Glenmuir Icon Sunderland Icon Macwet Icon
Back to articles

What to wear for winter golf

Prepare yourself for this winter on the golf course with this guide on what to wear for winter golf.

25 October 2023 Words by Anniina 5 minute read What to wear for winter golf

Table of Contents

  1. Winter Top Layers
  2. Winter Bottom Layers
  3. Winter Golf Accessories
  4. Tips For Staying Warm When Playing Golf In Winter
  5. FAQs
  6. Wrapping Up

Come rain or shine, you will always find someone on the golf course. And those hardcore golfers that insist on a round of cold weather golf in the height of winter should know how to stay warm to still have an enjoyable game.

This article will discuss what you should wear for winter golf so that the cold days don't ruin your game. We will also provide you with some additional tips to remain warm while on the course, all while wearing the right winter golf gear.

Winter Top Layers

To stay warm during cold weather golf, we recommend a layering system for your torso. This will allow you to remove layers as you get warm, but will also keep the worst chill out.

Base layer

The very first layer is the base layer, which is closest to your skin. This layer will trap your body heat, making sure you stay nice and toasty.

Base layers should be skin-tight and not restrict your movement. Ideally, it should consist of a natural fibre with moisture-wicking properties that will help you stay dry.

The g.KELSO Long Sleeved Cotton Shirt is the perfect example of a base-layer shirt. Cotton is soft and will keep you warm. The roll neck is a nice bonus that will keep your neck warm. For ladies, the g.FERN Long Sleeved Cotton Shirt is a great option.

g.KELSO Mens Long Sleeve Cotton Roll Neck Golf Shirt g.FERN Ladies Long Sleeve Cotton Roll Neck Golf Shirt

Polo shirt

Most golf courses will insist you wear a polo shirt. There are plenty of short-sleeved polo shirts available, but in winter you will be better off with a long-sleeved shirt. It will offer protection from the cold and add an extra layer of warmth over your base layer.

The g.MISHA Long-Sleeved Polo is the perfect attire for female golfers, while the men's g.MAX Long-Sleeved Polo will also get the job done. These shirts are made from performance polyester, which means your golf swing won't be restricted.

Sweater or gilet

Next, you want to make sure you have a sweater on hand. Even if you don't wear it, it is good to carry golf sweaters with you in case you need some extra warmth. We'd definitely recommend sweaters made from natural or blended fabrics as these are soft and will keep you warm in cold weather.

The g.BECCA Zip Neck Cashmere Sweater is a lovely option for ladies. The zip allows you to quickly remove it once you start heating up, while the cashmere-cotton blend is silky soft. It has a water-repellent finish which might not keep you dry in a downpour but will help in misty conditions.

The g.JASPER Merino Zip Neck Sweater is a brilliant option for men. Merino wool is warm and has moisture-wicking properties, ensuring you stay dry when taking your next golf swing if it is damp out.

A golf gilet is also a good option as it allows your arms to still have freedom of movement while keeping your torso warm. For example, the g.BUTE Men's Zip Front Padded Bonded Down Golf Gilet hugs you, retaining body heat, while also keeping you dry.

s.WHISPERDRY PRO-LITE Mens Whisperdry Lightweight Waterproof Golf Jacket s.WHISPERDRY AURORA Ladies Concealed Hood Lightweight Waterproof Golf Jacket

Waterproof jacket

Your final winter golf clothing layer should be a reliable waterproof jacket. Rain showers can surprise us at any moment on the golf course, which is why keeping a rain jacket in your bag is never a bad idea.

Getting wet can really ruin your game and cause you to be even colder when the wind picks up. It might be a good idea to size up when you are buying waterproof jackets as you will be wearing them over other layers.

For men and women respectively, the s.WHISPERDRY PRO-LITE and s.WHISPERDRY AURORA Ultra Lightweight Waterproof Jackets are the way to go. These jackets have Sunderland of Scotland's signature NEVERWEATHERBEATEN technology and are easily packable.

Winter Bottom Layers

Once the wind blows it can really cut through your skin and chill you from the inside out. For that reason, we highly recommend that you also layer up when it comes to your legs.

Leggings or long johns

If you find your legs always feeling cold, then wearing a skin-tight layer over your legs is a good option. Soft leggings or long johns (thermal underwear for men) will help to keep your legs warm underneath your golf trousers.

Golf trousers

Winter golf pants are crucial if you want to focus on your golf swing without your legs going numb from the cold.

Typically, winter trousers are warm (some have a layer of fleece) and have the ability to keep you dry during light rain showers. An added bonus is that some are also wind-resistant which can really help you focus on your golf game.

Lightweight golf trousers, like the g.CUTHBERTS and g.KALEY, offer coverage but they are not ideal for those really chilly days. If it is wet or even snowy out, you may have to don a pair of waterproof pants.

Water-repellent golf trousers

Rain showers and cold temperatures are no surprise during the winter golf season. So, it is still up to you to be prepared for the worst.

A good pair of waterproof trousers can be layered over your base layer or worn by itself.

The g.JADE Thermal Performance Water Repellent Trousers are ideal for winter as the fleece lining will keep you warm while the outer layer is wind and water-resistant. The same can be said for the men's g.ASHURST trousers.

Winter Golf Accessories

Cold weather gear is about more than just the clothes you wear. You also need to get the right accessories if you wish to play golf in the colder seasons.

Waterproof golf shoes

Winter golf shoes are a must. These shoes are usually waterproof and snug, keeping your feet warm and dry, even on the muckiest golf course.

There really isn't anything worse than having to play 18 holes with wet feet.

If you don't want to dirty your car or golf bag after a rainy game, you can use a leather shoe bag to store your golf shoes until you can clean them when you get home.

Rain gloves or winter golf gloves

Cold, wet hands mean you are not going to be able to play your best (especially if you can't even feel the golf clubs in your hands).

Winter golf gloves should be worn to keep your hands warm. These gloves are often lined with fleece but have a grippy exterior so you can still have a good grip. Leather golf gloves are especially useful in winter as they have some natural wind resistance due to the thick leather fabric.

Rain gloves are also a good idea if you often head to the fairways in wet weather. The MacWet Rain Gloves are a good bet. These waterproof gloves are lightweight, allowing you to still feel the clubs' grips. The fleece lining keeps your fingers warm while the Climatec® technology keeps your hands dry.

CLIMATEC WINTER Mens and Ladies MacWet® Winter Climatec Golf Rain Gloves (Pair) g.MALABAR Mens And Ladies Thermal Lined Turn Up Rib Merino Golf Beanie Bobble Hat

Golf hats and beanies

A lot of your body heat escapes through your head, which makes it really crucial that you wear a winter golf hat to keep you extra warm.

Golf hats are great if you happen to play a round of golf on a sunny winter's day. Because of club rules, it is best to stick to hats without bold logos, like the Unisex g.COWAN Golf Cap.

On extra cold days, your ears will need to be snug too. A beanie or thermal bobble hat works great to keep your head and ears warm, especially if there is a cold wind blowing.

Golf towel

Golf towels can be used to dry off your wet hands, golf balls, shoes or clubs before your next shot.

Umbrella

You will almost never regret bringing an umbrella along to a round of winter golf. An umbrella is your last line of defence against a winter rain shower, and you can hang it over your golf bag when not in use.

Tips For Staying Warm When Playing Golf In Winter

Wearing the correct winter golf attire is crucial to staying warm. But, you can also take some additional steps on the course to make sure the winter weather doesn't get the best of you:

  • Pack an extra pair of dry golf socks.

  • Skip the golf cart - carrying your bag will heat you up.

  • Carry hand warmers with you.

  • Wear a scarf or snood.

FAQs

What are the best materials for winter golf clothes?

Materials with moisture-wicking properties like cotton, cashmere and Merino wool are great options to keep you warm, comfortable and dry in winter.

Are some colours better than others for winter golf attire?

Darker colours are better when you are playing golf in winter, as the dark colours are able to absorb the little bit of sunlight that might peek out, helping to warm you up.

Wrapping Up

If you dare to brave the cold air of winter, then you need to wear the right golf clothing to help you stay warm while allowing you to move freely. Layering is the way to go, as you can remove layers as you heat up while the game progresses.

Glenmuir has a wide range of golf clothing for all weather conditions so you can look, feel and play your best game.

 

RECENTLY VIEWED