Playing a great round of golf on a scorching hot day is just as much a mental and strategic challenge as it is a physical one. Beating the heat isn't about simply enduring it, it's about having a game plan to keep your body cool and your mind sharp from the parking lot to the 18th green. This guide will walk you through the practical, coach-approved strategies you need to not just survive a hot day on the course, but to actually play well and enjoy it.
Your battle against the heat doesn't start when you feel the sun beating down on the first fairway. It starts the day before. The smartest golfers prepare for extreme conditions before they even a pack their bag, giving themselves a massive advantage.
One of the biggest mistakes golfers make is trying to hydrate during the round. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already behind the curve and your performance is suffering. True hydration for a 4-5 hour round in the sun begins 24 hours in advance. Make a conscious effort to drink plenty of water throughout the day leading up to your tee time. Think of it as filling up your body's a reservoir. If you start the round with a full tank, you only have to focus on topping it off. While water is great, consider adding an electrolyte tablet or drink to your pre-round routine to pre-load the essential minerals you're about to sweat out.
This might seem obvious, but it’s the single most effective way to avoid the worst of the heat. The sun is at its most intense and punishing between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you have the flexibility, book the first tee time of the day and you'll likely be finishing up as the temperature really starts to climb. Conversely, a late afternoon "twilight" round can be fantastic, as you'll play during the cooler, golden hours. If you're stuck with a mid-day tee time, all the following tips become even more important.
Your clothing is your first line of defense against the sun and heat. Ditch the old cotton polos and dark colors, which trap heat and moisture. Modern golf apparel is your best friend here. Here's what to look for:
Think of your golf bag as your support vehicle. A little extra preparation here pays off immensely. Along with your a clubs and balls, make sure you pack these heat-beating essentials:
Once you’re on the course, the game shifts to conservation - conserving your energy, your coolness, and your focus. Small, consistent actions are what separate those who wilt on the back nine from those who finish strong.
Chugging a whole bottle of water on the 4th tee won't do you much good. Your body can only absorb so much at once. The key is consistent sipping. Make it a rule: after every tee shot, take a few good sips of water. This keeps your system steadily replenished. Alternate between plain water and a sports drink or an electrolyte packet mixed into your water, especially on the back nine. This replaces the salt and potassium you lose through sweat, which is vital for preventing cramps and mental fog. And an important reminder: caffeine and alcohol are diuretics that will a dehydrate you faster. Save the beer for the 19th hole.
Pretend you're a tactician whose greatest weapon is the shade. A few degrees of temperature difference and getting out of the direct sun, even for a minute at a time, makes a huge difference over 18 holes.
Each of these small moments is a chance for your body to cool down and recover. They add up significantly.
This is a timeless pro tip for a reason: it works wonders. Take that damp towel from your bag and drape it over the back of your neck. The main arteries that supply blood to your brain are close to the surface of the skin on your neck. Cooling this area has an immediate and powerful effect on your overall body temperature and how you feel. It can snap you out of that hazy, overheated feeling in seconds.
You are simply not going to have the same amount of physical energy in 95-degree heat as you do on a perfect 70-degree day. Accept it. Don’t fight it. Trying to swing out of your shoes on every shot will just wear you down faster. This is the perfect time to choose a riding cart over walking. Conserve your energy between shots so you can commit to the swing when it matters. Take an extra club and make a smoother, 80% swing. Your body will thank you, and your scores probably will, too.
Heat doesn’t just drain your body, it drains your brain. Mental errors - poor decisions, loss of focus, frustration - spike when your core temperature rises. Protecting your mental game is the final piece of the puzzle.
Whining about the heat is a waste of precious mental energy. Complaining doesn’t lower the temperature, it just deepens your negativity and takes your focus off the shot at a hand. Before the round, simply tell yourself, "It's going to be hot today, and that's okay. I have a plan for it." By accepting the conditions, you can focus your energy on executing your strategy - seeking shade, hydrating, and making good decisions.
Fatigue breeds sloppy choices. After three hours in the sun, you are more likely to pull the hero club or try a risky shot you have no business playing. Heat can also impact ball flight, warm, humid air is less dense, meaning the ball may fly a bit further than usual. Acknowledging this is step one. Step two is simplifying your strategy. Aim for the fat part of the green. Take the safer club. Prioritize making a solid, committed swing over a powerful one. A tired, lazy swing is a recipe for a big number.
This is about more than golf, it's about your well-being. You have to be able to recognize the signs of heat-related illness. Be aware of these symptoms in yourself and your playing partners:
If you start to feel genuinely unwell, stop playing immediately. Get into the shade, drink cool water, and seek help. No score is worth risking your health.
Playing golf in the heat is a learnable skill, blending smart preparation before your round with disciplined tactics during it. By controlling your hydration, what you wear, and how you use the course to your advantage, you can protect your body and mind from the draining effects of the sun, freeing you up to play your best.
When fatigue sets in on those blazing hot days, making smart, simple decisions becomes that much harder. Instead of trying to calculate carry distances or choose between two clubs when your head is throbbing, having a clear plan removes a that mental load. To take the guesswork out of your game when you’re already tired, we built Caddie AI to act as your objective on-course strategist. You can get instant recommendations on club selection or a straightforward strategy for a difficult hole, so you can save your mental energy for a committing to the swing.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
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.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
