Posted by Dexter Francois
| Posted in
Golf Courses,
My Rounds
| Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2011
I'm heading out for a round of golf today at The Raven Golf Course at South Mountain. I've played this course once before, and it was under similar conditions. What conditions you ask? The forecast is for bright sunny skies and a high of 111 degrees.
Back in March I questioned whether or not I would be able to handle the heat. At the time, I thought I would be just fine. But that was when it was still in the low 80's and absolutely perfect. We have hit triple digits everyday for the past week here in Phoenix and it is going to stay that way for a while.
I like reading other golf blogs as you can tell by my long blog roll on the right hand panel. I came across Discovering The Game Of Golf a few weeks ago when I noticed a post entitled Tips For Beating The Heat On The Golf Course. This is something that I could relate to, so I read on.
The author, a new golfer like myself, gave the reader helpful tips for surviving the summer heat during a round of golf. After reading the article I left a comment. This is what I had to say...
I just moved from Miami, FL to Phoenix, AZ. So basically I went from humid wet and sticky heat to a dry heat. Everyone says that the dry heat is better, but let’s face it. Hot is hot. The forecast for the next week calls for highs in the 100′s. But I still have to play. I’m addicted.
I usually buy Gatorade and a big bottle of high quality H20 the night before a round and freeze them. That way I am assured of having ice cold, liquid refreshments during my round. I rehydrate as well as replenish the electrolytes lost over the course of 18 holes of play.
I know you’re not supposed to bring outside drinks and the such to the golf course, but literally, it’s a matter of life and death. My best friend and most frequent golf partner is a doctor and he tells me of the many stories of heatstroke that occur on the golf course. I don’t want that to happen to me. Plus it seems that the cart attendants aren’t as reliable during the summer months. Gotta do what I gotta do. Great article.
During the summer months, the Snowbirds leave Phoenix for more comfortable weather in other parts of the country. Many of these people are members of the golf courses in the area, but when it gets hot, they leave and are not seen again until about mid-October.
The problem with this is that when the members migrate, golf courses cut back on staff, and most notably, as I mentioned in my comment, the cart attendants. In order to keep costs down, a lot of the courses leave golfers to fend for themselves. Most will have water coolers on several of the holes, but the frequency at which we see a cart greatly diminishes.
There is a heat advisory for today and most of the rest of the week, but I want to play. I have to play. Crazy? Maybe, but the courses are empty and you can't beat the reduced rates. So hey...I gotta do what I gotta do. Have a great round and always hit your target.
***The picture above is of my iPhone. It was taking at around 9:45PM last night. It was still 101 degrees, and as you can see, the forecast for the next few days is hot, hot, hot. The Heat Is On...
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NC isn't quite as hot as AZ, Dex, but I often have to run in high 90s during the summer. The best tip I can give you is to stay hydrated, which you already noted. But here's something you may not have known...
It takes about 20 minutes for that liquid you drink to do you any good.
So make sure you hydrate yourself about 30 minutes before you go out, then try to drink at least 3 or 4 ounces every 15-20 minutes. That'll help you avoid the worst of the problems.
Thanks Mike. I will definitely do that. I usually don't get nervous before a round but I was actually thinking about it all night. I'm sure I'll be fine as long as I follow your advice.
Dex, I take a clean white towel with me and soak it with water to wrap around my head and neck occasionally. Since it is such a dry heat, you don't stay soaking wet like you would in Miami if you did the same thing. Also, pour water in your hat and then put it on. Refreshing.
Bryce
Good idea Bryce. Putting it in the bag right now.