Happy New Year! And we’re back... I managed to surprise myself by getting out for 9 holes in the freezing cold last weekend. My thinking was to start as I mean to go on: keep my swing in check and get my money's worth from my golf club membership!
Aside from the sun shining and that feel-good factor of exercising after over-indulging, the only other upside was the ball hitting the icy ground and running for miles. Mind you, it felt a bit like Mickey Mouse golf when the ball would hit a frozen green and bounce to such an incredible height!
All being well, I’ll get out again this weekend, but if it’s still this cold, I’ll definitely be better prepared. My rechargeable handwarmers were a godsend, but my hands really feel the chill, so I should have packed a pair of winter golf gloves or mittens.
I pulled the cuff of my woolly hat over my ears, but I was so annoyed with myself for leaving my thermal snood at home. What a difference that made when I took the dog out later in the day - too late by then, though! I managed to get my layering right, but I’m just mentioning these things as it makes such a difference to the enjoyment of a few holes to be kitted out properly when you’re up against the elements.
We can all learn from each other, which reminds me of this article that Carly Cummins wrote recently about the golf equipment advice she would give to her younger self. A driver can be overwhelming when you’re starting out, and if you’re an experienced player, we all know that feeling when the driver stops working and we feel like resorting to hitting a 3-wood off the tee.
Carly’s advice? Don't do it. She’s convinced that playing it safe cost her a couple of county championships back in the day because she just didn't have the length. Her tip is to persevere with the big stick, as the distance is worth the struggle!
I know, it’s "new year, new me" season, and exercising more might be one of your goals for 2026. Carly wishes that she’d focused on her golf fitness much earlier. Honestly, I’m probably with the majority of women who don't do any specific training for their game. But we really should be keeping our bodies strong and supple. It’s not just about finding that extra 10 yards, it’s about preventing injury. We sometimes forget that at its core, the golf swing is an athletic movement.
I’m totally on the same page as Carly when it comes to using a trolley instead of carrying. I’ll admit, I held out for way too long. I had this stubborn idea that trollies were only for older players and that using one was some kind of admission of defeat. What was I thinking? All that unnecessary strain on my back and joints. We live and learn!
Happy winter golfing
By Alison Root, Women's Editor Golf Monthly.
