Winter Golf - a celebration

Dan Murphy's celebration of winter golf

IT'S much-derided, unfair, a lottery and many people consider it simply isn't worth the trouble. But enough about the Fed-Ex Cup. I want to talk to you about winter golf. And specifically, in defence of winter golf. Here are 9 good reasons why it's worth any amount of early-morning phone calls to the pro, extra layers of clothing, damp feet and greens that would shame the average goalmouth.

1 You shouldn't really be playing
Admit it. This time yesterday you'd given up all hope of a weekend game. The rain was siling down and the forecast was for more of the same. But now you're out there. And even though the greens may be sodden and the bunkers have become new water hazards, your six nett five was good enough to win the 12th and you're well on the way to a free lunch. It's a bit like winning a scrum against the head ­ an unexpected pleasure.

2 It's not actually that bad
Sometimes the prospect of doing something is much worse than the reality. Winter golf falls into this category. So it's cold and windy? That's OK. Just wear more clothes and take more club. What do you mean, it hasn't stopped raining for three solid days? What do you think umbrellas and waterproofs are for? Once you're out there you'll enjoy it. Trust me. And even if you don't, just think of it this way. It will be dark by four o'clock which means you can be legitimately in the bar enjoying a well earned pint or two that much earlier.

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