Insect Repellent, White-Colored Clothing
Colored Balls, Sunscreen, Sunglasses
Distance Meter, Hydration, Salt Preparation
This is an unprecedented climate anomaly. Both heatwaves and heavy rains are continuing. Daytime high temperatures are exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and are expected to rise even further. There is a way to enjoy the golf course while avoiding the heatwave: night golf. With thorough preparation, you can enjoy a pleasant round.
Most golf courses in Korea are built on mountainous terrain. With abundant trees and grass, mosquitoes and insects often disrupt play. The presence of water hazards creates an ideal environment for mosquitoes to thrive. This year, due to unusually high temperatures, insects have become even more active. The situation worsens at night when the lights are turned on. While insect repellent spray is usually available in the cart, it is wise to prepare in case it is not. Spray your body twice during the round. There are also bracelets, patches, and necklaces that repel insects.
Thorough preparation is necessary when playing rounds at night to avoid the heatwave. Photo by Jangsu Golf Resort
When playing night golf, it is important to choose your clothing carefully. For safety, wear clothes that are easily visible to your companions. Opt for white or blue tones rather than black. During the summer season, golf wear made from UV-blocking materials is popular. Choose outfits that are lightweight, comfortable, and effective at keeping you cool. Avoid shorts and short skirts. For tops, long sleeves are preferable to short sleeves. Recently, there are many functional wear options available. With cooling fabrics, you can play comfortably even in the height of summer.
Prepare plenty of colored balls. No matter how bright it is, night is still night. Thanks to the densely lit lights, the fairway is bright, but it is still not as easy to see the ball as during the day. If you miss the fairway, it is not easy to find your ball. This is why highly visible balls are necessary. Yellow balls are more visible than white ones, and fluorescent colors are even better. They stand out even in the rough, hazards, or out-of-bounds (OB) areas.
At sunset, ultraviolet rays are still quite strong. Prepare sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of over 50. There are powders, sprays, and now even portable sun sticks. To maximize the effectiveness of sunblock, apply it thoroughly 30 minutes before playing. Bring sunglasses to block sunlight at the beginning of the round, and take them off after sunset. Sunglasses block UVA and UVB rays, preventing eye fatigue.
A distance meter is essential. Communication with the caddie may not be smooth at night. It is a necessary item for quick play. If measuring distance is inconvenient, wear an AI golf watch. You will still sweat a lot at night, and dehydration may occur. Make sure to stay hydrated. Barley tea or mineral water with mildly alkaline properties is ideal. Also, bring salt to prevent dehydration symptoms.
Night golf starts at 5 p.m. There is no need to take a day off from work. You can enjoy night golf at conveniently located courses on weekdays. After playing the first 5 to 6 holes, you can enjoy the rest of the round under the lights in a dreamy atmosphere while watching the sunset. Night golf is economical. Green fees are inexpensive, at about 70 to 80 percent of weekday rates. It is popular because you can play a self-round without a caddie. The cost-effectiveness is excellent.
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