Golfers heading to the Gulf Coast during the summer months will know that the searing hot temperatures can create a challenging experience for every standard. While Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer 32 miles of pristine beaches that may seem like a preferable location to relax during these summer months, the golf course remains a popular spot because of the longer days and desire to take advantage of the perfect weather.
Whether you plan on taking advantage of the idyllic conditions or simply prefer to stay cool and head directly to the 19th hole, there are several ways you can maximize your summer golf vacation. You'll also ensure you take advantage of the awesome courses available along this stretch of Alabama coastline.
Play early in the morning or late in the day
Avoid the heat of the day by booking an early morning tee time, or consider an early evening twilight round as the sun is setting. If you book a tee time in the middle of the afternoon, you will likely have to deal with several other golfers on the course, which may add to your frustration levels, and you will also be dealing with the highest temperatures.
When Gary Player spoke these infamous words, “If there’s a golf course in heaven, I hope it’s like Augusta National. I just don’t want an early tee time,” he was clearly suggesting that later in the day is the optimal time. However, the positives of early tee times may well sway you to book that morning slot on your next golfing vacation. Golfers are also more likely to score better when they play early in the morning, as there have been fewer golfers on the course, which allows for lesser ball marks and smoother greens to putt on.
Depending on whether you are a morning or evening person will likely determine your preference, but this is certainly one way to stay cool and maximize your on-course enjoyment levels in the heart of summer.
Drink plenty of fluids.
It may seem obvious, but your energy levels will drop quickly when you are on the golf course in the middle of summer. It’s critical to stay hydrated to not only enhance your on-course performance but also so you can remain in peak physical condition.
While you may be tempted to drink your favorite soda or even an alcoholic beverage, you are better saving these for the 19th hole experience after the round. Focus on drinking plenty of water and energy drinks. You may be surprised at how this positively impacts your performance and ensures you can remain fully energized for the remainder of the round.
Golf is primarily a game of skill, but if your focus and concentration levels drop, your performance on the course will suffer. When temperatures are rising, you are at a much higher risk of suffering heat exhaustion, and subsequently, your game will reflect this. As your body perspires, you are not only losing water but also electrolytes that are needed to maintain fluid balance and muscle contractions, hence the need to have energy drinks or nutrition bars and fruit.
A general rule of thumb to follow regarding how much you should drink is to follow the philosophy of 8-16 ounces every 30 minutes. For a 4-hour round, that would be a minimum of 64-128 ounces.
3. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Regardless of the time of day you choose to play, you must take care of your body by wearing plenty of sunscreen. Summer golf trips to the Gulf Coast require you to be wearing no less than SPF 30 and be sure you apply plenty of this to your face and neck, which are areas where the sun can cause the most damage.
It’s always recommended to apply sunscreen prior to the round but also be sure to take a tube or spray with you in your golf bag so you can constantly apply more as needed. Golfers are at a much higher risk of exposure to those harmful rays, given that they are out in the sunlight for 4-5 hours without much respite. Don’t be afraid to apply too much sunscreen as you will be better off with having too much than not enough!
4. Manage your golf schedule.
Heading to the Gulf Coast with your golfing buddies in the middle of summer and raring to create an action-packed itinerary full of golf? While that sounds awesome, careful planning of your golfing itinerary will ensure you maximize your experience in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
If you take advantage of the early start vs. twilight hours approach, you can maximize your schedule by playing early one day and then late the next day. This will give your body the most time to recover and re-energize to ensure both your performance levels and health are not impacted as you play the plethora of excellent courses on the Gulf Coast.
5. Maintain a steady pace and seek shade.
Golfers frequently endure frustrating experiences on the course, especially after hitting a bad shot. You could be forgiven for wanting to rush to your next shot after this, but during the middle of summer, this is something you should try to avoid and focus your attention on maintaining a steady pace. Nothing makes the heat worse than suffering an on-course tantrum to enhance those frustration levels!
The summer months are a popular time for golfers from all corners of the world to head to the Gulf Coast, so be prepared for a longer round. Prepare for longer waits and use this time to seek shade as it’s frequently at least 10 degrees cooler there.
Play a round at one or several of the beautiful courses in and around Alabama's beaches this summer!
