Although the question might be “When isn’t it a good time to hit the greens?” some times are obviously better than others (think: severe lightning storm). If you are looking for the best way to predict the perfect golf-playing conditions, consider the following five points.
Morning, Afternoon, or Evening?
If you want to get all scientific about it, the best times to play a round are between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., or after 4 p.m. These times, according to Darrell Drobnich, former chief program officer for the National Sleep Foundation, are when you are at your best both physically and mentally based on the natural sleep and alertness rhythms (Circadian rhythms) of your body. In fact, late afternoon and twilight hours are when most people peak for mental abilities, strength, and flexibility, so heading out to the greens as the sun begins to color the sky orange and red could mean you play your best game ever. Bonus: twilight rounds often mean lower rates!
Golf Weather
There absolutely is such a thing as golf weather, although that specific spectrum of perfectly playable weather conditions depends on where you live, how creaky your body gets, what time of the year it is, and how dedicated you are to the sport (and just a little bit of personal preference).
A vast majority of dedicated golfers love cooler weather with low humidity and no breeze (or just a little bit of a breeze). For those living in northern states, fall is one of the best times to play: you can enjoy cool temps between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 16 degrees Celsius), which seems to thin the crowds considerably.
For those in hotter southern states, the heat may be the thing that clears the greens, so if you enjoy the sun, summer might provide the best weather for you. For older players whose joints feel better in the warmth of a summer’s day, golf weather is warm, low humidity, and with a slight, cooling breeze.
Your Mood
Do you have to be in a great mood to play well? No. In fact, relaxing into a round or two of golf is very likely to improve your mood. In addition, playing golf on a sunny day provides incredible health benefits: your skin creates vitamin D in response to the sun’s UV rays, and this essential vitamin has been shown to directly affect mood in a positive way. So whether you’re a little stressed out, in a bit of a blue funk, or flying high, golf is good for your mood. Just be sure to spread on some sunblock after 15 or so minutes of sun exposure to prevent painful burns (which are a mood damper!).
If you are murderously angry or if you are facing imminent and stressful deadlines, however, heading out to the course might not be the right choice. Wait until you have had some time to calm down or take care of looming problems first. When you’ve done that, hitting the greens can help you relax instead of tempting you to take out your anger on your equipment, the caddy, or your golfing companions.
Best Day of the Week
The best day of the week might be the day where you can fit a round into your schedule. But if you have scheduling flexibility, Tuesdays before noon on many courses tend to be a great time to beat the crowds. If you prefer to play at times when there are fewer people to contend with, call ahead to find out what days of the week and what times on those days seem to be quietest.
With or Without Companions?
The nice thing about playing by yourself is that you can do what you want, whether it is working a little longer on your form, playing two balls, or walking the course instead of riding. When you just want to focus on your skills or work out some things in your head, by all means head out during a slow time, let other groups play through (and politely decline their invitations to join them), and enjoy the time alone. If your buddies are too busy, don’t be afraid to head out on your own once in a while.
But golf is also a social sport, and part of the thrill of the game is the companionship of friends as well as a little friendly rivalry to sharpen your focus. Camaraderie boosts happiness levels, which helps to reduce illness and can lengthen your life. You tend to feel more energized after playing with friends—or even strangers—and that can help you tackle other stressful jobs at work or at home with greater calm and a better attitude.
When you decide what you’re focus will be for a game, let that determine whether going solo or heading out in a group is the better plan.