"I Hate the Heat"... 'Heatwave Round Know-How'

Prioritize Body Temperature and Hydration Control, Choose Functional Clothing
Bring Sunscreen, Umbrella, Sunglasses, Gloves
Maintain Routine, Avoid Risk Areas, Play Aggressive Short Game

After the rainy season ends, the heatwave begins. The unusually high temperatures make it especially hot. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts "severe heat this year." It is an unwelcome period for weekend golfers. Prolonged exposure to heat can cause dehydration, headaches, vomiting, and dizziness. It is essential to manage your condition thoroughly. However, you cannot spend your precious time just in front of the air conditioner. Here are some tips to enjoy a pleasant round even in the scorching heat.

Using an ice pack during a heatwave round can help cool down the heat.

First, avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause dizziness and other symptoms. Above all, wisdom to regulate your body temperature is necessary. During the round, avoid staying in direct sunlight and rest under trees whenever possible. Be cautious when walking around the field while exercising. Once you finish a hole, move to the cart without delay. Getting a frozen towel from the shaded rest area and placing it around your neck is also a good method. Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration and inevitably cause a decline in concentration.

Keep replenishing fluids consistently. During 18 holes, you typically sweat about 4 liters. Feeling thirsty is already a sign that dehydration has progressed. Research shows that "losing 2% of your body weight in fluids reduces performance by 20%." Make it a habit to drink water regularly. It helps the brain's neural tissues and muscles perform actively. Barley tea or mineral water containing mildly alkaline components is ideal. They contain carbohydrates and have a low concentration of 6-8%, allowing relatively fast absorption. This is the advice of doctors who say, "It helps the brain's neural tissues and muscles perform actively."

Using a fan along with a priority setting makes you less tired.

Bring ice water. Avoid gulping it down quickly as it can cause stomach upset. Drink it little by little. You can easily get exhausted in the heat. Bring snacks to eat. Tour players replenish energy during rounds with fruits like bananas, grapes, watermelon, and peaches. Salt is a tip to prevent dehydration symptoms. On the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, salt is sometimes distributed during heatwaves.

Maintaining body temperature is essential. Frequently cool your head or shoulders with an ice pack. If you are sensitive to heat, prepare a fan or mini fan. Don’t forget an umbrella. Using an umbrella actually reduces fatigue. It blocks not only heat but also ultraviolet rays, preventing skin burns. Hang a towel on the umbrella ribs to frequently wipe sweat and grip. Wearing a hat is also a must. Wear a cap with a full crown to protect your scalp.

Your skin is precious. Keep sunscreen in your caddy bag. Golf courses have high grass reflectivity and, along with ski resorts, are among the places with the strongest sunlight. Prepare sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) over 50. Apply it thickly at first and reapply every three holes considering it washes off with sweat. The back of the neck is important because you lower your head every time you putt. If sticky sunscreen is uncomfortable, use powder, spray, or sun sticks. Sunglasses are equally important. They block UVA and UVB rays, reducing eye fatigue.

Wearing functional golf wear allows for a comfortable round.

Be careful when choosing your outfit. With the full summer season underway, UV-blocking golf wear is the trend. These clothes are lightweight, comfortable, and excellent at relieving heat, attracting golfers. They are highly elastic and quickly wick away sweat. Even after long rounds, they keep you comfortable. Wearing cooling hand covers and UV arm sleeves is also recommended. They protect your skin and allow you to stand out fashionably on the course. Recently, golf courses have been allowing shorts, enabling a cooler round.

The starting point of the best shot is, of course, grip. Bring more gloves than usual. Golfers with sweaty hands should change gloves frequently. After the rainy season, the ground becomes weak. Be cautious when taking shots on slopes. Playing recklessly can lead to serious injuries. Setting a ‘house rule’ in dangerous areas is not a bad idea. Preventing injury comes before scoring.

When exhausted by the heat, your body balance collapses. Physical fatigue increases, and concentration decreases. Rushing will not yield the expected results. Maintain a calm ‘pre-shot routine’ as usual. Grip the club down and hit the ball accurately with a three-quarter swing. Be aggressive around the green. Due to the hot and humid climate, the grass, which is vulnerable to pests, cannot be cut short. Also, sprinklers are frequently used, leaving moisture on the course. Wedge shots directly targeting the pin are possible. The same applies to putting. Ignore slight slopes and stroke boldly enough for the ball to pass the hole.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.