Discover why winter golf is worth embracing, how to stay warm and comfortable on the course, what to put in your winter golf bag, and how year-round play can seriously improve your game.
Many golfer choose to hang up their clubs from November until the end of March. It is something I fully understand.
For some it is purely and simply because they do not enjoy playing in the cold.
For others, it may come down to the fact that their courses do not allow buggies during the winter and they are physically unable to walk for 18 holes.
I grew up in Scotland. You don’t need me to tell you that this meant spending a great deal of time fighting the elements.
To me, the very definition of a proper club golfer is somebody who lives north of the border and insists upon playing for 12 months of the year, regardless of the weather. They breed ‘em tough up north.
I have to admit that there are some mornings where I peer through the curtains and am sorely tempted to clamber back into bed.
But no, I am one of those who insists upon playing throughout the winter. I actually have to say that I enjoy hitting approach shots into damp greens because I know that when the ball lands it is going to stop. In saying that, those same conditions do make it more difficult to make crisp and proper contact with my irons.
I am not such a fan of playing on mornings when the ground is frozen. Fail to hit an iron properly and the shockwaves shoot through your body. And how do you stop a ball on a green that more closely resembles an ice rink. BOING! The ball hits the putting surface, bounces 100 feet in the air and is never seen again.
Putting on an icy green is another interesting experience. Your golf ball starts off measuring 1.68 inches but doubles in size as it picks up ice on its journey to the hole.
But would I change it? No way.
The key to winter golf: keeping warm
And that means thermal socks, thermal gloves, long johns, thermal tops, warm headgear, snood, neck warmer, polo neck jumpers and, probably most important of all, a proper waterproof suit – something that is going to see a lot of service at this time of year. A good suit will also keep the heat in.
It baffles me that so many club golfers fail to buy themselves a decent umbrella – you want something that is a) going to keep you dry and b) is going to withstand strong winds. And why wouldn’t you buy a holder to attach your brolly to your trolley?
It is important to ensure that you are not cold before you tee off. Of course that means making sure you are well wrapped up but a decent warm-up routine will also help. It is vital to keep your hands and feet warm.
Read More: How to stay warm and dry on the golf course this winter Don’t forget your winter golf bag
Clothing is only half the battle. Winter is also the perfect time to switch to a proper winter golf bag.
That means something lighter, less bulky and, crucially, carrying fewer clubs. Do you really need every single wedge and long iron in the bag when the ball isn’t going anywhere and you’re mostly playing knock-downs and little punches under the wind?
A lighter bag makes it easier to walk the course when trolleys or buggies are restricted, helps reduce fatigue and makes the whole winter experience more enjoyable. You can also use the change of setup as an opportunity to tweak a few things – maybe add an extra wedge you rely on around soft, muddy greens, or swap out a long iron for a hybrid that’s easier to launch from wet lies.
We’ve put together a YouTube video on “What should be in your winter golf bag” that walks through exactly how to streamline your setup and get it ready for cold, damp conditions – well worth a watch before your next winter round.
The Pro’s say to embrace winter golf
PGA professional Aaron Holton is a fan of winter golf and believes we should embrace it. Aaron teaches and provides golf lessons across Derbyshire, helping golfers of all levels keep their games sharp all year round – especially through the winter months when many people are tempted to stop playing altogether.
He says: “In my opinion, winter golf can be quite fun. A light drizzle might put people off, but with the right gear—waterproofs, an umbrella, and maybe an umbrella stand for your trolley—you can stay comfortable.
“Even in cold weather, your body will adjust after the first hole or so. Embracing these conditions is a great chance to keep playing year-round.
“Learning to adapt to rain and softer ground will ultimately make you a more versatile and better golfer. Playing all 12 months of the year sharpens skills that you can’t learn on a perfect summer day.”
If you’re based in or around Derbyshire and want to make the most of your winter golf – whether that’s improving your striking off wet fairways, tidying up your short game on soft surrounds or simply learning how to manage your game in poor weather – Aaron Holton’s coaching is a great way to keep progressing instead of hibernating until spring.
Why winter golf actually helps your game
It cannot possibly be a coincidence that the pace of play seems to quicken up during the winter months – that is surely down to the fact that people don’t want to hang around. A brisk pace will help to keep you warm.
Hitting to damp greens will also help you to understand exactly how far you hit every club in the bag because you are not going to get any roll when the ball lands. Like many others, I struggled to hit greens during the summer of 2025 because the ground was baked solid by the sun and all greens were far firmer than normal. It was all something of a lottery.
Winter golf, by contrast, rewards proper strike, committed swings and good course management. Get your clothing right and sort out a sensible winter bag – you might just find you enjoy winter golf more than you ever thought you would.
Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
