Cool Breeze Stress Relief Amid Heatwave Warning
Green Fee at 70~80% on Weekdays, Great Cost-Effectiveness
Accessible Weekday Golf Courses Enjoyable Without Taking Leave
Bring Insect Repellent, Performance Wear, and Colored Balls
The heatwave arrived early. The daytime high temperature in Seoul exceeded 36 degrees Celsius. A heatwave warning has already been issued. No matter how intense the heat gets, it cannot stop the passion of avid golfers. They have night golf. After playing the first 5 to 6 holes, they can enjoy the remaining holes under lights in a dreamy atmosphere while savoring the sunset. Advances in lighting technology do not significantly interfere with play. Right after the round, they relieve accumulated stress by drinking a cold beer.
This also aligns with the nationwide brain health project called Hamanhacheon (One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day Thousand Characters) exercise, which Asia Economy has been conducting since 2023. Starting from the 15th of last month, the ‘Golf Course Lawn Ten Thousand Steps Walking Challenge’ has been held contactlessly. This event runs until the 14th of next month. Through a lottery, participants can win prizes such as free use vouchers for Seowon Hills, a prestigious golf course in Paju, Ping Boston bags, TaylorMade TP5X golf balls, Titleist golf caps, and Lapaz UV protection patches. Those with the highest participation can also receive Dunlop XXIO drivers, Voice Caddie CL2 devices, and Srixon hybrids. It’s everything about night golf where you can take care of your health and receive gifts.
Night golf is romantic. You can blow away the heat and tropical nights against the backdrop of beautiful nature. Listening to birdsong brings peace of mind. Night golf starts at 5 p.m. There is no need to take a day off. You can enjoy night golf at golf courses with good accessibility on weekdays. It is economical. Green fees are cheaper, about 70-80% of weekday rates. It is popular because you can play self-rounds without a caddie. The cost-effectiveness is excellent.
Thorough preparation is necessary for a happy night golf experience. Most domestic golf courses are built on mountainous terrain. Trees and grass attract mosquitoes and insects that interfere with play. Water hazards provide a good habitat for mosquitoes. This year, due to abnormal high temperatures, insects are more rampant. It gets worse at night when the lights are on. Usually, insect repellent spray is prepared in the cart, but it is good to be prepared in case it is not available. Spray it twice on your body during the round. There are also bracelets, patches, and necklaces that insects dislike. Shorts and short skirts are obviously forbidden. Wear long sleeves rather than short sleeves. Recently, there are many functional wear options. Using cooling materials, you can comfortably hit the ball even in midsummer.
At sunset, ultraviolet rays are quite intense. Prepare sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) over 50. There are powders, sprays, and nowadays, convenient portable sun sticks. Sunglasses are also brought to block sunlight during the early part of the round. You can take them off after sunset. They block UVA and UVB rays, preventing eye fatigue.
When playing night golf, clothing choice should be made carefully. Wear clothes that are easily visible to companions for safety. Wear white or blue tones rather than black. With the summer season, golf wear made from UV-blocking materials is the trend. Choose lightweight, comfortable clothing with excellent heat relief functions. It keeps you comfortable even during long rounds. Wear cooling hand covers and UV arm sleeves as well. Although it is summer, you can feel cold in the mountains. Temperatures drop about 5 degrees compared to daytime. Bring a windbreaker.
Prepare plenty of colored balls. No matter how bright it is, night is night. Thanks to densely lit lighting, the fairway is brightly illuminated, but the ball is not as clearly visible as during the day. If you miss the fairway, it is difficult to find the ball. This is why balls with excellent ‘visibility’ are necessary. Yellow balls are more visible than white ones, and fluorescent colors are even better. They stand out in roughs, hazards, and out-of-bounds (OB) areas. The clear trajectory of the ball helps improve concentration. Also, put fluorescent-finished tees in the caddie bag.
A rangefinder is essential. Communication with the caddie may not be smooth at night. It is a necessary item for quick play. Many products equipped with LCD screens are useful at night when the pin is hard to see. They are lightweight, high-performance, and cost-effective. If measuring distance is inconvenient, wear an AI golf watch. It looks good and also serves as an accessory.
You sweat a lot even at night. Dehydration symptoms may occur and lead to decreased concentration. You need to supply sufficient 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.
The air is heavy at night. In humid summer, the driving distance also decreases. When choosing clubs, take about one club more than usual. Shots should be compact. The greens also do not roll well due to night dew. Putts require stronger strokes than during the day. You also read the line less. Domestic golf courses provide various services for a cool round for visitors. Ice water, ice packs, and towels are free.
Strictly follow the safety rules presented by the golf course. Visibility is narrower than during the day, so more caution is needed. Be especially careful on slopes and near lakes. Be careful that shadows cast by the lights do not interfere with your companion’s play. Bringing outside food is allowed. Prepare snacks such as bananas, grapes, bread, and cookies to replenish energy. This helps maintain concentration and leads to better play. If you have to go to work the next morning, it is better to avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee during the round.
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