25 reasons you should be playing winter golf

21. Mats make chipping easier

Don’t kid yourself this is the winter when it will all be different, it won’t be.

You might tell yourself over the ball to ‘commit, commit, commit’ but other senses will take over and you’ll be dunching it like a good ‘un. And the hybrid isn’t going to work either. Hey presto, your old friend the mat.

You can’t get it out quick enough when faced with a delicate little flippety-flop over some sand and you repeatedly tell yourself you’re on the way back when you pick another one off. You’re not but it’s a nice feeling nevertheless.

22. Using yellow balls

Playing partners will know you mean business when pulling out the yellow ball. Or they’ll think you have a tendency to find the trees.

Playing in some thick mizzle, the yellow ball can also ensure you don’t get that sinking feeling as you walk up the fairway. It’ll stand out straightaway and stop panic setting in.

Psychologically, it may just help you feel that bit more prepared. There’s also a bit of technology in your favour as tests suggest players see, and therefore hit, a yellow ball more easily.

Either way, it’s a nice change, adds to the fun of it and matches that bobble hat you’ve been desperate to play in.

23. It’s time to practice

There’s nothing worse than struggling with your game during the summer months. The golf trips, society days and medals come thick and fast and there just isn’t time to get the practice in.

That’s one available excuse during the summer anyway. Once the diary clears, Saturday mornings can become range time – and you’re back home for a late breakfast.

Those pulled iron shots which have plagued your summer rounds can be turned into devastating soft draws. You can actually become friends with your driver again.

There’s something hugely satisfying about hearing range balls coming tumbling down into your basket – it’s the sound of dedication.

24. No jazzy colours

I’ve had a pair of sky-blue trousers for some time now which, it saddens me to say, haven’t had a look-in as a) I’m a little reticent when it comes to making audacious fashion statements and b) I live in Leeds. Roll the clock forward to this time of the year and all of your troubling style challenges are easily answered in one word: black.

This year’s black will be next year’s black. And so on. Nobody wants to see your fatted wedge from some gunky fairway make a mess of your new pastel blouson so play safe and stick with what you know; that’s right, black.

25. A well-struck iron is even more rewarding

It’s cold and very wet. The conditions aren’t in your favour. To make matters worse you’re having to opt for the 5 instead of the 6 to get the required distance. Anything other than a crisp strike can look and sound horrific.

Hit slightly behind the ball on a firm fairway in July and you’ll get away with it. Do the same when in the semi-rough on a December morning and you’ll be sending a patch of soggy turf further than the ball.

So it’s a great feeling when you do strike it pure and see the ball piercing through the cold air.