Last weekend I played 18 holes in 38-degree heat. Not my smartest decision, but the round was booked, my playing partners were committed, and I convinced myself it’d be fine. It wasn’t fine. By the 14th hole I was seriously questioning my life choices.

Australian summer golf can be brutal. Not just warm or uncomfortable—legitimately dangerous if you’re not prepared. I’ve watched people get heat exhaustion on the course, seen golfers pack it in after nine holes, and personally experienced that horrible moment when you realize you’re not properly hydrated but you’re still six holes from the clubhouse.

So here’s what I’ve learned about actually surviving summer golf rather than just enduring it.

Start Earlier Than You Think

If the forecast is showing 35-plus degrees, your tee time should be before 7am. Preferably before 6am if the course allows it. Yes, that means early mornings. Yes, it’s worth it.

The difference between playing at 6am versus 10am in high summer is enormous. You’re finishing before the worst heat arrives. The course is usually quieter. The greens haven’t been baked all day. You can actually focus on golf rather than just surviving.

I know early mornings are tough, especially on weekends when you’d rather sleep in. But trust me—playing in relative comfort at dawn beats suffering through scorching conditions at midday. It’s not even close.

Hydration Starts the Night Before

Drinking water during the round is necessary but not sufficient. If you wait until you’re on the first tee to start hydrating, you’re already behind.

Proper hydration for summer golf starts the evening before. Drink plenty of water at dinner, avoid excessive alcohol, and make sure you’re not already dehydrated when you wake up. Then continue drinking in the morning before you leave.

During the round, aim for at least 500ml every four or five holes. More if it’s really hot. I carry two bottles and refill at the turn. Some courses have water stations around the course, which is brilliant. If yours doesn’t, factor in the need to carry enough for 18 holes.

Sports drinks can help with electrolyte replacement, but honestly, water is usually fine unless you’re sweating profusely for extended periods. The key is volume and consistency rather than special formulations.

Sun Protection Isn’t Optional

I’ve learned this the hard way, with painful consequences. Australian sun is no joke, and spending four hours exposed to it without protection will absolutely wreck you.

Sunscreen is mandatory. High SPF, reapplied after nine holes. Get the sport formulation that doesn’t sting when you sweat. Cover everything—face, neck, ears, back of hands, any exposed skin. Don’t assume your hat provides enough protection for your face. It doesn’t.

Speaking of hats, get a proper wide-brim one rather than a baseball cap. Covers more of your head and neck. Looks less cool, works much better. Same principle as sun protection generally—effectiveness beats aesthetics.

Long sleeves can actually be cooler than short sleeves if they’re proper UV-protection fabric. Counterintuitive but true. The right material reflects heat and blocks sun while still being breathable. I was skeptical until I tried it, now I won’t play summer golf in regular t-shirts.

Pace of Play Matters More in Heat

Slow rounds are frustrating at the best of times. In extreme heat, they’re dangerous. Five hours in 35-degree sun is genuinely risky, while 3.5 hours is manageable with proper preparation.

If you’re playing in a group that’s moving slowly, speak up. It’s not rude to suggest picking up the pace when heat’s a factor. Most reasonable people will understand that efficiency matters when conditions are challenging.

Walking versus riding is a personal choice, but in extreme heat, riding makes sense unless you’re very fit and well-prepared for the exertion. There’s no shame in taking a cart when the alternative is heat-related issues.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real risks. You need to know the warning signs and act immediately if you or anyone in your group shows them.

Dizziness, nausea, excessive fatigue, stopping sweating, confusion, rapid heartbeat—these aren’t just discomfort. They’re your body saying it’s in trouble. If you experience them, stop playing. Get to shade. Drink water. Cool down. The round isn’t worth putting yourself in the hospital.

I’ve seen golfers push through these symptoms because they “didn’t want to quit” or “only had a few holes left.” That’s stupid pride, and it can have serious consequences. Golf will always be there. Your health might not be if you ignore warning signs.

Strategic Adjustments for Hot Conditions

Beyond just surviving the heat, you should adjust how you play. Hot weather affects the ball, the course, and your performance in ways worth considering.

The ball flies farther in hot air—reduced density means less resistance. Your normal 7-iron might be a 8-iron in summer heat. Factor this into club selection or you’ll be long on every approach.

Greens get firmer and faster as the day heats up. Early morning softness disappears by mid-round. Approach shots need to account for reduced stopping power, especially on afternoon rounds.

Your energy levels will drop as heat accumulates. That aggressive strategy you planned might not be realistic when you’re tired and struggling with the conditions. Play within yourself, don’t force heroic shots when you’re not at full capacity.

Clothing and Equipment Choices

Light colors reflect heat better than dark ones. Obvious but worth stating—black clothing in summer golf is asking for trouble.

Breathable fabrics designed for sports in heat make a massive difference. I used to play in whatever cotton polo I grabbed from the drawer. Switching to proper moisture-wicking golf shirts genuinely improved my comfort and probably my performance.

A cooling towel—the kind you wet and it stays cool—is worth carrying. Helps manage body temperature between shots. Seems gimmicky but actually works.

Keep your grips dry. Sweaty hands lead to loose grips and mishit shots. A dry towel specifically for your hands, replaced regularly throughout the round, helps maintain control.

The Turn Decision

Sometimes the smart play is stopping after nine holes. If conditions are extreme, you’re struggling, or the forecast is worsening, there’s no shame in calling it after the front nine.

I’ve done this twice in the past few years. Both times I was genuinely glad I stopped rather than pushing through. One time I stayed and regretted it—felt terrible for days afterwards because I’d overdone it in heat.

Listen to your body and be honest about what’s sensible. The round isn’t worth compromising your health or ruining the next few days feeling awful because you were stubborn.

Recovery Afterwards

What you do after a hot round matters almost as much as preparation beforehand. Proper recovery helps avoid feeling terrible for the rest of the day.

Rehydrate immediately and thoroughly. Not just a quick drink at the 19th hole—serious water intake over the next few hours. Your body has lost a lot of fluid and needs to replace it.

Cooling down gradually rather than immediately blasting yourself with cold air helps your body adjust. Get to shade, have a cool drink, let your temperature drop naturally before jumping in an air-conditioned car.

Food helps too. You’ve burned energy, lost salt through sweating, and need to replenish. A proper meal, not just a snack, sets you up for feeling normal again rather than exhausted all afternoon.

When Not to Play

Sometimes conditions are genuinely too extreme for safe golf. Forecast maximums over 40 degrees, catastrophic fire danger ratings, extreme heat warnings—these aren’t just suggestions to take care.

Postpone the round. Reschedule. Find an alternative. I know you’ve been looking forward to it, I know you’ve blocked out the time, but some conditions genuinely aren’t worth the risk.

Golf courses sometimes close in extreme heat, which is the sensible decision even if it’s disappointing. Your club prioritizing member safety over revenue is actually a good sign about how they operate.

Make Summer Golf Enjoyable

With proper preparation, summer golf in Australia can be brilliant. Early morning rounds in perfect conditions, fast firm fairways, long days that allow after-work golf, the social atmosphere that comes with summer—it’s all great when you’re managing the heat properly.

But without that preparation, it becomes an ordeal rather than an enjoyable round. The difference between suffering and thriving in summer golf comes down to taking it seriously enough to plan properly.

Hydrate well, protect yourself from sun, start early when possible, recognize your limits, and adjust expectations based on conditions. Follow those principles and summer golf is fantastic. Ignore them and you’ll be miserable, possibly unsafe.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to reapply sunscreen before tomorrow’s dawn round. Learning from experience, slowly but surely.