Tips for Staying Cool on the Golf Course This Summer

There’s no better season to hit the links than summer – and this is doubly true for golfers living in areas that are prone to harsh winters. The consistently warm temperatures, endlessly blue skies and abundant sunshine summertime brings serve as the perfect backdrop for an all-around enjoyable game of 18 holes. Whether you’re a solo golfer or you prefer to play with friends, favorable weather is conducive to a better day on the green. Even if you’ve spent the winter honing your skills at indoor driving ranges, there’s simply no substitute for a traditional golf course.+

Unfortunately, summer golfing isn’t without its tribulations. Without the proper protection, spending an entire day – or even several consecutive hours – on the green can have unfavorable consequences. Exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke are all problems that affect ill-prepared golfers every summer. Luckily, taking a few simple precautions can go a surprisingly long way in keeping yourself safe on the golf course this summer. To ensure that your summertime golf outings are incident-free, take the following measures before grabbing your clubs and heading to your favorite course.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

When looking for effective ways to stay cool and stave off heatstroke and dehydration, you can’t go wrong with staying hydrated. During the summer months, hitting the links without a steady supply of cold water is extremely ill-advised. If you’re playing by yourself, take care to keep a cold-retaining water bottle within easy reach. Alternatively, if you’re playing with friends, having a drink-filled cooler on hand is sure to serve you and your playmates well. Furthermore, make a point of sticking to water and sports drinks, as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks will only serve to make you even thirstier.

Have a Well-Maintained Golf Cart at Your Disposal

Depending on how large a course you’re playing on, a dependable golf cart may be an absolute necessity. Lugging your clubs across an expansive green on a blisteringly hot day is a surefire recipe for exhaustion and/or heatstroke. Not only can a good cart comfortably transport you from hole to hole, it can also provide protection from the sun by way of its roof. To ensure that your golf cart remains in working condition for years to come, you’ll need to replace its battery and swap out parts on a semi-regular basis. Fortunately, unbeatable deals on a vast array of cart components can always be found at Blockbuster Golf Cars Inc.

Limit Your Sun Exposure

When playing a game that requires you to be outdoors for hours on end limiting your sun exposure is likely to seem easier said, than done. Fortunately, provided you have a reliable golf cart on hand, it can be fairly simple. If you’re playing with a group of friends, sit beneath the cart’s awning when they’re taking their turns. This will ensure that you’re only exposed to the sun when you absolutely need to be. Additionally, donning a cap and a pair of sunglasses will protect your eyes and scalp from UV exposure. Last – but certainly not least – never venture onto a golf course without sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied 15 to 30 minutes before you begin your game and reapplied throughout the day as the packaging demands.

Unlike football, hockey and other contact sports, golf generally isn’t associated with player injuries. However, hitting the green on a balmy summer day without taking the previously-discussed precautions can lead to injury and extreme discomfort. When it comes to summertime golfing, a lack of preparedness can turn a pleasant day on the green into an absolute nightmare, so if you intend to spend time on the golf course this summer, you can’t afford to take your safety for granted.

About the Author: Rich Frank is an industrial engineer and longtime golf enthusiast who resides in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Whenever his golf cart is in need of a new battery or part, Bruce pays a visit to Blockbuster Golf Cars Inc.

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