Summer Golf - How Not to Lose Your Cool

Losing your cool on the golf course - most amateurs can't help but get frustrated at errant shots or lost balls but they can stop themselves from getting overheated in the summer sun.

"Hot town, summer in the city" was the first line of the great Lovin' Spoonful song and the lyrics apply to golf too as the sun and high temperatures can be brutal of golfers. Four hours without protection or hydration can make for a very uncomfortable round and might have you carted away in an ambulance for heat exhaustion. And, don't forget that prolonged exposure could lead to melanoma.

Being a golfer who plays the game in a warm, southern clime, namely Myrtle Beach, I have adapted to the summer sun and will share a few tips on staying cool in this blog. Keep this list handy this summer and you may get through the round unscathed.

1. The Most Important Reminder - WEAR SUNSCREEN...on your exposed body, face, and lips. The American Dermatology Association recommends that you get a broad spectrum which covers both UVA and UVB rays. Also, don't get sunscreen lower than an SPF 30.

2. Cover Your Head and/or Face: wear a hat or visor. For people who are losing their hair, a hat would be better if you are not wearing any sunscreen protection. A hat/visor shades your face from the sun and helps block eyes from glare.

3. Protect Your Eyes: Don't forget the UV Sunglasses.

4. Stay Hydrated: freeze water bottles the night before - they stay ice cold for about 3.5 hours.

5. Bring a battery operated fan to help keep cool.

6. Bring extra gloves and change them out when your gloves get damp - this tip will help you maintain a good grip so you'll hit better shots.

And, no matter how hot it gets, have fun and don't lose your cool!

What tips do you have to stay cool on the golf course? List in the comments section of this golf blog and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

The Golf Shot That Won the U.S. Open

There are several factors to consider when an amateur decides whether or not to play an aggressive or safe golf shot, from the lie of the ball to where your next shot will land. Do you usually go for those shots that may have repercussions or do you lay up?

I must admit that most of the time I go for the safe approach, figuring I would rather have a second shot that I could make rather than picking myself out of troubles that lie ahead. There are times, however, where the safe shot is not always the best option.

Case in point... Gary Woodland, during the final round of the 2019 U.S. Open, decided on an aggressive play knowing that the trouble that lay ahead, namely, Brooks Koepka, was a birdie putt away from a tie for the lead.

What did Woodland do?

Well, in this case, his caddie made the ultimate call which was for Woodland to take a 3-wood and hit the ball 255 yards to a raised green, knowing that par wouldn't win the U.S. Open.

The golf ball landed on the fringe and Woodland wound up with a birdie, putting him ahead of Koepka and in a position to win.

Not many amateurs can hit a 255-yard 3 wood (especially under pressure) but when should we take the long shot in golf or play it safe?

There are several bullet points to remember before taking a long shot.

- Never go for low percentage shots. If there is trouble near your target and you think the golf club you selected will get you there, steer clear!

- Get out of trouble safely. If your golf ball is buried in the woods or behind a tree, don't try a miracle shot - instead, get the ball back into the fairway with a look at the green.

- Take the trouble out of play from your first shot. Position yourself properly so that, if you need that next shot to be a miracle, you have the option.

Photo: Wikimedia.org