Equipment
Should you swap balls for winter?
There’s summer golf, and then there’s winter golf. Each pose their own unique challenges.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two golf seasons that instantly comes to mind is how there’s comparatively less daylight in the winter season whereas throughout the summer we can play happily well into the evening.
There’s also the matter of clothing whereby you’ll need to start adding more layers as the outdoors gets colder over the months ahead, but how does the climate impact the actual game itself? We all know how best to prepare for the winter on the golf course, but how does it benefit us to change up our gear?
Air density
As the autumn gives way to winter, you can feel the warmth leaving the environment as chilly frosts and overcast days become the norm. The air also becomes denser, and you’ll want to be taking an umbrella with you every time you pop outdoors.
This dense air has a big impact on golf and should be factored into your course strategy. Thicker air adds resistance to ball flight and causes the ball to not fly as far as it would in the summer heat. Not only does this cut down the natural distance of your strikes, but combined with the moist grass underfoot, causes the ball to thud to a stop rather than bounce on.
If you’re used to hitting the ball far and relying on it to bounce on to the green, you might just find your strikes will fall short during the winter. It’s therefore imperative that you use a club that will guarantee you have enough carry in your strike when going for the green.
Ground conditions
As there’s more moisture in the air, it’ll rain more often and the grass will frequently be thick with moisture. The rough grows rapidly with all the rainfall and it can be much more difficult to get a club on the ball if you’re striking away from the fairway.
The water and footfall on the course also churns up the ground and makes much muddier. It’s important to mark your ball as per winter rules because mud has a big impact on how the ball flies. A clump of mud upsets the ball’s aerodynamics and causes the ball to fly to the opposite of where the mud’s attached. If it’s muddy on the left side of the ball, your shot will veer to the right. This is why it’s important to clean your ball to maintain accuracy on your approach shots.
Natural light
As we’ve mentioned, there’s less daylight throughout the winter, making there much more of a finite window within which it’s pleasant to be on the golf course in. How many times have you headed to the tee on a wintery morning only to need to wait for some mist to subside before teeing off?
In a purely practical sense, it will be beneficial for you to add a ball to your bag that will stand out more on days when the dark descends quickly. Here in the pro shop, we have plenty of fantastic winter golf balls from Mizuno on our shelves that will keep you feeling up to the challenge when you’re on the golf course over the months ahead.
Our Mizuno winter golf balls
Mizuno is one of the best brands on the market, and their gear is trusted by the very best in the game. These balls will make playing through the winter months that much easier for you. Have a look at some of the top-quality balls you can expect to find when you visit our pro shop:
If you’re a high-handicap player, you’ll feel at home playing with the RB Max golf balls. Mizuno has created this ball to offer a reassuring feel on impact. With a dual construction core, the RB Max has a soft interior with a firm exterior, resulting in a ball that produces fast ball speeds for distance down the fairway alongside soft touches around the greens. The RB Max even has an Ionomer cover that ensures it retains durability for longer.
If you’re a skilled player, you’ll get on well with Mizuno’s Pro series golf balls. Both the S and the X model feature a 332 Axial Flow dimple design that reduces drag and enhances stability, resulting in a more predictable ball flight whatever the day’s conditions. Offering a mid-trajectory flight, the S model is an ideal choice for players that prioritize having greater control over their strikes.
Similarly excellent is the Mizuno Pro X golf ball, this ball offers a soft feel and encourages a mid-spin performance to accentuate workability. This ball also offers a higher shot trajectory with a steeper landing angle compared to the S model, making it perfect for players that like to attack the pin and apply plenty of spin on their approach shots.
These are just a few examples of the amazing golf balls you can find on our shelves. If you’re curious about the latest golf balls or unsure about which would be best to use for the winter period, we’d be happy to consult you in-person in the pro shop.
