Playing golf in the heat: practical advice

In hot weather you play early or late. For outdoor sport on the hottest summer days, the Ministry of Health advises avoiding the hours between 11 am and 6 pm, drinking carefully and replacing the salts lost through sweat. Those general guidelines (if you have any doubts or a medical condition, speak to your doctor) are joined by practical data from the clubs: tee times, 2026 sunset rates and high-altitude courses.

Tee times: before 11, after 6

The Ministry's FAQ on heatwaves is clear: yes, you can exercise outdoors, but the 11 am to 6 pm window should be avoided. In practice, for an 18-hole round, you either tee off at dawn or step onto the course in the late afternoon. Several clubs make this attractive with sunset deals, which in the 2026 price lists are as follows:

At Lignano, according to the club, the 1st tee opens at 7:30 am from May to early September. At Picciolo, on Etna, the course is open from 8 am to 8 pm in summer, closing half an hour before sunset. Among the experiences at Villa d'Este, in Cernobbio, is nine holes at sunset followed by an aperitif on the Montorfano course. It is a good idea for anyone who wants to avoid the middle of the day.

Water, salts and a hat: the Ministry's guidance

These are general recommendations for the population, not personalised medical advice:

• Drink even when you are not thirsty. The Ministry recommends at least two litres a day, unless your doctor says otherwise, limiting fizzy and sugary drinks and avoiding alcohol, which increases the sensation of heat and sweating. Cut down on caffeine too.
• Replace the salts. On very hot days the FAQ speaks of electrolytes lost through sweat.
• A light, wide-brimmed hat, light-coloured, loose clothing made of cotton or linen, because synthetic fibres stop the skin breathing; sunscreen and sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection.
• Acclimatise gradually. The Ministry advises sessions of progressively longer duration and intensity in warmer environments.
• One warning that also concerns golf courses: on very hot days the FAQ advises avoiding green areas, where ozone concentrations are higher. If you have breathing problems, talk to your doctor.

The dress code is set by each club: check it before you set off.

What changes in your game: the ball flies a little further

The study by Andrew Rice with TrackMan, reported by GOLF.com in 2018, says that carry increases by about 2 yards for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit (about 5.6 °C) with the driver, and slightly less with the short irons. The example: a 250-yard drive at 70 °F (about 21 °C) travels about 254 yards at 90 °F (about 32 °C). According to the same study, humidity has "almost no effect" on carry. This is test data, not a promise; wind, the article points out, is another matter.

Courses that help: heat-resistant grass and altitude

• Bermuda grass. The Yellow nine at Is Molas, in Sardinia, has been reseeded with Bermuda grass, which is more heat-resistant, and has been playable again since 31 December 2025. At the Adriatic Golf Club Cervia, the fairways and tees have been "Riviera" Bermuda since 2008, which according to the club withstands the summer heat.
• Altitude. The Golf Club Le Fronde, at 450 metres, reports a cool, breezy summer; the Cansiglio, at 1,027 metres, speaks of a cool microclimate even in high summer.
• Riding in a golf cart. At Castelconturbia a golf cart with GPS costs €60 for 18 holes in 2026 and includes water and snacks.

If the heat gets the better of you: the Rules

During a round, Rule 5.7a says that a player must not stop play except in three cases: suspension by the Committee, agreement in match play, danger from lightning. Heat is not on the list: if you feel unwell in a competition, inform the Committee first. In a friendly round, decide together with your playing partners.