I don't think that anyone could say that they truly enjoy golfing in the rain – surely everyone dreams of playing golf in short sleeves on a perfect early summer's day with only a hint of a breeze to occasionally flutter the flag. However, whilst the rain may dampen your spirits, you can make a few simple preparations to make sure that you enjoy playing golf in the rain as much as you possibly can – after all, it's still better than work, isn't it? There's an upside too – if you make these few simple, common-sense preparations, you might just have the edge on your golf partners – now that's got to be worth a smile...
* A sturdy golf umbrella is essential when playing golf in the rain – don't skimp on the cost of this as the cheaper, flimsier versions will soon turn inside out if the rain is accompanied by wind, which it often is – if you live in the UK or Ireland, I don't need to say any more!
* If you have an electric trolley, buy a fixed umbrella holder for it – this will provide continuous cover for your golf bag and leave your hands free.
* Buy a rain hood for your golf bag – not only will this keep your clubs and spare clothes as dry as possible, but it will also make for easier access into your golf bag, so that you don't let the rain in each time you take something out of the bag.
* Keep good quality, breathable waterproofs (jacket and trousers) in your golf bag – don't be tempted to buy cheap ones, as these will stick to you and particularly during a summer downpour, you will get increasingly hot and uncomfortable.
* Instead of having just one towel to wipe your clubs and golf balls, have a second towel in the bag for wiping your hands and golf club grips. It's a good idea to attach these towels to the inside struts of your umbrella to keep them dry in between uses.
* Instead of a normal leather glove, use special waterproof gloves, which retain their grip when wet – these make a huge difference. It's a good idea to wear a pair instead of a single glove and this will help stop the golf club grips from slipping when you swing. Some people advocate taking your gloves off in between shots and hanging them under your umbrella - personally I find this too cumbersome – but it works for some.
* For those miserable days, when the rain is continuous, have a second pair of waterproof gloves in your golf bag to change into when the first pair becomes saturated.
* Keep your head as dry as possible – wear a peaked cap to keep the water out of your eyes or away from your glasses as much as possible.
* If you wear glasses, keep a couple of dry cloths in your bag to give them an occasional clean and wipe. Having worn glasses for many years until I finally succumbed to laser surgery, I know how frustrated rain-soaked spectacles can make you feel!
* Make sure that you wear good waterproof golf shoes and regularly clean and re-waterproof them between rounds. There are few things more dispiriting than trudging around a course with wet feet for 3 or 4 hours!
I think it's safe to say that it's still infinitely nicer to play golf on a warm,sunny day, but by making these preparations, you should still be able to enjoy golfing in the rain. And if your forethought means that you end up beating your playing partners...well, that can't be bad, can it?
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