It's tough ditching your favorite hobby (golf) for months each winter. Golf, after all, isn’t just a game — it’s routine, therapy, identity. But winter has a funny way of stripping all that away, and in doing so, it might just become the perfect escape from that nagging score-obsessed rut. For starters, nobody gives a hoot about your rounds. And best of all, you don't care either. You're too busy surviving.

Because make no mistake, it’s still golf, just without the comforts. No perfect lies, no soft greens forgiving sloppy shots. Layers of clothes, numb fingers, lost distance. The cold air bites, the turf is firm and unforgiving, and suddenly the game demands something different: creativity, patience, acceptance. Most aren’t crazy for that. Some endure. And that’s fine. But that’s where the purists come in. They love it.

Heck, those are the same folks who host mini golf "events" on a frozen lake with friends. Not kidding. Watch the crazy (but fun) event here.

But there are still some precautions we’d recommend you take. Invest in high-quality outerwear. Try wearing a snood. Get gloves. Get a waterproof bag. And remember, your ball doesn't fly as far in cold weather. Blame the dense cold air for creating extra drag on your golf ball. So, don't fret over it.

But there are a few other things you need to consider:

Keep your shoe soles clean to dodge slips on the course. Don’t take golf carts. Practice your short game (we’ve explained how below). And most of all, enjoy it.

And there it is. Not sweating the score, walking it out, making golf an adventure, dreaming of post-round warm food and drinks. That's winter golf.

And just like that, the experimental Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler captaincy wraps up with the Optum Golf Channel Games. Missed the highlights? You didn't. We'll fill you in.

Cheating: With the score tied after five events, the event boiled down to a captains' playoff (Rory vs. Scottie). From 47 yards, Rory stuck it to six feet. Scottie replied with a one-inch edge inside. Team Scottie won... or did they? Is it just us, or can you clearly hear the official say Rory’s ball is nearer? Plenty of viewers seem to agree. But what do you think? Watch closely and decide for yourself:

Disaster: In the Team Relay (four-player alternate shot), Team Rory had a near-fatal scare. No kidding. On hole 9, Rory's shot rocketed straight at Shane Lowry. Too close for comfort. It stuck his shin first, then bounced off onto the green. Watch this near-disaster that’ll make you think twice before hitting the course.

Captain: It’s good to be Scottie these days. Better to be around the guy, in fact. Aside from leading his team – Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns, and Luke Clanton – to a win, he proved he’s captain cool. When Burns questioned what to do, hear Scottie’s answer that explains how the team won the match.

Speed: The occasion was Team Relay. And the guys were on a timer. Obviously, Rory had to sprint towards the greenside bunker to hit his next shot. And so he did, but barely out of breath. Then he nailed a stunning shot for Shane Lowry to drop it in the cup – here’s Rory proving golfers can be athletes too.

Insane: He's young. Ex-World No. 1 Amateur. And he absolutely bombs drives. Yep, that's Luke Clanton. In the driving contest against Luke Donald, the 22-year-old registered a blistering 191 mph. Watch how his rivals reacted for a good giggle.

Most golfers obsess over swing mechanics, ignoring their short game. But during winter, when tight lies, damp turf, and inconsistent conditions make scoring even harder, the short game becomes far less forgiving. Get a tad bit better at those simple chips, pitches, and cut three-putts, and you could still shave six or eight strokes off your scores. Here’s one way to do it:

• Assess conditions from 30-35 yards. Choose putter, 3-wood (15° loft for run), or 6-iron for a running shot, prioritizing ground contact over lofted shots.

• Position the sternum slightly ahead of the ball center, grip down. Add a light shaft lean and weight forward to brush the ground at impact without tension.

• Keep wrists passive. Let the chest and arms move together softly for consistency; match the address to the impact position to minimize variation. Watch renowned golf coach Simon Holmes demonstrate it below.

Stick with this routine till it feels natural. Then hit the other three tips to master your short game this winter.

As a golf nerd, how many visors do you want? Two? Seven for every day? Someone forgot to tell ‘Tweeth Mitchell’ that it should have a limit. Your local visor hoarder doesn’t just own a lot — he boasts over 200 at home. It kicked off in 2019 when his buddy gifted him one plastered with the infamous Bethpage warning. He had two. Then 12. Now? 225 and counting.

His commitment to his passion comes with humility intact. He confesses he grew up ‘broke’ and still squirms with cash in hand. No, he doesn't regret splurging, and for a pretty eye-opening reason.

This isn't the only case of crazy golf collections. Bill Slevin can top anyone. The guy amassed 10,000 rare and valuable golf clubs. Then sold it to Golden Age Auctions. Here’s a rare peek at the world’s largest private golf club collection.