What this Floridian learned about playing golf in Massachusetts cold

QUINCY, Mass. — A big bouquet of metal and carbon fiber nonetheless sits uncared for in a nook of my condominium.

It’s been about six months since I moved to New England from Florida’s so-called “golf capital” in Palm Seaside County.

It’s house to golf professionals, lively and retired, from Tiger Woods to Brooks Koepka to Jack Nicklaus. Situations for golf are chic for a lot of the 12 months, save the danger of a random sunshower in the summertime. The one different hazard you may need to be careful for moreover bunkers and ponds are invasive inexperienced iguanas that get pleasure from sunning their scales on a heat day.

However my golf golf equipment proceed to gather mud quite than pars – OK, I’ll be extra reasonable: double bogeys. Since relocating 1,500 miles north, I had gotten distracted by exploring Higher Boston and soaking within the last dregs of summer time, then profiting from a real autumn with leaf-peeping and cider-drinking. Earlier than I knew it, winter had arrived.

This time of 12 months in South Florida, I golfed much less continuously, awaiting the return of hotter temperatures that meant fewer snowbirds and cheaper rounds of golf.

However driving previous a snow-blanketed course not too long ago, I puzzled whether or not winter {golfing} was even a factor right here. The thought alone made me shiver.

So I did what any journalist would do: I requested the specialists. 4 South Shore golf execs clued me in on the golf scene and gave me some much-needed recommendation. Right here’s what they mentioned.

Do Massachusetts golf programs shut for the winter?

Sure and no, because it seems. Discovering out entails a little bit of analysis.

“Locations on the South Shore and nearer to the Cape are those more than likely to remain open,” mentioned Bobby Iannarone, co-head golf skilled at Granite Hyperlinks Golf Membership in Quincy, which closes for the winter season.

Kayden Serkiz putts at Harmon Golf in Rockland, Massachusetts. (Picture: Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger)

The programs that shut for the winter achieve this for numerous causes, like fewer workers or defending the turf from injury. This time without work permits some nation golf equipment the chance to plan occasions for the upcoming season, famous Alec Vozzella, head golf skilled on the non-public Marshfield Nation Membership. Some programs even grow to be excellent sledding spots.

It’s additionally time for programs to conduct much-needed upkeep that couldn’t be executed in any other case whereas packed stuffed with golfers, like cart path refurbishment, tee-box portray or tuning up equipment, mentioned Chris Riley, head golf skilled at South Shore Nation Membership in Hingham.

Some programs might function on a modified winter format, Riley added, throughout which golfers should stroll as a substitute of utilizing carts or greens are briefly relocated.

Is golf in Massachusetts cheaper within the winter?

Comparatively talking, sure. By a fast search of public tee instances for the top of February, some programs supplied a spherical of 18 holes for $30 whereas others charged $65 for non-residents. A spherical of golf in winter at South Shore Nation Membership, which is open for walking-only golf till March 31, is nearly half of what it’s through the season, Riley mentioned.

“They don’t cost the identical they’d within the summertime. They’re nonetheless getting a good buck,” mentioned Dana Smith, the golf skilled at Presidents Golf Course in Quincy. This course, although, can also be closed for the winter.

What’s one of the best ways to play golf through the winter in Massachusetts?In need of shopping for a airplane ticket to Florida (which Vozzella half-jokingly prompt), the bottom line is the correct quantity of layers and heat arms.

Kayden Serkiz chips out of snow at Harmon Golf in Rockland, Massachusetts. (Picture: Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger)

“It’s simpler to lose a layer after a couple of holes if you’re too heat than to get an additional jacket or pullover on the third gap if you’re too chilly,” Riley mentioned.

Smith sometimes places on a couple of layers with a vest as the ultimate piece. However he’s cautious to not placed on too many or too thick layers, because it might harm in the long term.

“When you get that third layer down by your wrist, you’re like a robotic,” Smith mentioned. “You possibly can develop dangerous swing habits if you happen to’re layered up a little bit too tight.”

Rain pants, Smith and Iannarone prompt, can even assist maintain the nice and cozy in and the brisk wind out.

Some golfers put money into clear cart coverings or cart heaters. Different equipment to remember embrace HotHands pouches or specialised winter golf gloves.

“Even when driving carts are an choice, your finest wager to remain heat is to stroll,” Riley mentioned.

Are golf simulators substitute?

It looks as if golf alternate options are in all places on the South Shore. Golf Lounge 18 simply opened on the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, and a location of X-Golf America opened in Hanover in December. Plus, Canton final 12 months acquired Massachusetts’ very first Topgolf location, which features extra carefully to a driving vary.

Whether or not to play golf in climate-controlled consolation is a matter of choice. However most mentioned the actual factor is tough to beat.

Whereas they’re good for observe, Smith mentioned he doesn’t see himself making a behavior out of utilizing golf simulators through the winter. He’ll get out on the golf green if the “seems like” temperature is at the least 38 levels, however even then, he would quite do laundry or one other home chore earlier than going through the blustery or frigid outdoor.

Vozzella considers himself a “fair-weather golfer,” however he enjoys hitting balls at Champions Indoor Golf. The expertise, like many simulators, permits him to trace information just like the membership face angle and path. It’s a great way to maintain swinging a membership by means of the winter, in any other case it might be like “ranging from scratch” come spring, he mentioned.

No less than within the digital realm, you received’t be losing time looking for your white golf ball in a pristine patch of snow ( reminder to fill up on colourful balls for winter).

“Nothing beats seeing the ball fly down a fairway, but when a golfer practices or performs a little bit bit within the winter, the awkward feeling of the primary swing or first spherical within the spring goes away,” Riley added. “No extra placing the golf equipment away for 3 to 4 months.”

As for me, I’ve performed at Topgolf a handful of instances and solely tried a golf simulator when testing out a brand new 7-iron. However even a foul spherical of golf in less-than-optimal climate is best than nothing.

The primary day of spring, for anybody holding rating, is March 19.