Is Rain a Pain in Your Golf Game?

By Greg Stenzel P.G.A
Consultant V.P.
To A Tee, Bermuda Ltd. www.toateebermuda.com

Golf Travel Society members recently traveled to the Home of Golf and enjoyed several days of links golf and Scottish weather. Anyone planning a golf excursion to Scotland needs to plan on playing in the elements that can range from sunshine to cool temperatures, wind and of course the annoying rain. As part of our pre-excursion planning, we try to educate golfers with information on the proper apparel needed for their days on the links. While most of our group is prepared for inclement weather, there are always a few who just can’t handle playing in the rain.

I have to admit that playing in the rain was never one of my strengths. That is until I first travelled to Scotland in the early 90s. While playing at North Berwick I was fortunate enough to engage the services of a caddie named Monty. Monty was a local who spent most of his years toting bags and spending evenings in the pub. He had a lot of experience and was not afraid to share it with anyone who would listen. The day started with light breezes and overcast skies but as we progressed, the rain began to move in. I grabbed the golf bag and quickly struggled to put on my rain-suit. I pulled the club cover and placed it over my clubs and told Monty I had an extra towel he could use to dry off my grips. Then I pulled out the umbrella and Monty asked, “What are you going to do with that? I’m not going to fight that thing in this wind.” You can imagine that I was a bit put off! Then Monty gave me some of the best advice I have ever received. He said, “Why don’t you just learn to play in the rain; you are going to get wet anyway!” That’s the day I changed my rain philosophy and I have been enjoying playing in the rain ever since.

Here are some pointers that can help take the pain of rain out of your game. First, take Monty’s advice: you are going to get wet, let it rain. Next, make sure you have a good rain suit. There are several great suits available, pick one that fits your needs. Make sure you have waterproof golf shoes and if you are on holiday, you may want to take two pairs. Leave the umbrella at home. Finally the most important item that is required to overcome the nuisance of rain, buy a pair of Foot-Joy Rain Grip Golf Gloves. Sold in pairs, the gloves perform best when wet. You will never lose your grip and while your fellow competitors are struggling and flinging clubs in their follow-through, you will be swinging with confidence