If You Hate the Heatwave, How About "Night Golf"?

Bring Plenty of Colored Balls, Rangefinder and Insect Repellent Spray 'Essential', Also Prepare Ice Water and Snacks

As the heatwave continues, 'Night Golf,' where players enjoy rounds at night, is gaining attention.

[Asia Economy Reporter Nowrae Noh] It is the season for night golf.

It is a way to escape the record-breaking heatwave that continues day after day. However, the social distancing guidelines in the Seoul metropolitan area have been raised to the highest level, Level 4, causing some restrictions. Gatherings of three or more people are prohibited after 6 p.m., so only two-player games are allowed. This is unwelcome news for golfers who have been waiting for night rounds. If you turn your eyes to Gangwon-do and Chungcheong-do, four-player games are possible. This is a night golf know-how that can blow away COVID-19 depression.

During the long summer days, the first 5 to 6 holes are played in daylight, and the remaining holes are played under lights in a dreamy atmosphere. Recent advances in lighting technology do not significantly interfere with play. Careful preparation is necessary for an enjoyable night golf experience. First, bring plenty of balls. No matter how bright it is, night is night. Yellow balls are more visible than white ones, and fluorescent colors are even better.

The clear trajectory of the ball flying enhances concentration. Domestic golf ball manufacturer Volvik, as well as the 'Number 1' Titleist, have released various colored balls. Dunlop Sports has introduced a new concept colored ball: the Srixon Z-Star Divide and Z-Star XV Divide. Half is yellow, half is white. It makes aiming easier when shooting and putting. You can easily check the ball’s spin speed, direction, and landing spot.

During night rounds, color balls, distance meters, and insect repellents are prepared.

Bringing a rangefinder is also essential. Voice Caddie’s Hybrid GPS Laser SL2 is useful at night when the pin is hard to see, thanks to its external LCD screen. It is the world’s first model to feature GPS pin assist function by combining GPS and laser rangefinder technology. It helps measure only the pin on the green, providing fast and accurate distance information. Continuous measurement is possible. It corrects distance based on tour pro statistical data. It is resistant to hand tremors, making it comfortable to use.

Golf courses have many trees and grass, which means there are many mosquitoes and bugs. This is even more so at night when the lights are on. Usually, bug repellent spray is prepared in the cart, but it is good to be prepared just in case. Shorts and short skirts are obviously a no-go. The sun is strong in the early part of the round. Sunscreen is a must-have. Prepare one with a sun protection factor (SPF) over 50. Powder, spray, and nowadays, portable sun sticks are popular.

Sweating a lot can cause dehydration and lead to decreased concentration. You need to supply enough fluids. Barley tea or mineral water containing weak alkaline components is best. First, bring ice water. Drink it little by little to avoid problems. Salt is essential to prevent dehydration symptoms. Also, bring snacks. Fruits like bananas and grapes replenish energy. Shots should be compact, and considering that the greens are covered with dew, putts should be stronger than usual.