How hot is too hot?

[Hook DeLoft]

It depends on the humidity.  I live in central Mississippi and a heat index of 105 is too hot for me.  I had what I believe was a heat stroke many years ago (didn’t go to the doctor).  Basically, I stopped sweating on the back nine.  For many years after I couldn’t tolerate heat.  It’s better now but I am careful. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Today was too freaking hot. I thought I'd be smart and tee off at 7am. Front 9 went well. Then it was around 8:40 when I hit the back. A couple holes in it got disgusting. I was walking as usual and my son came by (He is on the grounds crew) He said Dad those were the wrong color shorts for today. They started off tan and the back was completely soaked through. I got home at 10:40 and looked at the temperature and it was 101.

I was going to go fishing after but I was beat by the heat and humidity which was at 50%.

[Mike10487]

On 7/4/2024 at 5:54 PM, Prodigal Duffer said:

Another factor is pace of play.

Took the kids out today with a 9:14 tee time. It was 92 degrees and 70% humidity. It didn’t feel that bad, but we ended up pulling the plug after nine holes because the group in front of was SO slow. It took us 2 hours and 40 minutes to play nine holes. Kids were understandably getting very uncomfortable, so we audibled and went out to lunch. 

Pace of play is a factor in ANY weather! 2:40/9 is inexcusable!

[Mike10487]

1 hour ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Today was too freaking hot. I thought I'd be smart and tee off at 7am. Front 9 went well. Then it was around 8:40 when I hit the back. A couple holes in it got disgusting. I was walking as usual and my son came by (He is on the grounds crew) He said Dad those were the wrong color shorts for today. They started off tan and the back was completely soaked through. I got home at 10:40 and looked at the temperature and it was 101.

I was going to go fishing after but I was beat by the heat and humidity which was at 50%.

Fishing isn't much fun in 101 either!  As we get older we have to be more aware of the heat. Five years ago I'd walk 9 every Tues and Thurs at 3:30 here. Not much chance of that now. I'll take the cart and a cooler!

Edited July 5 by Mike10487

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I’m normally a walker because I’m allowed out earlier than carts are. Anytime before 8am is ok for walking members. Carts are from 8 on. I can beat the heat at least for 9 holes. I guess from now through mid August I’ll have to consider a cart and play with the masses. I do like having the course to myself though. 

[chisag]

12 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I’m normally a walker because I’m allowed out earlier than carts are. Anytime before 8am is ok for walking members. Carts are from 8 on. I can beat the heat at least for 9 holes. I guess from now through mid August I’ll have to consider a cart and play with the masses. I do like having the course to myself though. 

 

... Right there with you. We both use remote carts and walking is much preferable when you don't have to push or carry your clubs. But once the triple digits hit here in the desert, it only gets hotter and we rarely see anything under 105* from June to September. This June was the hottest on record. Riding in a cart all summer lets me hurry to the next shady spot and slightly cools me off with the wind providing a tiny bit of relief. Obviously I don't deal with the high dew points you do, but this summer has been around 60* so I just haven't been playing.   I probably don't have to tell you to be careful after your last scare, right? 

[Dweed]

No matter what the temp. YOU have to know what your physical body can handle before you start getting sick. If someone was getting ready to puke and the temp was 75 degrees gentle breeze etc. I don't think we'd hold it against them because of that.  I hear thunder and I'm off the course. Again, I decide my own personal safety level. It's that simple to me. I retired from Uncle Sam's finest. I know heat, dry and F$&^ing

muggy. 75% Dew point muggy. Jungle muggy.

 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

56 minutes ago, chisag said:

I probably don't have to tell you to be careful after your last scare, right? 

I am very careful. Heat stroked me once and won’t stroke me again. A bottle of water the night before and two cold Gatorades in the bag in the morning. I also carry liquid IV packets in my bag. If I need to go back to water I drop in a packet.

[RickK]

The hottest temp I have ever played in was 111.  But it was a very dry heat.  Just had to keep hydrated.  A buddy of mine and I used to play 36 holes when we would go on an away trip.  We played 18 in the AM, had lunch, went out for 9 more.  It was 106, no wind, humidity was unbearable.  We gave it up after 9.  

So, my true answer.  Dry heat...whatever the temp.  Hot and really humid...well, who knows.  

[Stereotype]

On 7/4/2024 at 2:54 PM, Prodigal Duffer said:

Another factor is pace of play.

Took the kids out today with a 9:14 tee time. It was 92 degrees and 70% humidity. It didn’t feel that bad, but we ended up pulling the plug after nine holes because the group in front of was SO slow. It took us 2 hours and 40 minutes to play nine holes. Kids were understandably getting very uncomfortable, so we audibled and went out to lunch. 

Sounds like you made the right move in that situation, nearly 3 hours for 9 is rough. 

[Mike10487]

12 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... Right there with you. We both use remote carts and walking is much preferable when you don't have to push or carry your clubs. But once the triple digits hit here in the desert, it only gets hotter and we rarely see anything under 105* from June to September. This June was the hottest on record. Riding in a cart all summer lets me hurry to the next shady spot and slightly cools me off with the wind providing a tiny bit of relief. Obviously I don't deal with the high dew points you do, but this summer has been around 60* so I just haven't been playing.   I probably don't have to tell you to be careful after your last scare, right? 

I get the comments, "Why are you aimed over there?" Because I'm a shade player during the summertime! The only shade I found in AZ last year was called DARK!

[hohjoe]

It was hot and humid in Georgia last week. We tee off at 9:20 and walk the front and ride the back.

The hottest I've played was 105° and it was humid. I was drenched when I finished and I was in a cart.

I also carry 3L of water and I'll drink it all when it's 90° plus.

Before I tee off on 18 I start cooling the car down and I get in a nice cool car when I'm finished.

[KC Golf]

I see Palm Spring is 124F.  At that temp its survival of the fittest.   I really think Golf Courses should pay you to golf at that temp.

[chisag]

31 minutes ago, KC Golf said:

I see Palm Spring is 124F.  At that temp its survival of the fittest.   I really think Golf Courses should pay you to golf at that temp.

 

... Looks like 120* Mon/Tues in Palm Springs while it will only be 117* here in Phoenix. I should probably pull out my cashmere sweater for when the sun starts to set. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

17 hours ago, chisag said:

I probably don't have to tell you to be careful after your last scare, right? 

I am very careful. Heat stroked me once and won’t stroke me again. A bottle of water the night before and two cold Gatorades in the bag in the morning. I also carry liquid IV packets in my bag. If I need to go back to water I drop in a packet.

No golf today 

[chisag]

11 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

No golf today 

 

 

... No golf for me as well til at least next weekend. 

[NM01]

56 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I am very careful. Heat stroked me once and won’t stroke me again. A bottle of water the night before and two cold Gatorades in the bag in the morning. I also carry liquid IV packets in my bag. If I need to go back to water I drop in a packet.

No golf today 

How much water do you drink during the week?

curious because a bottle of water at night and a couple Gatorade’s isn’t nearly enough just for a regular round of golf let alone one on summer heat

[Josh Parker]

I play no matter what but will freely admit that the heat and humity are killer at times.  I drink a gallon a day but also sweat standing still so it's a challenge. I started wearing the sun sleeves and it has made a huge difference in helping stay cooler during the round. 

Afternoon rounds I take my 1/2 gallon jug with Gatorade and then my large tumbler full of ice water. We have water stations every 3 holes and I drink 1 tumbler at each minimum. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

3 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

How much water do you drink during the week?

curious because a bottle of water at night and a couple Gatorade’s isn’t nearly enough just for a regular round of golf let alone one on summer heat

No clue on how much I drink but there is always a bottle in front of me. Just keep refilling from the fridge when 1/3 is left. 
I drink one right before bed when golfing in the morning. Then one on the way to the course. Gatorade on the front and back 9’s if it’s really hot 2 on the front then a stop for one at the turn. 

Also keep in mind I’m done with 18 in 3 hours and my front 9 is cooler because I’m the first one off at 7am. So I’m not out there for 5 or 6 hours waiting on groups. 

[Paul Hedrick]

Today it was 101 degrees fahrenheit, with the 'real feel' temperature of 110.  I'm not golfing today.......

[Mike10487]

I'm off to test this out again! It's currently 83 with 96% humidity. Forecast high is only 93. I let the dogs out and I feel moist!

[revkev]

On 7/3/2024 at 2:45 PM, RickyBobby_PR said:

I play mid day in the middle of summer in the mid Atlantic. Hot and humid is the norm. Really have no issues being in 100+ degree weather with humidity.

There are plenty of people doing harder things for longer periods of times in 120+ temps. 

Absolutely this - My son was a Navy Nuke who spent nearly 7 years in the reactor room of a sub often on the equator - he'd be happy with temps in the low 100's.  

There is a real health issue here though - I'm not sure if the OP had in mind heat indexes or actual temps.  I think the hottest actual temp I would ever have played in was around 110 in Arizona in August.  I know that I regularly play in heat index temps over 110 - If I didn't I would not be able to play much in the summer.  However, you need to be very mindful of hydration and finding shady spots at those temps especially as you get older.  I walk 9 late afternoon in my league - the last time I played it was around 110 with the heat index when we tee'd off - my heart rate got significantly elevated - north of 130 3 holes in - fortunately we had a good deal of shade on the next tee and a bit of a wait.  I was able to get it back down to around 100 BPM which is normal when I walk this time of year.  

 

If you have health issues, be sure to follow excessive heat warnings.  And today was that day for me - our heat index is supposed to be 120 plus - I had to stop by Target a bit ago to buy a new belt - my heart rate got to almost 120 walking from the Van to the store.  

[ballhawk]

High over 100 and humidity 70+ and when I pulled into the golf course, I saw 2 dogs chasing a rabbit and all 3 were walking.........turned around and went home to the AC

[Brooky03]

I live in NY and struggle to recall many summer days that have hit triple digits.  I know that golf in the mid-high 90's is pretty close to as hot as I'm willing to bear, though, so I'll say 100+ is 'too hot.'  That said, any kind of heat up here is almost always accompanied by high humidity.  I'd imagine that number could go higher, for me, on a low humidity day.  105 in Arizona doesn't sound unappealing.  115 anywhere sounds terrible; I better be inside next to A/C or outside next to a pool.

However, I wouldn't cancel a tee time due to heat.  I just wouldn't schedule one.  If I've committed to a tee time and my playing partners are game, I'm game.  I'm young enough and somewhat fit enough that heat stroke or anything dangerous like that isn't really in play, just my enjoyment of the round.

 

[Haile]

It's not the heat that bothers me. It's humidity. I've worked outside in Arizona and I didn't think 110 felt too bad. But here in Missouri where it can be 95 and the humidity is higher than the temp, it gets awful. Anytime I can make soup out of the air, I'm pretty much out on being outside if I can help it. I'm getting soft I guess. 

[tony@CIC]

Another brutal 18 on the course today with temps in the mid 90's and heat index approaching 110. Very few clouds and absolutely no breeze. My wife mentioned that the air quality was poor - guess that didn't help us either.  Recently I've been reading online articles on how the ball flies longer in less dense hot, humid air,, however, what these articles fail to mention is the fatigue factor in these conditions. Today everyone in our 4somes had the same comment: "started out great on the front - fell apart on the back".  I don't expect my ball to fly longer in these conditions. 

 

 

[Swood1994]

I just landed in Las Vegas. This is the first time for me and when we landed it was 108° with a high of 113°. Frankly that's too hot lol the whole "it's a dry heat" thing lasts for about 5 minutes and then you just feel it. I give you west coasters a lot of credit. even playing in the morning at 98+ I can only imagine how hot it is out on the course.

[chisag]

20 minutes ago, Swood1994 said:

I just landed in Las Vegas. This is the first time for me and when we landed it was 108° with a high of 113°.

... Had to get some papers signed at my bank today and my car registered the temperature at 119*. 

 

 

[Swood1994]

1 minute ago, chisag said:

... Had to get some papers signed at my bank today and my car registered the temperature at 119*.

Like I said... That's TOO hot!! 

[Rob Person]

100% depends on humidity.  I can deal with 110⁰ heat

But at 70%+ humidity it's just too thick to move sometimes.  Yesterday was a good example of that.