Thinking about putting the clubs away just because the calendar flipped to November? Not so fast. You can absolutely play golf in November, and for many golfers, it’s one of the most rewarding times of the year. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to not just survive, but thrive during a late-season round, from how to dress properly to the strategic adjustments you’ll need to make on the course.
Sure, you might need an extra layer, but autumn golf offers a unique experience that you just don't get in July. It’s not just about getting one last round in before the snow flies, November golf comes with its own set of fantastic perks.
The single biggest factor that determines whether you’ll have fun or be miserable is your clothing. The old saying, "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing," is a perfect fit for November golf. The goal isn't to look like the Michelin Man, it's to be warm and dry without restricting your swing. The solution is smart layering.
This is the layer that sits against your skin, and its job is to manage moisture. Whatever you do, avoid cotton. Cotton absorbs sweat and holds it against your body, which will make you feel cold and clammy once you stop moving. Instead, look for:
This is your heating layer. Its purpose is to trap the body heat that your base layer is working to preserve. Flexibility is important here, as this layer is often the one that can feel bulky a golf swing. Great options include:
This layer protects you from the two biggest enemies of a November round: wind and water. Even on a clear day, a biting wind can cut right through your mid-layer. Your outer layer should be both windproof and waterproof. A high-quality, lightweight GORE-TEX (or similar) rain jacket is your best friend. It will block the wind completely and keep you dry if an unexpected shower pops up. For your bottom half, a pair of rain pants is a great idea - even if it isn't raining. They block the wind, protect you from wet ground when you kneel to read a putt and keep you much warmer.
The outfit isn't complete without protecting your extremities, where you lose heat the fastest.
Remember the simple rule: You can always take a layer off, but you can’t put on one you didn’t bring. It's better to start a little too warm and shed a vest than to be freezing by the third hole.
Okay, you look the part. Now you need to understand that the game itself has changed. Physics dictates that your golf ball and the course itself will react very differently in 45°F (7°C) weather compared to a balmy 85°F (29°C) day.
This is not in your head. Two things are working against you. First, cold air is denser than warm air. This density creates more aerodynamic drag on the golf ball as it flies, causing it to slow down faster and lose yardage. Second, the golf ball itself gets colder. A cold ball is harder and less elastic, meaning it doesn't compress as effectively against the clubface. This results in slightly lower ball speed and reduced distance.
Actionable Tip: A good rule of thumb is to expect a loss of about 1-2 yards for every 10-degree drop in temperature. If you normally hit your 7-iron 150 yards on a warm day, you might need to pull a 6-iron to get it there on a chilly November morning.
The ground beneath your feet also plays a massive role in your strategy for the day.
Knowledge is useless without a plan. Now let’s combine what we know about the conditions into some simple strategies to help you post a good score and enjoy the round.
This is the most important adjustment you can possibly make. Because of the cold air and lack of roll, you have to take more club. Period. If you think it's a 7-iron, grab the 6. If you're between an 8 and a 9, there's no decision to make - it's the 8. Hitting a smooth 8-iron is always better than trying to force a 9-iron that was never going to get there in a thousand years. Pride is your enemy here, the real score is what you write on the card.
Don’t go out there expecting to fire a career-best round. It might happen, but the conditions are objectively tougher. The real victory is a well-managed round. Play for the center of greens. Aim away from hazards. Your thought process should shift from "How can I make birdie?" to "What's the smartest way to guarantee a par?" This defensive mindset will help you avoid the big numbers that can wreck a scorecard.
When it's cold and windy, a low, boring ball flight becomes your best friend. A punch shot is less affected by the wind and is generally an easier, more repeatable swing when your body feels tight and cold. It’s a high-percentage shot that you should lean on a lot in November.
This keeps the ball out of the wind and promotes crisp contact, even when the ground is soft.
Playing golf in November isn't about compromise, it’s about adapting. By dressing in smart layers and making a few simple strategic adjustments - like always taking more club and playing for the center of the green - you can have some of the most satisfying rounds of your entire year on a quiet, crisp autumn day.
Navigating those new variables can sometimes be a challenge, especially when all your usual yardages feel a little off. When you’re standing over a ball half-covered by wet leaves in the rough, guesswork can be costly. This is where modern tools can help remove that uncertainty. If you’re ever stuck, my app Caddie AI acts as an expert caddie right in your pocket. You can simply take a photo of a tricky lie and it will analyze the situation to give you a smart and straightforward plan to execute the shot. It takes the guesswork out of club selection on a cold day and helps you make the commit-to-swing-swing-commit to swing decisions that lead to better scores, no matter the season.
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The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
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