Page 63 - The Golf Guide, Summer 2016

Pro’s Corner

How do you do in HOT weather?

Larry Ringer, PGA Teaching Professional
MAPGA Hall of Fame

Musket Ridge Golf Club, Myersville, Maryland

Have you ever been on the golf course and started to
get a bit dehydrated and feel somewhat dizzy when
you survey your twenty foot par putt? Well, I have and
I can tell you that I know that I am not competing
at the highest level I normally do. So, what should
I do? The first thing I do is to get some fluids into
me and try to get to a shady area and cool my body
temperature down and try to get back to normal. Then, if I’m not better, I get the
heck off the course and go see someone with a medical background.
Now, has this happened to you despite people reminding you of the dangers of
playing in intense heat? I will bet the answer is yes and you still continued playing.
I can assure you that this situation happens all the time in this area and we all test
the hands of fate with Mother Nature and try to forge through those hot and humid
days. But, I think we can avoid many of those problems by preventing them with
the following advice:

1. Ride, do not walk, during those intense and humid days!
2. Drink plenty of NON–alcoholic beverages before and during your round of

golf.
3. Make sure you have cool (or cold!) towels with you to wrap around your

neck or head.
4. Stop at any moment you are feeling dizzy and get to a shady area with a

bit of breeze.
5. Pay attention to the weather forecast and don’t play golf that day, but go to

the club for a sandwich and enjoy the company of your friends. If you want
to gamble, play gin!
6. Finally, avoid all alcoholic beverages prior to and during your round. They
may taste great because they are cold, but they are deadly to you on hot
and humid days. Beer works much better AFTER the round.
Now, if you think I am a medical expert, you are wrong! But, I can assure you
that I have seen way too many instances of people who have not followed these few
words of advice and have suffered more than they needed. So, please take the time
to be smart and drink plenty of fluids before and during play of your round. Make
a point of taking an energy drink or bottles of water that keeps your fluid levels up
just in case the course does not have them. Also, I make a point of drinking at least
one power drink on my way to the course on hot days. Remember, you must be able
to do some physiological things in order to keep from getting dehydrated.
Finally, even if you are on par and having your best round of golf ever, make sure
you are hydrated! It is your responsibility to take care of yourself and know your
body. Nobody will know until it is too late to help you. I urge you to start thinking
about what you can do to help yourself before the heat and humidity get too severe
this Summer.
Stay in touch and I hope to see you at Musket Ridge GC this year.

SUMMER 2016 61