Hazeltine National Golf Club, located in Chaska, and host to the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur, and Ryder Cup offers this advice about golfing in the fall:
There is nothing that beats playing golf during the fall in Minnesota. The course conditions are the best you’ll see all season. The trees are putting on an autumnal show that keeps spirits light, no matter how bad the shot.
Courses have fall rates, they are less crowded, and the course pace of play becomes your pace of play. It is arguably the best time of the season to play, until those pesky temperatures drop. Colder temps are coming, but fall golf is too great to resist. So here are a few playing tips for golfers in fall weather:
Layer up
Start with clothing that breathes (the sun can get warm) and doesn’t restrict your swing, like Under Armour. Double up with socks – two layers if it is really cold or an extra pair if the course is wet. Rain gear – pants and jacket – are essential. You’ll have them for the rain and they serve as good wind protection.
Use a softer ball
Temperature can certainly affect your golf ball. The colder it gets, the less feel you have. By playing with a softer ball, you can retain some of the feel that you are used to around the greens. You might not hit the ball as far as normal (see below), but you might score by retaining your touch and feel.
Club up
Cooler temperatures don’t allow for the ball to travel as far, so if you are in-between clubs on an approach shot, always club up so you can get it there. Also be aware that colder weather will firm up the course, and you will get plenty of roll off of your drive (you could be playing from unfamiliar places). Just remember this when you are approaching the green – your ball can roll through and off the green.
Bring hand warmers and ear warmers
There is no need to worry about looks and whether you will be ridiculed for using hand warmers (you are already a golf warrior for being out there). You should have hand and ear warmers in your golf bag just in case. You want to be comfortable and not think about your frozen ears during your back swing. Keeping your hands warm between shots is a good idea for better feel on the club.
And finally, look around. The fall colors here are incredible. Take a deep breath of the crisp fall air and remind yourself why you love living here. Enjoy the round – it could be your last one for a while.
Golf … The Game for Life!