Guest post from Hannah Barlowe, Sportsballshop.co.uk

The importance of clothing for any golfer cannot be overstated. Choosing the right clothes can definitely take shots off your round. With this in mind, you will need to pay particular attention to all of your golf wear and that includes gloves and shoes too.

Most golfers assume that when you talk about clothing you are referring solely to waterproofs for those wet and treacherous conditions. They are undoubtedly important although they form only part of your overall golf wardrobe. Playing through driving rain is hard enough but if you are literally soaked through to the skin because of inadequate protection, you are unlikely to play at your best, so keep high quality waterproofs on hand at all times and if an unexpected downpour does occur, you have easy access to them.

At the other end of the weather scale, it is equally important to pay attention to your clothing during hot weather. Always remember to pay attention to the course rules which are likely to stipulate that only tailored shorts are acceptable and remember the value of a hat.

If you watch professional golf, either at a course or on the television, you will notice that most, if not all, of the professionals will wear some sort of hat or visor. For many, this holds value in two areas: firstly, it protects against the sun but also, most professionals will say that it helps them to shut out distractions and focus on the ball when they are striking it.

Remember, an average round of golf will usually take between four and five hours so clothing is simply vital no matter what the weather may have in store. All of your clothing should be comfortable and loose fitting so that it does not hamper your play at any stage.

When it comes to shoes, the relevance of properly fitting footwear can be underlined by some statistics. Over the course of the four to five hours that it takes to play a round of golf, you could be walking up to six miles. Remember then that the value of comfortable shoes is plainly obvious and that painful, sore feet are likely to lead to overall fatigue and a less competent round.

A driving glove can also be overlooked but this is another important piece of equipment that can help to shave shots off your game. It helps you grip when you drive through the ball and therefore leads to straighter hitting.

Generally speaking, golf gloves should be tight but not uncomfortable and if you are in any doubt, ask the professional at your local club shop for some assistance with your purchase. The same principle can apply to any item of clothing that you buy and if you are not sure if it is right for you, seek some advice before you buy.

As a golfer, you will naturally know the importance of equipment such as clubs or balls from www.sportsballshop.co.uk so do not compromise on clothing. Make sure you are properly kitted out in comfortable, high quality golfwear and it can only help your game.

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Editor’s note: What do you carry in your bag in case of weather changes or emergencies? Add your comment in the space below.