Trevor Ng
Golf is an outdoor sport, and some golfers will play in any weather. However, some golfers prefer to cancel when it rains. The PGA Tour and other governing bodies have protocols for inclement weather, including rain. There are two types of play stoppage: immediate and normal suspension. Immediate suspension is called when there is imminent danger, such as lightning, and players must evacuate without taking another stroke. Normal suspension allows players to decide whether to stop play or finish the hole. Golf courses have varying policies regarding refunds or credits for rounds cancelled due to rain. Some courses offer refunds or credits with no questions asked, while others provide full credit for another day. Third-party tee time services may also offer protection plans for refunds due to weather interruptions. Ultimately, golfers' decisions to play in the rain depend on their availability, tolerance for weather conditions, and the course's policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancellation due to rain | Golfers have varying preferences; some golfers will play in any weather, while others prefer to cancel when it rains. |
| Refunds | Some courses allow refunds or full credit for future use, but policies vary. Third-party tee time services like GolfNow offer protection plans or weather guarantees for a refund at an additional cost. |
| Rain delays | The PGA Tour and other governing bodies have protocols for inclement weather, including immediate and normal suspensions of play. |
| Lightning | If lightning is seen or reported by the committee, players can leave the course immediately without penalty. |
| Wind | High winds can impact play and club choice. |
| Course conditions | Golf courses may remain open during rain unless flooding occurs. |
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What You'll Learn
Golf courses' rain cancellation policies
Golf courses have varying rain cancellation policies. Some courses allow cancellations without penalty, especially those on the lower end of the price scale that do not require a deposit or a credit card number when booking. Many other courses, however, do not offer refunds but instead provide full credit for use on another day.
Third-party tee time services like GolfNow sell protection plans similar to travel insurance, where golfers pay a little extra to safeguard themselves against the weather. The PGA of America also offers a Weather Guarantee, which, for a cost of 8 to 12 percent of the total booking price, provides refunds for rounds interrupted by bad weather.
Golf Westchester, for example, has a rain check policy that depends on the number of holes completed. If five or fewer holes are completed, players will receive an 18-hole rain check. For six to nine holes completed, a nine-hole rain check is issued. No rain check is given after teeing off on the 10th hole. Rain checks are only valid for greens fees and carts, and the reservation fees are non-refundable.
Some courses may also have specific "No Show" policies. For instance, Golf Westchester states that if a player fails to show up for their tee time without cancelling at least 36 hours in advance, they will be flagged as a "No Show" and charged the greens fee. If the entire group does not show up, they will be responsible for paying all the fees the next time they play.
It is important to note that rain cancellation policies can vary across different golf courses, so golfers should educate themselves by calling the pro shop or checking the course's website for their specific cancellation policies.
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Golfers' preferences for playing in the rain
Golfers have varying preferences when it comes to playing in the rain. While some golfers will play in any weather, others prefer to cancel when it rains. Those who choose to play in the rain must adapt their techniques and wear appropriate rain gear to stay dry and comfortable. Here are some tips that reflect golfers' preferences for playing in the rain:
Clothing and Accessories:
Waterproof clothing is essential for golfers who choose to play in the rain. This includes a good waterproof jacket, water-repellent trousers, waterproof shoes, and a dry change of clothes for after the game. Golfers should also consider wearing moisture-wicking base layers to keep sweat away from the skin while staying warm. Rain gloves can improve grip in wet conditions, and soft spikes can provide stability and grounding during the swing. Golf umbrellas are useful for keeping both golfers and their equipment dry.
Course Conditions and Strategies:
Golfers playing in the rain should be prepared for different course conditions. The ball may not roll as far on wet ground, so playing an extra club and adjusting chip shots can help. Wet sand in bunkers can cause shots to fly further. To avoid a soggy scorecard, golfers can wait a few holes before recording scores. Golfers should also be aware of reduced visibility in rainy or foggy conditions, which can make it harder to track ball flight and judge distances.
Mental Resilience:
Playing golf in the rain can be uncomfortable and frustrating due to cold temperatures, wet clothing, and slower play. It requires mental toughness and a positive attitude to stay focused and maintain enjoyment of the game. However, some golfers find it rewarding to test their skills and adaptability in adverse conditions.
Cancellation and Refunds:
Some golfers prefer to avoid playing in the rain altogether and seek refunds or rain checks. The cancellation policies vary depending on the golf course and booking method. Third-party tee time services may offer protection plans or weather guarantees for a refund or credit in case of inclement weather.
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Rain refunds and protection plans
Golf courses have different approaches when it comes to dealing with cancellations due to bad weather. Some golfers will play in any weather, while others would rather cancel when it rains. The type of refund you will get, if any, depends on the type of course, its point-of-sales capabilities, and how you made your reservation.
Some courses on the lower end of the price scale that do not require a deposit or credit card number when booking offer lenient policies and allow you to cancel without penalty. Other courses strike a middle ground: they won't issue a refund but will provide you with full credit, which can be used for another day of play.
If you paid in advance through a third-party tee time service, you’ll be subject to that company’s policies, which are often less lenient than those of the course. Certain third-party services, such as GolfNow, offer protection plans at an additional cost that provide refunds for rounds impacted by bad weather. The PGA of America also offers a Weather Guarantee program for a fee of 8 to 12 percent of the total booking price.
Additionally, Sensible Weather, a company that offers money-back guarantees for rained-out rounds, is partnering with the PGA of America and its 28,000 member properties. While Sensible Weather does not yet have a formal timeline for when this service will be available, it plans to offer refunds to golfers on thousands of golf courses worldwide, making the rain check a thing of the past.
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Rain delays and suspensions
Golf is an outdoor sport, and some golfers are willing to play in any weather. However, heavy rain, lightning, and thunderstorms can cause delays or suspensions during a game. Some golfers may decide to continue playing in the rain, but lightning or the threat of lightning can be a safety hazard, leading to the suspension of a game.
The PGA Tour and other governing bodies have protocols for inclement weather, including rain delays and suspensions. There are two types of play stoppage on the PGA Tour: Immediate Suspension and Normal Suspension. Immediate Suspension is called when there is imminent danger, such as lightning, and players must evacuate the grounds without taking another stroke. Normal Suspension, on the other hand, allows players the option to either stop play or finish the hole they are playing. This type of suspension is common during prolonged rain without lightning.
During a suspension, players are advised not to collect their scorecards and to make note of the location of their balls. Tournament referees may use technology to digitally mark the location of players' balls to ensure they resume play from the exact spot. Additionally, players are informed about when play will resume and when practice facilities will be open.
Golf courses may offer refunds or rain checks in the event of rain. Some courses provide full or partial refunds, while others offer full credit for another day. Third-party tee time services may also offer protection plans or weather guarantees for an additional cost, providing refunds for rounds interrupted by inclement weather.
Golfers have varying preferences for playing in the rain. Some golfers will continue playing until their grips get wet, while others may wait for a drizzle to stop before starting their round. Ultimately, the decision to cancel or postpone a game due to rain depends on the golfers' preferences, course policies, and the severity of the weather conditions.
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Lightning and other weather conditions
While some golfers are happy to play in any weather, others prefer to cancel when it rains. For those who do decide to play in the rain, it is important to be aware of the potential impact on their game. For example, if wind, rain, or other weather conditions move the marker, the player must put the ball back in its original position.
Lightning is a serious concern for golfers, and it is mentioned by several sources as a reason to stop playing. If a player sees lightning or the committee reports lightning, they can leave the course immediately without needing to pick up their ball or mark it. When play resumes, if the ball is missing or has moved, the player must return it to its original position without penalty.
There are two types of play stoppage on the PGA Tour: immediate suspension and normal suspension. Immediate suspension is called when there is imminent danger and is signalled by one long blast of an air horn. Normal suspension is signalled by three consecutive blasts of the horn and is used when there is darkness or prolonged rain without lightning. In normal suspension, players have the option to either stop playing or finish the hole they are playing. In stroke play, individuals can make their own decisions, but in match play, if one opponent elects to stop, both players must stop.
To prepare for potential weather interruptions, golfers can purchase protection plans from third-party tee time services like GolfNow. These plans are similar to travel insurance and can provide refunds or vouchers for rounds interrupted by bad weather. The PGA of America also offers a Weather Guarantee that, for a fee of 8 to 12 percent of the booking price, offers refunds for rounds disrupted by the weather.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf games are rarely cancelled due to rain alone, but lightning or thunderstorms may cause a cancellation. Some golfers will play in any weather, while others will cancel if it's raining heavily.
If a game is cancelled due to bad weather, players are informed of when play will resume, and when practice facilities will be open.
If a game is postponed, players are limited to the clubs selected for the original round when play resumes.
Refund policies vary depending on the golf course and how you made your reservation. Some courses allow you to cancel without penalty, while others will give you full credit to use on another day.
Third-party tee time services like GolfNow sell protection plans that safeguard you against the elements. The PGA of America also offers a Weather Guarantee, which for a cost of 8 to 12 percent of the booking price, offers refunds for rounds interrupted by bad weather.
