For many enthusiasts, golf is a spring, summer, and fall sport, and golf clubs tend to collect dust during the winter months.
Fortunately, the weather stays warm enough in the Willamette Valley during the winter, so our golf course is able to stay open year round.
Unfortunately, the winter weather in Eugene and Springfield means lots of rain and other challenges for golfers brave enough to take on the winter conditions.
At the Pine Ridge Golf Club, we know a thing or two about how difficult it is to golf in Eugene during the winter and the inevitable rainfall it brings.
Here are a few tips to help you get through your next winter round.
Have the Right Mindset
There are a lot of important things to account for when golfing during the winter, but even more important than staying warm is making sure you have the right mindset.
It is important to understand upfront that your winter scores are not going to compare to your summer and fall scores, and you shouldn’t even try to achieve the same result.
Instead, think of all winter rounds as practice and preparation for the spring and summer. For each round, pick a few aspects of your game that you want to focus on. By the time spring rolls around, you’ll have a leg up on everyone who decided to just sit around all winter and dream of clear summer days.
Be Adequately Prepared
It’s also very important to make sure you are adequately prepared for the particular challenges that winter golf presents.
Wear Layers
Staying warm is a priority, so make sure to dress in layers. This will allow you to take off or put on clothing depending on what weather you’re experiencing (This is very helpful for our course as certain holes that are located on top of hills will be blasted with more wind than other, more protected holes).
Keep in mind that you still want to be able to have full range of motion and an unhindered golf swing. If your outermost layer is too restrictive, take it off for shots and put it back on afterward.
Bring Extra Towels
Many people overlook the importance of bringing multiple towels for a round of winter golf. In rain-soaked Eugene, you’re going to want at least two towels. One should cover your clubs to try to keep them dry and the other should be for keeping your hands dry.
It’s also not a bad idea to keep an additional towel at the bottom of your bag to keep your grips dry.
Walk, Don’t Ride
During cold weather, walking will help keep you warm and loose between shots. If you’re up to the task, walking is typically more enjoyable and better for you than riding during the winter.
Alternate Each Hole with a Different Ball
The colder the air is, the less your ball will travel and the less that it will spin.
You can try to combat this by alternating balls between each hole. Keep one ball in your pocket, so it can warm up while you are using the other.
Call Our Golf Shop before Coming Out
While our Eugene golf club stays open during the winter months, we will close down in the event of harsh or extreme weather. Make sure to give our golf shop a call at 541-747-2517 to see if we are indeed open on the day you want to play.
While winter golf certainly presents its own challenges, it can also be rewarding and a great way to limit your off-season jitters. With these tips in mind, playing during the winter will help you see great results come spring and summer.
