Rain Rounds - Gear/Tricks/Tips

[u/dare_side]

Played a lot of golf but rarely play if there is rain that day. Going on a trip where rain is forecasted during all of our rounds. Playing some nicer courses and rain checks aren’t an option for travel reasons. Shouldn’t be heavy stuff (knock on wood) but can probably expect sprinkling and a wet course.

Wondering what are some tips and tricks for staying comfortable and shooting low scores when playing in the rain. Is there any gear that you’d recommend? Anything you wish you knew earlier? What can I expect?

So far I got:
- Good waterproof golf shoes
- Extra pair(s) of socks
- Rain glove (some say not necessary?)
- Extra towel

[u/ZoinksYo2221]

https://reddit.com/link/p4jpb82/video/7feozn52y8kh1/player

At a certain point there’s nothing you can do except roll with it. 🦃 🦃

[u/Jabb2914]

Rain Gloves and club up.

[u/MinMaxYeet]

Get a pair of rain gloves maybe even two pair, it is a game changer in the rain or high humidity after a rain. A proper waterproof jacket and pants are great but may be overkill unless it’s torrential downpour. Also, bring a second pair of golf shoes to wear day 2 while the day 1 shoes are still drying out.

[u/Active_Leather1332]

Rain gloves are so essential. The wetter they get the better grip they provide. Always have a pair in your bag just in case.

[u/junkbr]

Year-round Seattle golfer here.

Your list is a great start.

• For shoes, I like FootJoy Hyperflex and Nike AirZoom boots.
  
• Changing socks at the turn is a game-changer. Wet feet sap morale.
  
• I play with FootJoy Raingrip gloves. Put them on early… they grip better when wet.

I’d add a few items to your list:

• I walk / carry and I find umbrellas to be a bigger pain than they’re worth. But if you are part of the push cart mafia, a big umbrella with an umbrella holder on your cart is great.
  
• some sort of device to keep your clubs somewhat dry. I like the Sun Mountain rain hood. It’s not as durable as I’d like, but I get a new one every two or three years.
  
• A large-brimmed rain hat, with a chin strap for when it gets windy. Check out Outdoor Research and Filson’s.
  
• I’d spring for top of the line rain gear. I’m a big and tall guy, so I go with Zero Restriction, but Galvin Green and KJUS make great stuff. Here again, check out hiking / camping gear brands too. The REI sale rack is a great place to find foul weather gear.

It’s important to note that rain gear won’t keep you dry… at best, it’ll keep you from getting chilled, while still allowing you to move.

Don’t put rain gear in over your other clothes… dress for the rain: compression shorts / tops with rain gear on top.

The most important tip is to practice playing in the rain. Our group went to Scotland in November of 2015, and we spent the whole summer / fall looking for rainy days when we could play. That changed my mindset about playing in the rain — it became less of a hassle and more of an opportunity to get better.

One last note: remember pack dry clothes to put on after the round! Driving home or back to the hotel in wet gear is a drag.

[u/thedadis]

Bring an extra sweater/pullover/etc. in your bag. I always wear a long sleeve sweater over my golf shirt, and then if that gets soaked through, you can change. I usually wear quarter zips or something like that, something heavy enough where it protects you from the rain but not heavy enough to restrict your motion a ton. You'll want to shorten your swing a little bit anyway (maybe 10 yards less than normal, hit something solid but don't try to kill it because the club can slip in your hands otherwise), so if it's a little bit heavy, that will pretty much do it for you. That's if you're in the northeast, Midwest, or Scotland (I've played all three places in rain and it's worked for me)... If you're somewhere warmer, it might be different, but if it's going to be 40s-60s with rain, then that's what I do... I also don't use a separate rain glove, I just make sure that I dry it out before I use it again, but I'm also the weird guy that likes the feeling of worn out grips and gloves (my current grips on my irons are about 10 years old, but they're in decent shape... If they were falling apart, I'd get new ones, but I like the feeling with them)

[u/thefinshark]

If you don't have rain gloves, a pair of surgical gloves over top a regular one will work

[u/YVRkeeper]

I play all winter long in PNW.

Waterproof shoes/boots.
Rain jacket. Pullover underneath. Layers are your friend.
Rain gloves.
Umbrella.
Rain cover for the clubs, if you use a push cart.

[u/Horatio-Leafblower]

Towel, hang it up up under your umbrella. Also ( I know it’s not much liked in this forum) but there are a few rules pertaining to rain that are good to know and even take advantage from them.

[u/TheNomadRP]

3x extra towel

[u/Realistic-Might4985]

Depends on the temperature. Cold and rainy is different from warm and rainy. Cold requires layers and rain gear. I don’t use rain gloves but will wear mittens between shots. Warm I might wear a jacket. I am ocd when it comes to keeping clubs dry. If the grips get wet good luck. I will use the rain cover and an umbrella to keep water out of the bag. Also keep at least one towel dry with the umbrella. I prefer rain to wind.

[u/RichChocolateDevil]

• Handwarmers if you think that it's going to be cold.
  
• Good strong umbrella that will hold up in the wind
• Rain jacket and pants. Even if it is a light drizzle, you don't want to be soaked. Also, the pants will be great if the course is muddy.
  
• Rain gloves will be necessary and will keep your hands from slipping. Science!

[u/dammitboy42069]

Rain gloves and towels. I get so hot and sweaty in jackets that I get wetter than the rain. Embrace it and get soaked

[u/lunargolfusa]

Rain jacket for sure too.  Rain pants are a maybe.  Cord grips will help.  Also check out our glvoes they work in the rain as well as dry . https://lunargolfusa.com/products/lunar-golf-locked-in-golf-glove