For the past week, huge swaths of the United States have felt record-breaking heat, with golf lovers sweltering from Rhode Island to parts of Oregon. With August still a week away and plenty of summer golf to be played, it’s important to plan ahead and have a few things handy.
The best way to beat the heat is obvious: Play as early in the morning as possible or late in the afternoon or evening. Days are long now, so a quick nine holes as the sun comes up or after an early dinner can help you avoid the hottest parts of the day. If that’s not possible and you know you’re going to be playing through the middle of the day, these things can protect you from the sun, keep you hydrated and help you stay cooler.
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Oars + Alps Hydrating Antioxidant SPF 50 Spray, $16
Oars + Alps Hydrating Antioxidant SPF 50 sunscreen (Oars + Alps)
The best sunscreen is the one you use often and is easy to apply properly. Sprays make it simple and convenient, and they won’t make your hands slippery. Oars + Alps Hydrating Antioxidant SPF 50 is light, non-greasy, water-resistant and sweat-resistant.
Weatherman 62-inch golf umbrella, $84
Weatherman 62-inch umbrella (Weatherman)
Riding in a golf cart can provide you with some shade, but if you are walking, using an umbrella on sunny days can provide the same relief. The Weatherman 62 has a strong fiberglass pole with vented canopies that withstand winds up to 55 mph and provides a UPF 50+ barrier. Pro Tip: If your glove gets sweaty, hang it from one of the spokes inside the umbrella to dry while you use another.
LivPur Hydrate, $31.95 for 15 packets
LivPur Hydration (LivPur)
If you are thirsty as you play, you are already starting to dehydrate. You can never go wrong drinking cold water, but LivPur Hydrate (used by Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda) replaces the salt, amino acids and other minerals you lose in sweat. It has no artificial colors or flavors, is gluten-, soy- and dairy-free and is less sweet tasting than most sports drinks. Plus, you can keep the packets in your golf bag to turn any bottle of water into something better.
Hydro Flask 24-ounce Wide Mouth with Straw Lid, $39.95
Hydro Flask 24 oz. Wide Mouth (Hydro Flask)
You may have a million water bottles around the house, but investing in a good one for golf is worth it. Thanks to double-walled construction, this one will keep ice in your water for 24 hours without getting wet on the outside due to condensation, so your hands will stay dry. When the weather turns cold, this bottle will keep drinks hot for 12 hours.
Puma Cloudspun Petal Golf Polo, $80
Puma Cloudspun Petal Golf Polo (Puma Golf)
What you learned in high school science class still applies: Dark colors absorb heat and light colors reflect it, so wearing white on hot days makes sense. This Puma polo shirt offers 50+ UPF sun protection, has four-way stretch and is made from recycled polyester and elastane to wick moisture off your body.
FootJoy Performance Sun Sleeves, $30
FootJoy Performance Sun Sleeves (FootJoy)
A common sight on the LPGA Tour and among PGA TOUR caddies, sun-protective sleeves make it easy to keep harmful rays from burning you all day. These sleeves from FootJoy provide 50-plus UPF protection, won’t slip and wick moisture off your skin to keep you cooler.
Yeti Hopper M20 Soft Cooler, $325
Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler (Yeti)
While most golf facilities frown on bringing outside alcohol to the course, this backpack-style cooler fits into the basket of a golf cart, easily holds more than a dozen bottles or cans along with ice and keeps everything frosty all day. The magnetic top makes opening and closing it simple.
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