With autumn leaves falling fast in New England and bomb cyclones pummeling the Pacific Coast with wind and rain, staying warm and dry on the course is getting tricky for golfers in many parts of the country.
Cold weather does a few things that can diminish your performance on the course. First, according to Titleist, a shot hit on a 50-degree day will fly three percent less far than it will at 70 degrees because colder air is thicker. So, your 200-yard shot will only fly 194. The bigger factor, however, is that adding sweaters, jackets and other insulating layers designed to keep you warm usually restricts your range of motion, so you swing slower. That will take even more yards off your shots.
Smart golfers are always on the lookout for apparel and accessories that can keep you warm and dry without hindering your swing. Here are a few new things to consider if you live where it’s cold and want to extend your season a little longer.
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Adidas Fall-Weight Pants
Adidas Fall-Weight pants. (Adidas)
Made from recycled polyester with elastane, these pants are designed to stretch while providing enough insulation to fit off chilly temperatures. (From $90 at adidas.com)
FootJoy Phase One Base Layer
FootJoy Phase One Base Layer top. (FootJoy
These are not your father’s long johns. The Phase One Base Layer long-sleeve top is made to fit snuggly and provide warmth, but stretch and allow you to make an unrestricted swing. Wear it under a shirt or hoodie to add warmth without bulk. (From $68 at footjoy.com)
FootJoy Winter Cart Mitts ($40)
FJ Winter Cart Mitts (FootJoy)
Mittens do a better job of keeping your hands warm than gloves because your fingers stay together, and these are large enough to be worn while keeping your golf glove on. They slide off easily before you hit your next shot and can be put on quickly too. (From $40 at footjoy.com)
G-Tech Heated Pouch 2.0
G-Tech Heated Pouch. (G-Tech)
Players on the United States Ryder Cup team used these at Whistling Straits to keep their hands warm in the chilly Wisconsin air. After dropping the rechargeable battery into a small pocket, golfers can quickly put their hands inside and hold a fleece-lined pad that heats up to three different temperatures. Worn on an adjustable strap, players can spin it around before hitting a shot, then quickly bring it back to your waist while walking to your next shot. (From $120 at gtechapparel.com)
Nike Therma-FIT ADV Repel vest
Nike Therma-FIT ADV Repel vest (Nike)
The combination of goose down and heat-regulating fabric in this vest helps you stay warm, while the water-repellent finish keeps your torso dry. (From $200 at nike.com)
Puma Cloudspun WRMLBL golf jacket
Puma Cloudspun WRMLBL golf jacket. (Puma Golf)
This jacket’s quilted Primaloft Gold insulated body is designed to retain heat around your core, while the Cloudspun fabric keeps your arms toasty without hindering your swing. (From $160 at cobragolf.com/pumagolf)
Sun Mountain Women’s Colter Jacket
Sun Mountain Women’s Colter Jacket. (Sum Mountain)
The Colter jacket is a full-zip, hooded piece with four pockets designed to keep your core warm, thanks to 37.5 insulation used in the torso. It has a small amount of loft and is windproof, but the arms and side panels are made from four-way stretch material. From $139.99 at sunmountain.com)
Under Armour Women’s Storm Daytona Full-Zip Hoodie
Under Armour Women’s Storm Daytona Full-Zip Hoodie. (Under Armour)
The UA Storm material used to make this full-zip hoodie repels water without sacrificing breathability. When it is not covering your head, the three-panel hood is designed to lay flat. (From $90 at underarmour.com)
