EWGA Championship and EWGA Cup
EWGA Championship and EWGA Cup Tips for Successful Golf Experiences in Nature’s Different Climates & Conditions No one can be involved in golf very long without encountering weather conditions that may cause problems. Preparation is always the key to performing well and being as comfortable as possible while doing so.
Playing in Rain A competition need not be suspended simply on account of rain, unless the rain is so heavy that it would be unfair to require players to continue, i.e., casual water accumulates around a hole on at least one putting green, in which case play may be suspended for a period of time. A round should be cancelled only in a case where it would be grossly unfair not to cancel it. If rain is forecast, prepare by having: • Rain gear (water resistant outer clothing) & hat • An Umbrella • A cover for golf clubs • Towels to help keep equipment and & hands dry • Waterproof shoes • Dry socks • Zip Lock Bags are helpful If you believe that you are in danger from lightning, do not wait for notification from the committee or golf course discontinue play immediately. According to USGA rule 6-8, competitors have the right to stop playing if they believe they are threatened by lightning. If time permits, seek shelter: • Ideal areas are those that are fully enclosed with windows and doors which completely shut. (clubhouses, automobiles, bathrooms) • Large areas that are covered – stay to the center and away from the open sides • If trees are the only option, choose a grouping of trees. Stay away from taller trees and single trees. • Go to a low elevation area Things to • • • • • •
avoid: All metal objects such as golf clubs, golf carts, power lines and fences. Solitary trees Small rain/sun shelters Elevated areas Large, open areas Wet areas
If you do not have time to seek shelter, crouch down with your hands on your knees in a baseball catcher’s position. Keep your feet on the ground. Do not lie down.
Playing in the Heat Maintaining body fluids is essential to preventing heat exhaustion. The body is made of 80% water and maintaining the fluid balance is critical to the body’s ability to operate at peak performance. When your body is short of water, it loses valuable electrolytes that affect your ability to think and process information. When this happens, your kidneys are unable to remove toxins and are placed under stress. When lack of fluids continues over a period of time, the body protects itself by shutting down many of its functions in order to reduce internal stress and internal overheating. EWGA Championship and EWGA Cup Revision Date: March 1, 2013 Review date: December, 2016
App CC-Weather Document Page 1 of 2
The following list contains ways to prepare and maintain the key moisture balance in your body when playing in heat; whether dry heat or the heat of high humid conditions. Maintain body fluids: Drink lots and lots of water constantly! • Hydrate your body in advance. For the 24 hours before you plan to be in the heat, drink as much water as possible. Avoid alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating. • Continue to ‘push’ fluids on the golf course. Avoid drinks that have caffeine and/or alcohol as these are diuretic and actually rob your body and kidneys of the water it needs to stay hydrated. • Many sports drinks have needed electrolytes that are lost in sweat, but also have a high sugar content, which, unless you are carrying your clubs and walking the course, you do not need. Explore drinks with additives that help restore the electrolytes lost when you sweat. • To ensure you stay as cool as possible, protect your head and face from the sun. Just being shaded reduces water loss through sweat. While waiting to hit or play, stay in the cart, or in the shade of a tree or under an umbrella. • Wear lose fitting, light colored clothes that breathe. Dark clothing draws heat, light clothing reflects heat. • Keep cool towels available to wipe the face and extremities and/or place around the neck & head area. Also try cool misters. Signs that • • •
you may have lost too much water and need to take action include: Loss of coordination Extremely flushed face Cessation of sweating
After play in extreme heat: • Avoid alcoholic beverages • Avoid drinks with caffeine • Continue to ‘push’ water until you are completely cooled down
Playing in the Cold Playing in the cold can be very challenging. Preparation is again the key to performing well and being comfortable while doing so. • • •
•
Dress in layers loose enough to allow you to swing your clubs. A hat and gloves are essentials. 80-90% of body heat can be lost by having your head and neck uncovered. A turtle neck and stocking cap are handy items in cold weather. Keeping your feet warm and dry is also essential in the cold. Waterproof shoes and socks that will ‘wick’ the moisture away from your feet are good. Corduroy pants or pants covered by rain suit pants help keep the warmth in during the chill. A vest or wind shirt and cart mittens are good additional items that fit easily in your golf bag on cold days. Place hand warmers in your pockets to help keep your hands warm between shots. Just be aware that you should not keep your golf ball in the same pocket as your hand warmers. (Warmers artificially warm the ball and changes it’s characteristics for the conditions!) Put a blanket on the seat of the cart and a windshield up to protect you from the wind.
EWGA Championship and EWGA Cup Revision Date: March 1, 2013 Review date: December, 2016
App CC-Weather Document Page 2 of 2
Playing in Rain A competition need not be suspended simply on account of rain, unless the rain is so heavy that it would be unfair to require players to continue, i.e., casual water accumulates around a hole on at least one putting green, in which case play may be suspended for a period of time. A round should be cancelled only in a case where it would be grossly unfair not to cancel it. If rain is forecast, prepare by having: • Rain gear (water resistant outer clothing) & hat • An Umbrella • A cover for golf clubs • Towels to help keep equipment and & hands dry • Waterproof shoes • Dry socks • Zip Lock Bags are helpful If you believe that you are in danger from lightning, do not wait for notification from the committee or golf course discontinue play immediately. According to USGA rule 6-8, competitors have the right to stop playing if they believe they are threatened by lightning. If time permits, seek shelter: • Ideal areas are those that are fully enclosed with windows and doors which completely shut. (clubhouses, automobiles, bathrooms) • Large areas that are covered – stay to the center and away from the open sides • If trees are the only option, choose a grouping of trees. Stay away from taller trees and single trees. • Go to a low elevation area Things to • • • • • •
avoid: All metal objects such as golf clubs, golf carts, power lines and fences. Solitary trees Small rain/sun shelters Elevated areas Large, open areas Wet areas
If you do not have time to seek shelter, crouch down with your hands on your knees in a baseball catcher’s position. Keep your feet on the ground. Do not lie down.
Playing in the Heat Maintaining body fluids is essential to preventing heat exhaustion. The body is made of 80% water and maintaining the fluid balance is critical to the body’s ability to operate at peak performance. When your body is short of water, it loses valuable electrolytes that affect your ability to think and process information. When this happens, your kidneys are unable to remove toxins and are placed under stress. When lack of fluids continues over a period of time, the body protects itself by shutting down many of its functions in order to reduce internal stress and internal overheating. EWGA Championship and EWGA Cup Revision Date: March 1, 2013 Review date: December, 2016
App CC-Weather Document Page 1 of 2
The following list contains ways to prepare and maintain the key moisture balance in your body when playing in heat; whether dry heat or the heat of high humid conditions. Maintain body fluids: Drink lots and lots of water constantly! • Hydrate your body in advance. For the 24 hours before you plan to be in the heat, drink as much water as possible. Avoid alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating. • Continue to ‘push’ fluids on the golf course. Avoid drinks that have caffeine and/or alcohol as these are diuretic and actually rob your body and kidneys of the water it needs to stay hydrated. • Many sports drinks have needed electrolytes that are lost in sweat, but also have a high sugar content, which, unless you are carrying your clubs and walking the course, you do not need. Explore drinks with additives that help restore the electrolytes lost when you sweat. • To ensure you stay as cool as possible, protect your head and face from the sun. Just being shaded reduces water loss through sweat. While waiting to hit or play, stay in the cart, or in the shade of a tree or under an umbrella. • Wear lose fitting, light colored clothes that breathe. Dark clothing draws heat, light clothing reflects heat. • Keep cool towels available to wipe the face and extremities and/or place around the neck & head area. Also try cool misters. Signs that • • •
you may have lost too much water and need to take action include: Loss of coordination Extremely flushed face Cessation of sweating
After play in extreme heat: • Avoid alcoholic beverages • Avoid drinks with caffeine • Continue to ‘push’ water until you are completely cooled down
Playing in the Cold Playing in the cold can be very challenging. Preparation is again the key to performing well and being comfortable while doing so. • • •
•
Dress in layers loose enough to allow you to swing your clubs. A hat and gloves are essentials. 80-90% of body heat can be lost by having your head and neck uncovered. A turtle neck and stocking cap are handy items in cold weather. Keeping your feet warm and dry is also essential in the cold. Waterproof shoes and socks that will ‘wick’ the moisture away from your feet are good. Corduroy pants or pants covered by rain suit pants help keep the warmth in during the chill. A vest or wind shirt and cart mittens are good additional items that fit easily in your golf bag on cold days. Place hand warmers in your pockets to help keep your hands warm between shots. Just be aware that you should not keep your golf ball in the same pocket as your hand warmers. (Warmers artificially warm the ball and changes it’s characteristics for the conditions!) Put a blanket on the seat of the cart and a windshield up to protect you from the wind.
EWGA Championship and EWGA Cup Revision Date: March 1, 2013 Review date: December, 2016
App CC-Weather Document Page 2 of 2
