Tips For Golfing During The Summer Heat

This wasn't a planned blog Post. Tips For Golfing During The Summer Heat should be talked about before every summer. However, this one comes after a recent near heat exhaustion incident.

I was trying to get a golf course review done a few days ago, and unfortunately I didn't get past the driving range. The midday heat got to me very fast. I should know better on so many different levels here, but nonetheless I couldn't even start the round without feeling like I was going to pass out.

There are certain things I try to do before these hot days, but sometimes it is not enough. I spray sunscreen, try to hydrate before getting out there, and wear the most breathable shirt and pants I own. I know better for myself, and I really needed to do more starting the night before.

One thing I did last summer was purchase a portable rechargeable fan to keep on the golf cart to help with those hot days. I have a Klein Tools fan that has magnets on the base and a claw grip. The magnets don't hold well to the golf cart roof supports while driving, but the claw clips to it great. It is not cool by any means, but it keeps air moving, which is a huge relief, especially when there is little to no breeze on the course. They are available from Amazon, Lowe's, Home Depot, and a few other places, like Harbor Freight. At around $60, it is a big help. I recently found out it lasts a full round and 13 holes on a single charge, running at high speed.

I already know I drink too many Cokes, and with certain medication I take every two weeks, I am already more dehydrated than I should be. Knowing all this, I should drink more water or Gatorade the night before going to play golf. Once the heat gets to you, there is not much that you can do that will allow you to stay out there in it.

Here are my tips from personal experience.

(Please note: I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. This is from personal experience and education I have recieved. Please consult your own physician if you are expreinces any signs of heat exhaustion or the like.)

1. Protect Your Skin - Wheter it is sunscreen or wearing sun protection sleeves, you must keep your skin protected. This is not about sun rays or sunburn. The more you sweat, the more your skin dehydrates, and your body's ability to cool itself is more challenging. Sun sleeves are made to help cool your arms the more you sweat and keep some of that moisture in your skin and your body. I'm no doctor, so I may not be one hundred percent in how I worded that, but that's how I understood it when it was explained to me. Just as it was explained to me that shaving your body will help keep you cooler. I don't know exactly how that works, but I have tried it, and it does work. Also, wear a hat with a brim. A bucket hat is the most effective, but a regular hat with just a front brim works well. Even better if it is one with a mesh backing allowing your head to breathe.

   
   

2. Eat Protein and carbs - There are two ways this works for energy. You can eat carbs, thin spaghetti, the night before golf that stay in your system for about 24 hours or you can get your protein and carbs right before your round. It could be as simple as a Snickers bar for just protein or a hot dog for a small amount of protein (hot dog) and carbs (bun). Do not eat too much before stepping out in the heat, though.

   
   

3. Protect Your Eyes - There may not be much you can do to keep sweat out of your eyes other than keeping that extra towel, but keeping the sun and wind from going directly into your eyes is important. This keeps your eyes from drying out and making your vision a bit off. When eyes dehydrate, depth perception can be affected. As someone who wears contacts, that is why you always see me wearing sunglasses in videos even when it might be overcast. Sometimes it is just to keep the wind out. Of course I recommend Tifosi Optics, especially any pair that has their Enliven Golf Lens, but even a $2 pair from a gas station is better than nothing. I recommend Tifosi due to the high-end quality without the high-end prices.

   
   

   

   
   

4. Stay Hydrated - Staying hydrated is much more than just drinking water. Your body needs electrolytes. Water alone does not offer those. Gatorade or other sports drinks do offer those electrolytes but also have a lot of sugar. Sugar is ok as we are moving and need sugar in our body for energy, but too much in the heat could make you feel sick. Smart Water has electrolytes without the sugar, but most golf courses don't sell it. However, you need a balance of electrolytes and sugar while being active in the heat. The sugar helps you not metabolise the water too quickly. Liquid IV is a good option, but you also have to be careful of too many electrolytes. There is an actual thing called electrolyte overdose. Again, not a Dr, but that's how i recall it being told to me by my Dr's. There are alternative options eithe pre round or post-round to get that hydration. When I get like this, I head over to Restore Hyper Wellness and get an IV drip. I would go there more often, but actually can't afford it with my car note and other expenses. I will be heading over there this week though.

   
   

Final Thoughts: Don't Let Dehydration Ruin Your Next Round

Proper hydration starts 24 hours before you tee off and extends long after you sink your final putt. While water and electrolyte packets are your best defense on the fairways, severe dehydration calls for a heavier hitter.

My go-to post-round secret weapon is the IV Hydration service at Restore Hyper Wellness. If you want to try it out, just head into the Elmwood studio and drop my name, Kyle Hrubes, at the front desk. They'll give you a massive discount on your first IV drip so you can experience the recovery difference before your next tee time.