As the autumn leaves fall and winter sets in, playing golf requires a shift in strategy. Soggy fairways, crisp frosty mornings, and cold air all impact how your ball performs. To help you navigate these tricky seasonal conditions, PGA Professional Zoe North shares her top 3 essential winter golf tips to keep your scores down and your confidence high.
Zoe North’s 3 Essential Autumn/Winter Golf Tips
1. Club Up for Cold Weather & Heavy Air
When it’s drizzly or cold, golf balls simply don’t travel as far through the dense air, and your body might feel a little stiffer under those winter layers. Depending on the weather and situation, always consider clubbing up to reach your target without having to swing out of your shoes.
"Clubbing up" means selecting a lower-numbered club than you would usually take for a specific distance—for example, reaching for a 6-iron instead of your standard 7-iron. Because lower-numbered clubs have less loft and longer shafts, they carry the ball further with a smoother, controlled swing, compensating for heavy winter air and lack of fairway roll.
2. Be Kind to Yourself
Winter conditions can be tough—fairways get soggy, greens get firm with frost, and bad bounces happen. Don't expect to hit the best shots of your life on every hole. Give every shot your best go, but be kind to yourself and keep your mindset positive if a shot doesn't quite pan out as planned!
3. Adjust Your Landing Points
Course conditions dictate how far your ball will travel after it hits the turf. Winter requires smart landing-point strategy depending on the ground beneath your feet:
- ⚠️ Soggy & Wet Conditions: When it’s been chucking it down, the ball stops almost dead upon landing. Aim for a landing point closer to the target or pin to maximise carry distance.
- ⚠️ Frosty & Firm Ground: On hard, frozen fairways and greens, the ball will skid and release significantly further. Plan to land your ball much shorter than your intended target to allow for the extra roll out.
"Make sure you are clubbing up if necessary, be kind to yourself, and think carefully about your landing points, whether that's off the tee or approaching the green!" — Zoe North
Conquer Winter Golf in Comfort
Pair Zoe's course strategy with our windproof lined knitwear, fleece-lined waterproof headwear, and thermal golf gloves.
