The IceRays field guide
Golf in the heat over 60: a simple plan for hot rounds
A hot day does not have to mean a missed round. With a bit of planning you can still enjoy your golf in summer. This is a practical plan for players in their sixties, seventies and beyond: when to play, what to wear, what to carry, and when to call it a day.
It is general guidance, not medical advice. If you have a heart condition, take regular medicines or have been unwell in the heat before, ask your GP how hot weather affects you.
Pick your tee time with the weather in mind
Heat and UV are not the same thing, so check both.
- Heat is the temperature you feel. It usually builds through the afternoon.
- UV is the part of sunlight that burns and damages skin. You cannot feel it. Cancer Council says UV is usually highest between 10 am and 4 pm, and it can be high on cool or cloudy days too.
An early tee time is often the best of both worlds. You finish before the worst of the heat and miss part of the strongest UV. Check the forecast the night before. The free SunSmart Global UV app shows the sun protection times for where you are. When the UV is 3 or above, Cancer Council says to protect your skin.
If the forecast is very hot, it is fine to change your booking. Ask the pro shop whether your club has a hot-weather policy, so you know where you stand.
Dress for the heat and the sun
Good golf clothing in summer does two jobs. It keeps the sun off your skin and lets you stay comfortable.
- Hat. A broad-brimmed hat shades your face, ears and neck. Cancer Council suggests a brim of at least 7.5 cm. A cap leaves your ears and the back of your neck out in the sun.
- Shirt. A light, loose shirt with a collar.
- Arms. Your forearms face the sun for the whole round, from address to follow-through. Sun sleeves let you keep your favourite short-sleeved shirt and still cover them.
- Sunscreen. On your face, neck, ears and hands. Cancer Council says to reapply every two hours, and after sweating.
- Sunglasses. Choose a pair that meets the Australian standard.
Why sleeves suit a hot round
UPF is a rating for fabric. UPF 50+ means the fabric blocks 98% or more of UV. IceRays fabric was tested by ARPANSA in 2015 (black sample) and rated UPF 50+. Read what that test covered (PDF, opens in a new tab) for the full detail.
On a hot day, sleeves have a few practical upsides:
- There is nothing to reapply on your arms on the back nine.
- Sweat spreads through the thin fabric and dries in the breeze, which can feel cool. That is a comfort feeling, not a promise of a lower temperature. Our page do cooling sleeves work? explains it honestly.
- They are easy to slip off in the clubhouse and back on at the first tee.
Tracy, a golfer, put it simply in her video about her IceRays:
"They're light, they're comfortable."
That is what you want in the heat. You can watch Tracy's video on YouTube.
One tip: test the fit before a competition day. Put the sleeves on at home and make a few slow practice swings in the backyard. Check the top band sits comfortably above the elbow and does not slide when you turn. Our page do sleeves affect your swing? has more on this. One size fits all adults.
What to carry in the bag
- A full water bottle, plus a second one or a plan for the refill taps on the course.
- Sunscreen in a small tube, for top-ups at the halfway point.
- A small towel. Damp it at a tap and drape it on your neck at the turn if you like.
- A light snack for the back nine.
- Your phone, charged, in case you or a playing partner needs help.
If you can, take a cart on hot days. It saves your energy for the shots that count. Park it in the shade while you putt.
Pace yourself on the course
- Drink a little at every few holes, before you feel thirsty.
- Stand in the shade of a tree while others play their shots.
- Use the halfway house. Sit down, cool off and refill.
- Keep an eye on your playing partners, and let them keep an eye on you.
Know when to stop
Heat illness can creep up on anyone, at any age. Stop, get into the shade and drink water if you or a partner feels dizzy, sick, confused, very tired, or has a headache or cramps. If someone is confused, stops sweating or collapses, call 000 in Australia (911 in the US). healthdirect explains heatstroke, what to do and how to avoid it.
There is no shame in walking in after nine holes. The course will be there next week.
A simple hot-day checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Night before | Check the forecast and UV. Move your tee time earlier if you can. Fill water bottles and put them in the fridge. |
| Before you leave | Sunscreen on face, neck, ears and hands. Sleeves on. Hat and sunglasses in the car. |
| On the course | Drink every few holes. Shade between shots. Cart if you can. |
| At the turn | Sit down, refill, top up sunscreen. Ask yourself if you feel fine to play on. |
| After the round | Rehydrate. Wash the sleeves as the care label says, and pack them back in your bag. |
More for golfers
- Sun sleeves for golf
- Sun protection for golfers: why your arms burn even with sunscreen on
- Do cooling sleeves work? An honest answer
- The wet test, explained
- Sun sleeves for seniors
Playing with friends? The IceRays 4-pack is AUD 120 for four pairs, or $30 a pair. That saves $31.80 on four single pairs, and you can mix colours. In the US, the 4-pack is USD 100.
Related guides
Common questions
What is the best time to play golf in summer?
Early morning is usually best. It is cooler, and you miss part of the strongest UV, which Cancer Council says is usually between 10 am and 4 pm. Check the forecast and UV the night before.
Will sleeves make me too hot on the course?
They are light and thin, and sweat dries off them in a breeze, which can feel cool. Comfort varies, so try them on a warm practice day before a competition.
Do sleeves affect my swing?
They should not if they fit well. Make a few slow practice swings at home and check the top band sits comfortably and stays put.
Do I still need sunscreen with sleeves?
Yes, on everything the sleeves and your clothes do not cover: face, ears, neck and hands. Cancer Council recommends using all five sun protection steps together.
Can I share a pack with my playing group?
Yes. The 4-pack is four pairs, and you can choose different colours for each person. One size fits all adults.