It’s a matter of great debate among golfers. Is the operative word in South Carolina “South” or “Carolina?” Either way, neither equates to tropical-warm weather in the winter. Sure, golfers will catch a few 60-degree days, and even an occasional 70-degree afternoon. But from December through February, many morning tee times take place in the high 30s and low 40s.
But with the proper apparel (and perhaps a wee bit of Scotch), golfers from the Upstate to the Lowcountry can enjoy the pursuit of par no matter what the mercury says. In the helping spirit of Old St. Nick, here are a few cold weather combos that will stand up to the elements in style.
RADMOR Golf
RADMOR was founded, and is based, in Seattle. So, you can be sure the upstart, sustainability-focused brand is all about tackling the elements. The Fall / Winter line features several new cool + cold weather pieces for doing battle with wind, rain, and sleet.
For maximum protection and warmth, layer the Radmerino BobRad Cashmere Blend Hoodie ($225) with the Anderson Hybrid Performance Vest Multi Camo ($175). This pairing will keep you plenty toasty on the course, and RADMOR’s extended range of motion stitching ensures you’ll continue swinging freely.
For slightly warmer-but-wet weather, pair the weather-resistant Moscrip Jacket ($225) with a Higgins Hoodie ($125) made from a proprietary blend of BCI Organic Cotton and Elastane. This combo will do you right amid temps in the mid to low 40s.
TRUE linkswear
A golfer is only as warm as his or her feet. Tacoma, Washington-based TRUE linkswear is the category leader in waterproof and water-resistant performance golf footwear. TRUE’s testing ground is the Pacific Northwest and its co-founder is Ryan Moore, an accomplished PGA TOUR player.
TRUE’s go-to, all-weather offering is the Original 1.2 ($170), which delivers a distinctive minimalist fit, wide toe box and zero-drop experience. Naturally enhancing comfort and engineered for walking, the 1.2s were designed for 36-hole-days in four-season climates.
TRUE just released its all-new, All Day Pants line, featuring the All Day Chino and All Day Five-Pocket editions, both retailing for $125. They are water-resistant, warm but breathable and boast four-way stretch mobility.
Accessorize
Both RADMOR and TRUE are big on cold-weather apparel accessories. After all, pants, hoodies, jackets and vests are just half the battle (well, maybe a bit more than half). RADMOR’s all-cotton RADSOCKs ($36) are mindfully made from a combo of cellulose, recycled nylon and elastane.
TRUE’s Wool Stitched Dead Golfer Beanie ($40) keeps that all-important head warm as you play. And for golfers on a budget, or those who just want to source some killer deals, don’t forget to check out TRUE’s new Second Chance Footwear.
Golf Ballin’
According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), distance decreases by two yards for every 10-degree drop in the temperature. Simply put, cold air is denser and creates more drag. That makes the wintertime the perfect time to take a hard look at your golf ball collection.
Leading direct-to-consumer golf ball brand OnCore Golf released a new version of its award-winning ELIXR three-piece ball last spring and followed that up with the four-piece, 95-compression VERO X2 in October. All told, OnCore now offers four golf balls ranging from the super-soft, AVANT 55 two-piece ball and original ELIXR, to the VERO X1, ELIXR 2022 and VERO X2.
To determine which ball is right for their games, golfers can either take the online ball fitting assessment at the OnCore website, or simply order the new Performance Pack, including a sleeve of the VERO X1, X2, ELIXR 2022 and AVANT 55. Currently retailing for just $35, it’s a solid value and will demystify the ball selection process. OnCore’s Senior Technical Advisor John Calabria, who enjoyed long stints with Titleist and TaylorMade, recommends testing balls around the greens, first, and working out to full tee shots.
