There is a specific type of madness reserved for the Irish golfer between the months of November and March. It’s the madness that sees us dragging ourselves out of a warm bed in the pitch dark, scraping ice off a windscreen, and driving through horizontal sleet just for the chance to hit a small white ball around a field.
We do it because we love it. We do it because the clubhouse soup tastes better when you’re half-frozen. And we do it because, on those rare January days when the low sun hits the grass, there is nowhere else on earth we’d rather be.
Still, winter golf is a game of compromise. If you expect pristine July conditions, you’re setting yourself up for a long, frustrating walk. The secret to enjoying winter golf isn’t your handicap. It’s your expectations, and a bit of prep.
Here’s your guide to getting through the off-season while keeping your sanity and your scorecard intact.
The Surface Struggle: Parkland vs Links
If you have the option to head to a links course during the winter, take it. Because linksland is built on sand, it tends to offer the best winter experience. Firmer fairways. More run on the ball. Far less mud.
For the vast majority of us playing parkland or heathland courses, winter usually means soft ground. Expect the ball to stop close to where it lands. You’ll see plugged lies and the dreaded mud ball.
Also, accept this early. Your usual driving distance can drop a lot because the bounce disappears and the air is heavier. That isn’t your swing falling apart. It’s just winter.
Managing the Mental Game: Accepting the Compromise
The first step to enjoying winter golf is mental. The course is resting. To protect playing surfaces for the summer, clubs have to put restrictions in place.
- Temporary greens and tees: Yes, putting on a temporary green that feels like a shaggy fairway is frustrating. Yes, hitting off a mat on the tee can feel a bit strange. But permanent greens need protecting, especially in frost.
- Fairway mats: Many Irish clubs mandate mats in winter to prevent divots in dormant turf. It takes a few holes to get used to. The upside is simple. You get a clean lie more often than you deserve.
- Closed holes: Don’t be disheartened if the course is down to 14 or 15 holes because of flooding or maintenance. It’s better to play 14 decent holes than 18 in a swamp.
- The mindset shift: Stop worrying about your index. Winter golf is maintenance. Maintain your swing. Maintain your fitness. Maintain the friendships. That’s the win.
The Pre-Flight Check: Don’t Leave It to Chance
Nothing kills the mood faster than pulling into the car park and seeing “Course Closed”. In Ireland, the weather can change ten miles down the road.
Call the pro shop or check the club’s website or WhatsApp updates before you leave. Don’t just ask “Is it open?”. Ask what you’ll be dealing with:
- Are all 18 holes in play?
- Are you on full greens or temporaries?
- Are mats mandatory on tees and fairways?
- What’s the frost policy?
That last one matters. Some clubs cancel early times if there’s a frost delay. Others push the whole sheet back. Know which it is before you leave the house.
The Battle Against the Elements: Frozen, Soaked, or Both
In Ireland, winter isn’t just a temperature. It’s water, wind, and a slow fight to stay comfortable. You’re usually dealing with one of three states: frozen, soaked, or the worst combo, frozen and soaked.
The Layering Philosophy (Thin beats thick)
Forget the heavy jumper. It restricts your swing and once it’s wet, it stays wet. A simple three-layer approach works better:
- Base layer: A thermal top that pulls sweat away from your skin.
- Mid layer: A thin fleece or quarter-zip for warmth.
- Outer layer: A breathable waterproof jacket that blocks wind and rain.
The Extremities: Hands, Feet, and Head
This is where winter rounds are won or lost.
- Spare socks: Bring a dry pair in a sealed bag. Changing socks at the turn feels like a life upgrade.
- Gloves: Carry at least three. Rotate them. If one gets damp, swap it out.
- Between-shot warmth: Mittens between shots help. Warm fingers mean better feel.
- Hand warmers: Worth bringing, full stop.
- Waterproofs: Better waterproofs usually stay more comfortable for longer. Whatever you wear, keep it clean and look after it, because all gear loses performance when it’s grimy and soaked.
The Organised Bag: Speed is Your Friend
Winter golf often turns into a race against the elements. You don’t want to be rummaging through pockets while the heavens open.
- Know your pockets. One for wet stuff, one for dry spares, one for tools.
- Rotate gloves. Hang a damp one under the umbrella to air out.
- Keep rain gear easy to grab. If you have to empty the bag to find your trousers, you’re already too late.
The Emergency Kit Checklist
Before you head out, stock your bag and car with:
- A full change of clothes, including underwear and shoes
- Spare socks (at least two pairs)
- Hand warmers for pockets, and even shoes on very cold days
- A thermos. A hot tea or coffee mid-round can be a genuine mood saver
The Reward
If you prepare properly, manage expectations, and dress for the day, winter golf isn’t something you have to endure. It can be something you actually look forward to. It keeps your game ticking over and makes the first proper dry evening of spring feel even better.
Check the frost policy, pack the spare socks, and get out there. The course is waiting.
And if you want to make winter rounds feel easier straight away, book a lesson with a PGA Pro through GolfSwing. A few simple tweaks for mats, wind, and soft lies now will pay off massively when the fairways firm up again.
