Your first round of spring: the course and yourself after winter
In March the course is a different course than in July, and your body a different body than in October. What changes, why the ball flies shorter, and how to open the season without injury.
In this article
The first fine day in March is the starting signal for many golfers, and it often ends in disappointment: the ball flies shorter, the greens roll differently, the fairways are soft, and after twelve holes your back aches. That is rarely your swing. In spring, both the course and your body are in a transitional phase.
In short: expect less distance, slower greens and soft ground in spring, and build your own load through nine holes before walking eighteen. Take two clubs more than usual, and hold off judging your game until May.
What happens to the course
The ground is wet and soft, so the ball lands and stays rather than running out, which cuts your total distance considerably. The air is colder and therefore denser, slowing the ball further; below ten degrees, most players allow roughly an extra club. The greens are slow and sometimes still temporary, so putts come up consistently short. And maintenance begins: aerating, top-dressing and overseeding leave greens temporarily bumpy, which is precisely what makes them good for the rest of the season.
The practical consequence: in March the course plays considerably longer than the scorecard suggests.
What happens to you
You are stiffer than in October, because a winter with little rotation costs mobility in hips and upper back. Your walking fitness is gone. Your timing is rusty, not your technique. And your expectations are still set to October, which is the most dangerous part.
The build-up that prevents injuries
Week 1: the range, thirty to forty balls, well warmed up, starting with half swings; no driver in the first session. Week 2: short game and nine holes with a trolley, which also calibrates your putting pace on spring greens. Week 3: nine to eighteen holes depending on how week 2 felt. Week 4 onwards: play normally, and only now remeasure your distances.
Checklist before your first round
Grips checked (a winter in a cold shed hardens rubber), clubs cleaned and bag emptied, rain gear packed, layers rather than one thick jacket, federation registration renewed, local rules checked (winter rules, temporary greens, closed holes), and insect repellent from March, because tick season starts earlier than people expect.
What spring does better
The course is empty, green fees are lower, daylight stretches again, and it is the best time for a lesson, since your timing is rusty anyway. It is also the best moment to start altogether: earn your course permit in spring and the whole season lies ahead of you.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my ball fly so much shorter in March? Cold, denser air plus wet ground with no run-out. Not a swing problem.
Do spring rounds count towards my handicap? Yes, provided they are registered as qualifying and played with a marker, including under officially declared winter rules.
When can I judge my game fairly again? From May, once the course is at summer pace and your body has had a few rounds.
At Zalm Golf, courses run in full from spring onwards, and that is not coincidentally the best moment to begin.