Keep Yourself Cool On The Golf Course This Summer With Some Tips.

With the summer months getting into full swing you need to start taking care of yourself when doing any exercise but it is especially important to take care when out on the golf course. Many people don't realise how much sun you actually get when trudging round the course for five hours during the midday sun when out on the course. When on a golfing holiday it is even more important to make sure you keep cool and protect your skin from the sun's rays. So how can you make sure you stay cool during your next round well here are a few tips to help you out.

If possible try and cover up as much as possible to keep the harmful UV rays off your skin. There is a wide range of under garments that can be used to keep moisture away from your skin allowing you to sweat and keep cool, but also protecting your arms from the sun. If you don't want to wear these then look for loose clothing that can allow cooling breezes to get inside and keep your temperature down. The modern day fabrics that are used in golf shirts allows for moisture to be transported away from your body using your own in-built cooling mechanism, sweating, to be as effective as possible. You body naturally sweats, which then evaporates taking heat away from your skin in the process, so having clothing that allows this to happen will make sure you are cool.

Hats are great to keep the sun off your head but can become a little bit hot underneath them. Try wearing a visor which will allow some heat to escape while keeping the sun off your face, however make sure to use plenty of sunscreen on the top of your head. Alternatively wear a wide brimmed hat that will keep the sun off your neck as well as your face. Again pick material that will allow heat and sweat to escape from your head to help keep you cool.

If you can afford to be playing golf Turkey then you wouldn't be too worried about rain, but in our climate you have to make sure you are prepared for the odd sharp shower. One minute you might be strolling down the fairway in the baking sunshine, the next you might be running for cover from the rain. An umbrella is useful to carry with you as it will not only protect from these showers but you can also use it to shade yourself from the sun. The extra humidity that happens after rain showers have passed can make it hard for your body to cool itself as sweat won't evaporate as well in humid conditions. It is therefore important to make sure that any rain jackets are lightweight and made of a good quality breathable material like your shirts to allow moisture to be moved away from your skin and keep you as cool as possible.

Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before your round and re-apply at regular intervals, as sweat will wash the cream off your skin making it less protective. Using factor 30 or higher will ensure that you are protected from the sun's harmful rays during the whole of your round.

One good tip is to place a damp towel and a half filled bottle of water in the freezer the night before your round. If you then fill the bottle completely before you play you will have a cold drink to sip all day long as the ice slowly melts. The damp towel will also stay cool for a while meaning you have something to wipe your head and neck to try and keep extra cool. If you wet your hat this will also evaporate and help keep you head cool as well.

It is very important to keep your fluid levels up all the way round. Drops in your hydration levels can severely affect your concentration and prevent you from playing at your best. Make sure to drink plenty of water on your round and make sure that you avoid sugary, fizzy and alcoholic drinks as these can dehydrate you even more. Isotonic drinks are good to replace any salts or minerals your will also loose during sweating. If you can carry it, take a couple of litres of water out with you and take regular sips to keep you fluid levels up. If there are course marshals about selling water then take advantage and stock up on more water where possible. Also use the water fountains round the course to help improve your hydration levels.

If you are lucky enough to be golfing in foreign hotter climes, then try to arrange tee times that avoid the hottest part of the day between twelve and two. Resorts often offer the use of buggies which can help to reduce the amount you are carrying and how far you walk so helping to keep you cool. They can also be good in that you can use them for shade from the sun but otherwise try to find the shade when you can, perhaps take advantage of that wild slice by visiting the trees for some deserved rest in the shade!

Make sure the clothing you ware is loose and preferably made from breathable material. The body naturally cools itself by sweating and if you clothing doesn't let the air through then the sweat can't evaporate and cool your skin. Modern shirts are made of lightweight polyester fabrics which often have special mesh areas where you tend to sweat most, allowing the skin to breathe. The fabric allows sweat to be wicked away from your skin so helping to cool it. There is a large range of under garments from pants and vests, to full length shirts, which are designed to sit very close to your skin and move moisture away from your skin. These are also very good for protecting your arms from harmful UV rays from the sun. Shorts are always a good way to keep the air flowing round you and make sure you stay cool.

Wearing a visor is great to keep the sun off your face however you must make sure that you wear sunscreen on the top of your head to prevent you from getting burnt. A wide brimmed hat will help keep the sun from your face and your neck but may look a little strange. Regular caps are good in that they will keep the sun off your head and also your face. Material in the caps can be similar to modern shirts in that they can be made of material designed to keep moisture away from your head so also helping to cool your head.

The weather can be very unpredictable, one minute you will be out in scorching sunshine, the next it will be pouring down with rain. Unless you plan on being away playing golf in Turkey, it is important to be prepared for weather like this. An umbrella is useful as not only can it protect from the rain but it can also help shade you from the sun. If you can take a lightweight jacket out with you in case of showers but make sure it will keep you cooler than a heavy jacket. The extra humidity created by any showers will also make it harder for your sweat to evaporate and cool you so try and get jackets made of similar materials to your shirt that will help transfer moisture away from you.

Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before your round and re-apply at regular intervals, as sweat will wash the cream off your skin making it less protective. Using factor 30 or higher will ensure that you are protected from the sun's harmful rays during the whole of your round.

One good tip is to place a damp towel and a half filled bottle of water in the freezer the night before your round. If you then fill the bottle completely before you play you will have a cold drink to sip all day long as the ice slowly melts. The damp towel will also stay cool for a while meaning you have something to wipe your head and neck to try and keep extra cool. If you wet your hat this will also evaporate and help keep you head cool as well.

Drink plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated. Studies have shown that even a minor loss of fluids can cause significant drops in concentration levels which are very important for keeping you going on the golf course. Try and take a couple of litres of water with you if you can carry that much and make sure to take regular sips to keep your fluid levels up. If you can't carry much water make sure you know where there are taps and water fountains on the course and top up you and your water bottles on a regular basis. If there are course marshals around on the course selling water then stock up with extra fluid when you can. Avoid sugary or fizzy drinks and especially alcohol, as these will not hydrate you as well as water or isotonic drinks. Isotonic drinks can help replace essential minerals and salts you will lose as you sweat.

If you are lucky enough to be golfing in foreign hotter climes, then try to arrange tee times that avoid the hottest part of the day between twelve and two. Resorts often offer the use of buggies which can help to reduce the amount you are carrying and how far you walk so helping to keep you cool. They can also be good in that you can use them for shade from the sun but otherwise try to find the shade when you can, perhaps take advantage of that wild slice by visiting the trees for some deserved rest in the shade!

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

If you want to find out about golf Spain or golf Portugal then visit Your Golf Travel.

by: Ian Fletcher

Total views: 2 Word Count: 1686 Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 Time: 2:32 PM - 0 comments

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