Feb 06, 2026

Sicko Season: Why Winter Golfers Are Built Different

by Justin Bush

There are golfers… and then there are winter golfers.

You know the type.
Frost on the fairways. Breath is visible in the air. Cart paths dusted in snow. The group chat is silent except for one message:

“Anyone want to tee it up?”

Welcome to Sicko Season.

What Is Sicko Season?

“Sicko Season” is that magical stretch of the year when normal golfers pack it in, clean their clubs, and start talking about next season.

But the true degener— sorry — dedicated golfers?
They’re layering up and heading to the first tee.

Winter golf isn’t logical.
It isn’t comfortable.
It definitely isn’t optimal.

And that’s exactly why we love it.

Because if the course is open, we’re playing.

Winter Golfers Are Built Different

There’s a special mindset required to tee it up when the ground is frozen solid.

Winter golfers have:

• Hands that no longer feel temperature
• A relationship with hand warmers is stronger than most marriages
• Zero fear of losing a ball in leaves, mud, or the occasional snow drift
• The belief that a 42° sunny day is perfect golf weather

And in case you're wondering, yes, beer is still being consumed — some traditions never change. But the real ones know about frontier coffee… You know, the kind with a little whiskey warming up the mug.

If summer golf is about scoring, winter golf is about surviving and vibing.

And honestly? It might be the purest version of the game.

Why We Actually Love Winter Golf

1. The Course Is Empty

No waiting on every tee.
No five-hour rounds.
No bachelor parties blasting music from three fairways over.

Just you, your friends, and the peaceful sound of a slightly stinging mishit.

Winter golf is golf in its most relaxed form.

2. Expectations Are Lower (Blessedly Lower)

Nobody expects to shoot a career round in 38° weather.

That means:

• A topped drive? Acceptable.
• A three-putt? Understandable.
• A snowman on the scorecard? Seasonally appropriate.

Winter golf gives us permission to stop chasing perfection and just enjoy being outside.

And honestly, we need that.

3. Every Good Shot Feels Legendary

Striping a drive in July? Nice.

Flushing a 5-iron while wearing three layers, two gloves, and mild hypothermia?

Heroic.

Winter golf turns ordinary shots into core memories.

The Winter Golfer Uniform

Sicko Season comes with a dress code.

Layering becomes an art form:

Thermal base layer
Hoodies or quarter zip
Vest or jacket
Beanie that never leaves your head
Two gloves (no shame)
Backup socks in the car (real ones know)

Winter golf fashion isn’t about looking perfect.

It’s about staying warm enough to keep swinging.

And if you can still look good doing it? Even better.

It’s Never Really About the Score

Winter golf reminds us why we fell in love with the game in the first place.

It’s not the tournaments.
It’s not the handicap.

It’s not ideal conditions, such as attempting to place your tee in a frozen tundra while the group uses the same hole that is eventually put into the ground.

It’s the laughs.
The group chat.
The fresh air.
The irrational optimism that today might be the day everything clicks.

Even when it’s 40° and windy.

Especially when it’s 40° and windy.

If the Course Is Open, We’re Playing

That’s the Sicko Season mindset.

Because someday we’ll be older, busier, and wishing we played more golf.

So if the course is open today?
We’re grabbing the clubs.

Snow piles, cold fingers, and all.

Winter golfers really are built differently.