10 Tips for Playing Golf in the Summer Heat

The dog days of summer have arrived and, if you are as passionate about the sport as I am, you will be out on the golf course no matter how hot it gets!

Whether you are a beginner to the game or a die-hard amateur, you need to remember to bring the essentials with you so that the round doesn't become a harrowing experience.

Golf for Beginners has compiled are a few tips for playing golf in the summer heat. Review this checklist before your next round:

1. Hydrate! Freeze a bottle of water - it will usually last for the round.
2. Stash extra gloves for perspiration.
3. Sunscreen: How many times have you gotten beet red because you forgot to apply SPF?
Consumer Reports advises sun worshippers to apply sunscreen before bug spray, letting it absorb into the skin and then spray on a separate bug killer - try not to use a combination spray as you will need to reapply the sunscreen but not necessarily the bug spray.
4. Bug Spray: There is nothing worse than a swarming bunch of no-see-ums pinching at your skin as you are trying to make your 150-yard approach shot to the green. Look for a sunscreen that provides you with enough protection so that you are not constantly reapplying it.
5. Sunglasses: Blinding sunlight can have an impact on your eyes, causing blurriness - even if you take them off to look at the dimples on your golf ball, put them back on when walking or riding around in the golf cart.
6. Face towel - place a frozen, wet towel in a baggie and wipe down your face often. When the towel gets warm, refresh with ice at the turn.
7. Hat: Always bring along a hat with visor - the hat protects your skin and the visor protects your eyes.
8. Golf Clothing: Wear moisture-wicking materials which breathe and stay away from black and dark colors as they absorb heat (basic science - white and lighter colors reflect light and heat, dark colors absorb heat).
9. Find Shade: When you are waiting for your turn at the tee box, find a spot of shade to stand in - you will be amazed at how cool you are when approaching your shot.
10. Try for an early morning tee time. It's cooler during AM hours, so why not have an early morning cup of joe and enjoy the sunrise!

Have a golf tip you would like to add to our list of summer heat quenchers? List it in the comments section of this golf blog or tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Three Golf Lessons Learned from U.S. Open Mistakes

For those fans who stayed glued to their television sets during the 118th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, the golf tournament proved exciting with lessons to be learned...if you paid attention!

Professional golfers make errors, albeit fewer than the average player; ball striking is much crisper but nerves can still wreak havoc, with golfers dropping like flies down the home stretch.

Brooks Koepka kept his cool throughout the U.S. Open and, although he physically played golf better than the pack, it was his mental strength which led him to victory, which leads this week's Golf for Beginners blog to the three lessons learned from U.S. Open mistakes.

1. Golf Tip #1: Don't let nerves get the best of you.

There weren't enough deep breaths to be had as Tony Finau, Patrick Reed and even Koepka (on 18) yanked shots and  3-putted down the back nine on Sunday. A steady mind won the U.S. Open for Koepka.

2. Golf Tip #2: Don't let the round get away from you.

Not caring how the hole will turn out when you are spiraling into double or triple bogey territory is probably one of the worst ways to play a round of golf. Take time with your golf shots, make each shot count and stop the bleeding. Move on after a bad hole and make each hole its own adventure.

Case in point - Phil Mickelson striking his ball on the green while it was rolling - bad and good move - he knew that he was going to score high so he stopped the bleeding but, did he really care about his round after his two-stroke penalty? Phil finished his Saturday round with an 81...good for most amateurs but bad for one of the top players in the world.

3. Golf Tip #3: Take responsibility for your round.

It's not the course, it's not the wind...it's YOU! Yes, even at Shinnecock Hills...
Once you stop criticizing, stop the negative self-talk and replace it with positive comments, your round will improve. An angry golfer makes mistakes. Your entire group is playing in the same conditions...deal with it.

Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello tweeted after a 76, "It was not a fair test of golf. Greens were unplayable, with unnecessary pin positions. USGA found a way to make us look like fools on the golf course. A pity they managed to destroy a beautiful golf course."

Best advice for a golfer facing problems during his or her round?

Stay focused in the present and stay flexible in case of surprises...that's golf!

What lessons did you learn from the 2018 U.S. Open? Comments welcome below and tag us with your thoughts on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

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