Why you should care about keeping your feet warm on the golf course

When you’re signing up for a cold round of golf, you know you need to dress in layers. You probably focus on your torso and legs, but what about your feet? If you’re going to play golf in chilly weather, make sure to keep your feet warm, too. Otherwise, you might see some adverse effects on performance.

“In the cold, our circulation constricts which can decrease blood flow,” says Devin Walsh, an orthopedic surgeon with New England Orthopedic Surgeons. “The soft tissues—ligaments and tendons—become less elastic and joint fluid can even become more viscous. This limits mobility. It can take longer to warm up, get moving, and theoretically increase risk of injury.”

Functional movement of the foot can be affected. Which can in turn change how you swing. Notably, influencing your ability to pivot through your lower extremities, Walsh says.

The colder it is, the more extreme the effects can be. Studies have shown that early signs of cold impacting athletic performance can appear around 50 degrees, with clear effects at the 32 to 45 degree range.

The simplest thing you can do to keep your feet warm during cold rounds is to change your socks. Instead of cotton or performance materials, opt for wool. Its natural structure creates tiny pockets of air that work as insulation for your foot. This is an easy upgrade that’s worth it if you’re playing in cold temperatures.