Fall golf can be an amazing experience.
The trees are beautiful, the courses are in quality shape and we all know our number of rounds before the snow hits are limited.
Those last several rounds of the year are a gift and we have to take advantage and enjoy the outdoors, the competition and the companionship with our fellow golfers.
There are certainly pros and cons to playing golf in the fall. Below we will dive into what makes fall golf great, but also what can make it difficult.
Playing Golf in The Fall
Pros of Fall Golf
- Beautiful views
- Course conditions
- Less crowded
- Winter rules
- Less heat
Cons of Fall Golf
- Leaves on the ground
- Aerification schedules
- Shorter days
- Soft conditions
- Can be cold
Pro #1: Beautiful Views
Golf courses in parts of the United States and Canada where the leaves turn colors can provide some stunning views. The orange, yellow and red mix of leaves provides a completely different look and is downright beautiful at times.
The grass is usually a dark green and the contrast with the trees when you get a wide view is stunning. Taking it all in is important, as the snow is around the corner and brings about no leaves on the trees and dead grass. Golf trips to certain parts of the world during the fall are highly recommended!
Pro #2: Course Conditions
Grass is much easier to grow and maintain during the fall months. There is a lot less heat, more moisture and the grass can really grow during this time. Outside of the fall rain that is typically, course conditions are usually ideal in many parts of the United States.
The courses look great and play pretty true. The greens can be fantastic as superintendents do not have to worry about summer burnout and disease and can push the speed of the greens up a bit without fear of losing their greens to heat and lack of rain.
Just yesterday, my home golf course greens played the best they have played all year. They were fast and true and simply amazing!
Pro #3: Less Crowded
Some golfers put their golf clubs away once September hits. This leaves golf courses less crowded throughout the week and even on the weekends. NCAA and NFL football begins and the MLB baseball playoffs are in full swing come October.
This helps keep the casual golfer at home, leaving plenty of great tee times at great courses, often at a reduced rate! Fall golf can be great, as you can play at a better pace than a crowded and hot summer day!
Pro #4: Winter Rules
In many golf leagues or casual rounds with fans, fall conditions bring about winter rules where the golfer can roll his her golf ball throughout the course several inches. The ground can be soft in areas and finding golf balls is a mystery at times.
The winter rules are great for golfers that struggle with certain lies and need the advantage of touching their golf ball between tee and green.
Pro #5: Less Heat
The cool crisp fall weather is often welcomed by many. The days of 85 degree heat with high humidity are long gone in many parts of the world come fall time. This brings about the opportunity to wear golf pants and a layer or two, which can be very comfortable golfing conditions. The golfer is no longer fighting the heat and the sweat that comes with the high heat and humidity.
Con #1: Leaves on the Ground
While the leaves are beautiful when they are on the trees for golfers when they are laying on the ground, it can make it really difficult to find a golf ball. As the angle of the sun changes and the combination of plenty of leaves on the ground, finding a golf ball can be a mystery.
Golfers have to pay extra attention to where the ball stops rolling to provide themselves the best chance of locating their golf ball. If you hit the ball outside the fairway, make sure you keep an extra eye on the golf ball until it stops moving.
Con #2: Aerification Schedules
Aerification schedules range from course to course and location to location. Some courses will go through this process in mid september, while others wait until October. Calling ahead and figuring out when the course plays on aerifying their greens can save you a miserable round of golf. Putting on aerified greens is difficult due to the great amount of sand and bumpy putting surfaces.
Con #3: Shorter Days
There is less daylight in the fall months compared to the summer. In some locations, teething off at around 6am is fairly reasonable in June and July. The problem with this in the fall is the sun might not rise until after 7am and then you have to contend with cooler temperatures and some wet conditions from the dew.
It also makes a round of golf after work much more difficult as the sun sets earlier every day in the fall until December 21st.
Con #4: Soft Conditions
The courses can be soft from the heavy rain that sometimes occur in the fall. The courses take longer to dry out and if there is poor drainage the course can become really soft, resulting in cart path only and conditions that can make it difficult.
Con #5: Can Be Cold
As we get deeper into the fall months, the weather continues to cool and the conditions can become too cold for some golfers. Just the other day, I teed off at 8:30am in the morning and the temperature was 43 degrees. It eventually got up to 58 degrees, but those first several holes were pretty cold.
Fall Golf: Other Advantages
Golfers can find discounted green fees and sometimes equipment during the fall months. It is a great time to work on your game as the upcoming winter provides a transition from one season to the next for most golfers. It is a great time to work on your game and start to make some swing changes in the name of game improvement.
Several years ago, I decided to invest in a home golf simulator to continue to play the game I love so much year round. Over 1000 rounds later and my investment has been amazing. My game has improved and I love the opportunity to work on my game, compete against some friends and play some of the best golf courses in the world.
Playing #18 at Pebble Beach never gets old or #13 at Augusta! Two great holes that challenge you and that we have all seen the professionals play many times over the years!
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About five years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage. I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day. I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
