Proper Golf Gear for Thailand

In addition to your golf clubs, proper golf gear and clothing will make your experience playing here in Thailand more enjoyable.  If you have never played in a tropical climate before, here are a few tips to make even the most extreme conditions more bearable.

First, make sure you have the appropriate clothing.  Clothing that breathes and wicks moisture away from your skin is best.  Natural fibers like cotton are good in a lighter weight, but they have a tendency to get loaded up with moisture and lose their wicking ability.  The newer fabrics like Nike's Dri-Fit, Adidas Climacool, and other quality brands wick away moisture and then helps evaporate the moisture quickly and keeps the body cooler. Try to select a lighter color as it will absorb less heat.   A good hat is also important.  I like to choose hats that have a mesh top to allow heat and moisture to escape more quickly.  For pants, shorts are allowed in most golf courses as they know that many visiting golfers are from climates much cooler than Thailand.  In contrast, many Asian players (especially women) will choose long sleeves shirts and pants and even wear face shields to keep their skin tone lighter.  However you choose to dress, make sure you are comfortable.

An umbrella is an essential piece of equipment when playing  on most days.  A good reflective umbrella will shield you from the hot sunlight and offers shelter from rainstorms.  The shade the umbrella offers is like an oasis in the middle of the fairway, especially if the party in front is playing a bit slow.  And during a sudden, heavy rainstorm, the umbrella will prevent you from getting soaked to the core in a matter of minutes.  I like the twin canopy umbrellas like the one from Mizuno on the left as it prevents a blow-out during a sudden wind gust.  The good thing is that if you forget your umbrella, they are fairly cheap here in the LOS and often can be purchased at the local pro shop prior to your round.

An often overlooked item are hand towels.  I use a couple during each round to either wipe off my grips or my face as I sweat a lot in the tropical heat.  They are also very useful during wet weather.  Typically, towels are hung underneath the umbrellas to keep them dry and easily available.

I like the synthetic breathable gloves in this climate and often use two pairs during a round as my hands sweat quite a bit.  They can then be thrown in the wash and come out looking fresh and smelling new.  Leather Cabretta gloves are best if cost is not a factor, but they cannot be easily washed and will retain dirt and moisture so they have to be replaced more quickly.  

When it rains during your round, as it often does here in Thailand, you personally may be fine and dry underneath your umbrella and rain gear, but your golf bag will not be so lucky unless you have some protection for it like a  vinyl or plastic golf bag cover.  During my first year here, I was lucky to not encounter any big storms I couldn't get under cover from quickly and didn't feel I needed a rain cover.  During my second year, I was caught on several occasions on the course during a sudden downpour and my bag was totally soaked.  All the contents inside, including my personal belongings, were soaked as was the grips of my clubs and the head covers.  It took days and days for everything to dry off completely in the humid air.  Since then, I always carry a 'raincoat' for my bag every time I go out and the caddies are very good about putting them on at the first hint of any rain.

A gear bag for carrying your golf shoes, a change of clothing, and personal toilet accessories is a good investment.  After a round of golf in hot weather, most players will want to shower and cool off before returning home or to their hotels.  A gear bag with  separate compartments for shoes, toiletries, and clothing will make things easier to manage. 

Insect repellent will keep those like me who attract mosquitoes from a mile away from being harassed during your round.  While the grounds keepers are pretty good at keeping things under control, the wet season brings out bugs that have nothing better to do than to wait for golfers to pass by for dinner.  Along that line, Sunscreen is essential for protection from the sun.  I like to use the water resistant type in order to avoid losing most of it during the round due to heavy sweating.

Sunglasses are a must if you play during the hottest part of the day.  The benefits to your eyes in the long run are well documented and they don't cost that much for a decent pair.  

Hopefully this list of items will help you prepare for our trip over and maybe as a checklist before you head off to the links the next day.  These items will definitely make your round safer and more enjoyable.