Now That It’s Summer, Let’s Keep Cool on the Golf Course

No matter how big a golf enthusiast you are, you can’t deny this one fact: it’s hot. Summer is finally here, and although we do love the heat in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach (there’s no better way to enjoy a swim in the Gulf), playing golf in the heat can be tough.

While keeping your cool on the golf course can be equally as tough—sometimes that slice just won’t go away no matter how many adjustments you make—simply keeping cool is a little more manageable if you follow these basic tips.

If possible, play during the coolest temperatures—in the morning before the sun beats down on the course. You’ll at least start your round before the heat really sets in. Dress in light, comfortable clothing, and stay hydrated with plenty of cold water. Hats help too—anything to ward off the sun. And avoid overly salty and sugary foods and snacks that might dehydrate you.

Several Gulf Shores & Orange Beach golf courses also offer special features to help you beat the heat on the course. Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend at Craft Farms, for example, offers ice-cold towels. And they’re mango-scented, which helps you feel extra refreshed. And Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club offers chilled apples at the first tee of all three nines.

Finally, follow up your game with a refreshing drink and a little air conditioning in the golf club’s clubhouse. Then retreat to your condo or hotel for a dip in the pool.

And that’s how you enjoy a golf vacation in the summer.

Why Golfing on the Gulf is Ideal in February

Here’s why I love golfing this time of year: you can actually golf in the afternoon, something I personally can’t tolerate in the heat of summer. And golfing in the afternoon usually means paying afternoon (lower) rates.

Of course, ability to play golf in the afternoon (or any time of day) really depends on where you are. Obviously, if you’re in an area that’s actually experiencing winter, golf may be out of the question until spring. But in a place like Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, it is absolutely an ideal time for golf. And you’ll find some excellent afternoon golf rates among the area’s nine signature golf courses. Courses like Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend at Craft Farms and Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club currently offer an afternoon rate of $59; Rock Creek has an afternoon rate of $49, and Lost Key drops down to $40, to mention just a few.

And there’s an additional reason why February is a particularly good time for a Gulf Shores golf vacation—Mardi Gras! Several Mardi Gras parades and celebrations are coming up later this month. It’s a good time of year to play a little golf, catch some beads, and make the most of winter.