🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 102 (from laksa105)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa102.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22533/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22533/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22533\/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html","crawl_time":1776487808,"first_indexed_time":1772202013,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,golfshake!www,\/news\/view\/22533\/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html s443","src_root_hash":"12502247012793904902","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Reasons to start your golf season early","meta_descriptions":["For many of us the golf season doesn’t really get going until the first shot is struck at The Masters at Augusta National. But if you are someone who goes into golfing hibernation until then, you are missing out on several benefits."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"For many of us the golf season doesn’t really get going until the first shot is struck at The Masters at Augusta National.\nAs I'm sure you will all know by now, I am not one of those. I can understand why so many of you opt not to play during the cold, wet and miserable winter months. I play 12 months of the year and\nsometimes question both my own sanity and that of the guys I play with\n. It’s a time of year when you can never guarantee that you are going to be able to get out there.\nSpring is supposedly just around the corner but it still seems a long way off. \nWho Plays Golf in Winter?\nDo you ever question your sanity when it comes to playing golf at this time of year? Some of you tee off in near-darkness (what is that all about?), we all set off looking like Michelin men, wearing umpteen layers of clothing, sporting headgear we wouldn’t be seen dead in anywhere other than on a golf course. \nWe come off the course with no feeling in our fingers,\nour trousers covered in mud and sludge\n. We hit perfect drives that travel no distance whatsoever. We lose golf balls in piles of leaves. We slip and slide all over the place. I don’t know about you but despite my best efforts the boot of my car closely resembles the civic tip! And we keep coming back for more. Golfers are indeed a very strange breed.\nBut those of us who do it simply love it.\nIf you are one of those who waits for Augusta before getting your clubs out of hibernation, I would urge you to think again. There are all sorts of good reasons for playing golf at this time of year.\nWhy You Should Start The Golf Season Early\n(\nImage Credit: Kevin Diss Photography\n)\nFor a start, the days are getting longer, and that means we have more hours of daylight. It won’t be long before you will be able to finish your round in the evening and still be able to see the ball! \nCourse conditions at this time of year tend to be pretty soggy. Now you may wonder how that can possibly be a good thing. \nWell, if you know that you are getting absolutely no roll on the ball you will quickly learn exactly how far you fly every club in the bag - and that is something that is going to help you enormously as things start to dry out. \nIt is also fun to stand over an approach shot at this time of year and know that if you hit it anywhere near the flag then it is going to stop dead. Don’t forget to repair the massive pitchmark you will have left though!\nBunker shots are easier to play from damp sand. It’s a fact. You don’t have to worry about taking sand - you can simply clip the ball off the top and an added bonus is that if you make decent contact then you are going to impart backspin - a rare experience for most of us.\nIn these conditions you have to be more aggressive with pitch and runs and chip shots because you will get little or no roll. Again, as the season progresses, that can only benefit your short game. You also have to hit putts harder to get them to the hole, knowing that your ball is not going to run 15 feet beyond the cup.\nThis is also the best time of year to experience millionaire’s golf. With so many people looking out the window and thinking better of it, the chances are that your course will be far quieter than normal, which means you almost certainly will not have to endure a five-hour round. Another bonus is that when the course is quiet, there is nothing to stop you chucking another ball down. And you don’t have to adhere to the three-minute rule when looking for your golf ball because you will not be holding anybody up.\nIf you are out there on your own at this time of year, you can even give yourself \"those\" putts that your opponents would normally make you hole out.\nIf you are a golfing nomad, at this time of year you will be able to find reduced green fees. What’s not to love about that? \nPerhaps best of all, by the time the rest of your fiends emerge from their annual hibernation, you will already have your eye in and will be in prime position to give them a right good pasting. You will also have been able to identify which items of equipment should be replaced. Remember that there will have been a rash of new clubs launched and that means that last year’s models will all have been reduced. You have the opportunity to steal a march on your mates.\nDerek Clements\nis a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.","attrs_markdown":"[×]()\n\n### Top Links:\n[Our Services](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/services\/)\n\n[Get A Golf Handicap](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/golfhandicap\/)\n\n[Competitions](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/competitions\/)\n\n[Join or Login](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/spread-the-love\/)\n\n### Course:\n[UK Golf Guide](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/course\/ukgolfguide\/) \\| [Search](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/course\/search\/) \\| [Travel](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/travel\/)\n\n### News:\n[Latest](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/) \\| [Gear](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/gear\/) \\| [Tour](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/tourreviews\/) \\| [Industry](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/tag\/industry-insider\/)\n\n### Tuition:\n[Golf Tuition](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/improve\/) \\| [Instruction Content](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/improve\/articles\/)\n\n### Golfshake:\n[Join](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/spread-the-love\/) \\| [Log In](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/login\/) \\| [Help](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/help\/)\n\n×\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/styles\/images\/2015-GS-logo-330.jpg)](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/ \"Golfshake.com\")\n\n[Join](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/spread-the-love\/) [Sign In](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/login\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/)\n- [Courses](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/course\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/)\n- [Gear](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/gear\/)\n- [Tips](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/improve\/)\n- [Handicap](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/golfhandicap\/)\n- [Score Tracker](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/golfscoretracker\/)\n- [Our Services](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/services\/)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/travel\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--1yCPSqNs--\/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_970\/v1775818701\/partners\/gb\/2026\/gran-canaria\/569_-_Golfshake_banner_templates_-_640x93_GRANCANARIA.png)](https:\/\/www.golfbreaks.com\/en-gb\/holidays\/gran-canaria\/?utm_source=golfshake&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=grancanaria_march2026\/#breaks)\n\n# Reasons to start your golf season early\nBy: [Derek Clements](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/author\/derek-clements\/) \\| Edited: Thu 26 Mar 2026\n\nShare this article: [![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--TFx8u4br--\/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_16\/v1736352813\/assets\/buttons\/linkedin_network_linkedin_logo_icon.png)](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=http:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22533\/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html) [![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--MHsPO2Gk--\/c_scale,f_auto,h_16,q_auto,w_16\/v1736352813\/assets\/buttons\/x_twitter_new_logo_icon.png)](http:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=http:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22533\/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html) [![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--46fmll0w--\/c_scale,f_auto,h_16,q_auto,w_16\/v1736352813\/assets\/buttons\/facebook_facebook_logo_icon.png)](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=http:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22533\/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html)\n***\nFor many of us the golf season doesn’t really get going until the first shot is struck at The Masters at Augusta National.\n\nAs I'm sure you will all know by now, I am not one of those. I can understand why so many of you opt not to play during the cold, wet and miserable winter months. I play 12 months of the year and [sometimes question both my own sanity and that of the guys I play with](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22368\/Why_you_have_to_question_the_sanity_of_winter_golfers.html). It’s a time of year when you can never guarantee that you are going to be able to get out there.\n\nSpring is supposedly just around the corner but it still seems a long way off.\n\n## Who Plays Golf in Winter?\nDo you ever question your sanity when it comes to playing golf at this time of year? Some of you tee off in near-darkness (what is that all about?), we all set off looking like Michelin men, wearing umpteen layers of clothing, sporting headgear we wouldn’t be seen dead in anywhere other than on a golf course.\n\nWe come off the course with no feeling in our fingers, [our trousers covered in mud and sludge](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22491\/When_will_golf_courses_finally_dry_out.html). We hit perfect drives that travel no distance whatsoever. We lose golf balls in piles of leaves. We slip and slide all over the place. I don’t know about you but despite my best efforts the boot of my car closely resembles the civic tip! And we keep coming back for more. Golfers are indeed a very strange breed.\n\nBut those of us who do it simply love it.\n\nIf you are one of those who waits for Augusta before getting your clubs out of hibernation, I would urge you to think again. There are all sorts of good reasons for playing golf at this time of year.\n\n## Why You Should Start The Golf Season Early\n![Playing Golf in Spring](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--MLwzGieq--\/t_cms640\/v1772197081\/Golfshake_-_Golf_in_Spring_gwbl0j.jpg)\n\n([Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography](https:\/\/kevindiss.com\/))\n\nFor a start, the days are getting longer, and that means we have more hours of daylight. It won’t be long before you will be able to finish your round in the evening and still be able to see the ball\\!\n\nCourse conditions at this time of year tend to be pretty soggy. Now you may wonder how that can possibly be a good thing.\n\nWell, if you know that you are getting absolutely no roll on the ball you will quickly learn exactly how far you fly every club in the bag - and that is something that is going to help you enormously as things start to dry out.\n\nIt is also fun to stand over an approach shot at this time of year and know that if you hit it anywhere near the flag then it is going to stop dead. Don’t forget to repair the massive pitchmark you will have left though\\!\n\nBunker shots are easier to play from damp sand. It’s a fact. You don’t have to worry about taking sand - you can simply clip the ball off the top and an added bonus is that if you make decent contact then you are going to impart backspin - a rare experience for most of us.\n\nIn these conditions you have to be more aggressive with pitch and runs and chip shots because you will get little or no roll. Again, as the season progresses, that can only benefit your short game. You also have to hit putts harder to get them to the hole, knowing that your ball is not going to run 15 feet beyond the cup.\n\nThis is also the best time of year to experience millionaire’s golf. With so many people looking out the window and thinking better of it, the chances are that your course will be far quieter than normal, which means you almost certainly will not have to endure a five-hour round. Another bonus is that when the course is quiet, there is nothing to stop you chucking another ball down. And you don’t have to adhere to the three-minute rule when looking for your golf ball because you will not be holding anybody up.\n\nIf you are out there on your own at this time of year, you can even give yourself \"those\" putts that your opponents would normally make you hole out.\n\nIf you are a golfing nomad, at this time of year you will be able to find reduced green fees. What’s not to love about that?\n\nPerhaps best of all, by the time the rest of your fiends emerge from their annual hibernation, you will already have your eye in and will be in prime position to give them a right good pasting. You will also have been able to identify which items of equipment should be replaced. Remember that there will have been a rash of new clubs launched and that means that last year’s models will all have been reduced. You have the opportunity to steal a march on your mates.\n***\n### About the author\n![DC](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--9xkZj8FX--\/c_scale,h_125,w_125\/v1611672858\/assets\/placements\/dc.jpg)\n\n[Derek Clements](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/author\/derek-clements\/) is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.\n\n[![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--MHsPO2Gk--\/c_scale,f_auto,h_16,q_auto,w_16\/v1736352813\/assets\/buttons\/x_twitter_new_logo_icon.png)](https:\/\/x.com\/derekclem1)[![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--5oj1RYSE--\/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_16\/v1760534853\/assets\/buttons\/instagram-1-64.png)](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/derekclements182)\n***\n***\n\n## Latest News\n[![Spectacular new Scottish golf course to open in May 2026]()](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22680\/Spectacular_new_Scottish_golf_course_to_open_in_May_2026.html)\n\n[Spectacular new Scottish golf course to open in May 2026](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22680\/Spectacular_new_Scottish_golf_course_to_open_in_May_2026.html)\n\n[![Rory McIlroy's success highlights island of Ireland as a golf destination]()](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22679\/Rory_McIlroys_success_highlights_island_of_Ireland_as_a_golf_destination.html)\n\n[Rory McIlroy's success highlights island of Ireland as a golf destination](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22679\/Rory_McIlroys_success_highlights_island_of_Ireland_as_a_golf_destination.html)\n\n[![The best new irons for high handicap golfers]()](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22678\/The_best_new_irons_for_high_handicap_golfers.html)\n\n[The best new irons for high handicap golfers](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22678\/The_best_new_irons_for_high_handicap_golfers.html)\n\n[![What next for Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau after dismal Masters?]()](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22677\/What_next_for_Jon_Rahm_and_Bryson_DeChambeau_after_dismal_Masters.html)\n\n[What next for Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau after dismal Masters?](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22677\/What_next_for_Jon_Rahm_and_Bryson_DeChambeau_after_dismal_Masters.html)\n\n[![Rory McIlroy's next chapter might be his greatest yet]()](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22676\/Rory_McIlroys_next_chapter_might_be_his_greatest_yet.html)\n\n[Rory McIlroy's next chapter might be his greatest yet](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22676\/Rory_McIlroys_next_chapter_might_be_his_greatest_yet.html)\n\n[![Is Rory McIlroy the best European golfer of all time?]()](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22675\/Is_Rory_McIlroy_the_best_European_golfer_of_all_time.html)\n\n[Is Rory McIlroy the best European golfer of all time?](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22675\/Is_Rory_McIlroy_the_best_European_golfer_of_all_time.html)\n\n[![RBC Heritage 2026 preview, picks & analysis]()](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22674\/RBC_Heritage_2026_preview_picks_analysis.html)\n\n[RBC Heritage 2026 preview, picks & analysis](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22674\/RBC_Heritage_2026_preview_picks_analysis.html)\n\n[![Rory McIlroy proves that patience is the key to winning at Augusta National]()](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22673\/Rory_McIlroy_proves_that_patience_is_the_key_to_winning_at_Augusta_National.html)\n\n[Rory McIlroy proves that patience is the key to winning at Augusta National](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22673\/Rory_McIlroy_proves_that_patience_is_the_key_to_winning_at_Augusta_National.html)\n\n### Content\n[Golf Tuition](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/improve\/)\n\n[Tuition Series](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/improve\/playbetter\/)\n\n[Golf News](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/)\n\n[Golf Gear](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/gear\/)\n\n[Forum Archive](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/forums\/)\n\n### Golf Courses\n[Golf Course Directory](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/course\/)\n\n[UK Golf 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Play Better.\n[Help](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/help\/) \\| [Site Map](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/site-map\/) \\| [Our Services](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/services\/) \\| [Golfshake Apps](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/golfshakeapp\/) \\| [Feedback](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/feedback\/) \\| [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/contact-us\/) \\| [Work With Us](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/advertising\/) \\| [Our Partners](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/partners\/) \\| [Change Privacy Settings](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22533\/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html)\n\n[![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--pRvziB_s--\/c_scale,h_40,w_40\/v1467639875\/assets\/buttons\/1467657786_facebook_circle_gray.png)](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/golfshake) [![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--KGoT2-C6--\/c_scale,h_40,w_40\/v1467639875\/assets\/buttons\/1467657790_twitter_circle_gray.png)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/golfshake) [![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--TD0pOwEe--\/c_scale,w_40\/v1467639875\/assets\/buttons\/1467657794_instagram_circle_gray.png)](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/golfshake\/) [![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--OvNdqhho--\/c_scale,h_40,w_40\/v1467639875\/assets\/buttons\/1467657796_youtube_circle_gray.png)](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/GolfshakeOfficial\/)   \n  \n [![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--vdcoEuOG--\/c_scale,h_44,w_150\/v1467640677\/assets\/buttons\/Apple_App_Store_Logo_1412896651403_8895758_ver1.0.png)](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/services\/) [![](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--9GXTh2M7--\/c_scale,h_44,w_150\/v1467640676\/assets\/buttons\/Google_Play_Store_Icon_1412896651170_8895755_ver1.0.png)](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/services\/)   \n  \n© Copyright 2007-2026 Golfshake.com Ltd. All rights reserved. [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/terms\/), [Privacy Policy & Cookie Policy](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/terms\/privacy\/)\n\nScroll to top","attrs_readable_markdown":"For many of us the golf season doesn’t really get going until the first shot is struck at The Masters at Augusta National.\n\nAs I'm sure you will all know by now, I am not one of those. I can understand why so many of you opt not to play during the cold, wet and miserable winter months. I play 12 months of the year and [sometimes question both my own sanity and that of the guys I play with](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22368\/Why_you_have_to_question_the_sanity_of_winter_golfers.html). It’s a time of year when you can never guarantee that you are going to be able to get out there.\n\nSpring is supposedly just around the corner but it still seems a long way off.\n\n## Who Plays Golf in Winter?\nDo you ever question your sanity when it comes to playing golf at this time of year? Some of you tee off in near-darkness (what is that all about?), we all set off looking like Michelin men, wearing umpteen layers of clothing, sporting headgear we wouldn’t be seen dead in anywhere other than on a golf course.\n\nWe come off the course with no feeling in our fingers, [our trousers covered in mud and sludge](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/view\/22491\/When_will_golf_courses_finally_dry_out.html). We hit perfect drives that travel no distance whatsoever. We lose golf balls in piles of leaves. We slip and slide all over the place. I don’t know about you but despite my best efforts the boot of my car closely resembles the civic tip! And we keep coming back for more. Golfers are indeed a very strange breed.\n\nBut those of us who do it simply love it.\n\nIf you are one of those who waits for Augusta before getting your clubs out of hibernation, I would urge you to think again. There are all sorts of good reasons for playing golf at this time of year.\n\n## Why You Should Start The Golf Season Early\n![Playing Golf in Spring](https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/golfshake\/image\/upload\/s--MLwzGieq--\/t_cms640\/v1772197081\/Golfshake_-_Golf_in_Spring_gwbl0j.jpg)\n\n([Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography](https:\/\/kevindiss.com\/))\n\nFor a start, the days are getting longer, and that means we have more hours of daylight. It won’t be long before you will be able to finish your round in the evening and still be able to see the ball\\!\n\nCourse conditions at this time of year tend to be pretty soggy. Now you may wonder how that can possibly be a good thing.\n\nWell, if you know that you are getting absolutely no roll on the ball you will quickly learn exactly how far you fly every club in the bag - and that is something that is going to help you enormously as things start to dry out.\n\nIt is also fun to stand over an approach shot at this time of year and know that if you hit it anywhere near the flag then it is going to stop dead. Don’t forget to repair the massive pitchmark you will have left though\\!\n\nBunker shots are easier to play from damp sand. It’s a fact. You don’t have to worry about taking sand - you can simply clip the ball off the top and an added bonus is that if you make decent contact then you are going to impart backspin - a rare experience for most of us.\n\nIn these conditions you have to be more aggressive with pitch and runs and chip shots because you will get little or no roll. Again, as the season progresses, that can only benefit your short game. You also have to hit putts harder to get them to the hole, knowing that your ball is not going to run 15 feet beyond the cup.\n\nThis is also the best time of year to experience millionaire’s golf. With so many people looking out the window and thinking better of it, the chances are that your course will be far quieter than normal, which means you almost certainly will not have to endure a five-hour round. Another bonus is that when the course is quiet, there is nothing to stop you chucking another ball down. And you don’t have to adhere to the three-minute rule when looking for your golf ball because you will not be holding anybody up.\n\nIf you are out there on your own at this time of year, you can even give yourself \"those\" putts that your opponents would normally make you hole out.\n\nIf you are a golfing nomad, at this time of year you will be able to find reduced green fees. What’s not to love about that?\n\nPerhaps best of all, by the time the rest of your fiends emerge from their annual hibernation, you will already have your eye in and will be in prime position to give them a right good pasting. You will also have been able to identify which items of equipment should be replaced. Remember that there will have been a rash of new clubs launched and that means that last year’s models will all have been reduced. You have the opportunity to steal a march on your mates.\n\n[Derek Clements](https:\/\/www.golfshake.com\/news\/author\/derek-clements\/) is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Reasons to start your golf season early
Meta Description	For many of us the golf season doesn’t really get going until the first shot is struck at The Masters at Augusta National. But if you are someone who goes into golfing hibernation until then, you are missing out on several benefits.
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Boilerpipe Text	For many of us the golf season doesn’t really get going until the first shot is struck at The Masters at Augusta National. As I'm sure you will all know by now, I am not one of those. I can understand why so many of you opt not to play during the cold, wet and miserable winter months. I play 12 months of the year and sometimes question both my own sanity and that of the guys I play with . It’s a time of year when you can never guarantee that you are going to be able to get out there. Spring is supposedly just around the corner but it still seems a long way off. Who Plays Golf in Winter? Do you ever question your sanity when it comes to playing golf at this time of year? Some of you tee off in near-darkness (what is that all about?), we all set off looking like Michelin men, wearing umpteen layers of clothing, sporting headgear we wouldn’t be seen dead in anywhere other than on a golf course. We come off the course with no feeling in our fingers, our trousers covered in mud and sludge . We hit perfect drives that travel no distance whatsoever. We lose golf balls in piles of leaves. We slip and slide all over the place. I don’t know about you but despite my best efforts the boot of my car closely resembles the civic tip! And we keep coming back for more. Golfers are indeed a very strange breed. But those of us who do it simply love it. If you are one of those who waits for Augusta before getting your clubs out of hibernation, I would urge you to think again. There are all sorts of good reasons for playing golf at this time of year. Why You Should Start The Golf Season Early ( Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography ) For a start, the days are getting longer, and that means we have more hours of daylight. It won’t be long before you will be able to finish your round in the evening and still be able to see the ball! Course conditions at this time of year tend to be pretty soggy. Now you may wonder how that can possibly be a good thing. Well, if you know that you are getting absolutely no roll on the ball you will quickly learn exactly how far you fly every club in the bag - and that is something that is going to help you enormously as things start to dry out. It is also fun to stand over an approach shot at this time of year and know that if you hit it anywhere near the flag then it is going to stop dead. Don’t forget to repair the massive pitchmark you will have left though! Bunker shots are easier to play from damp sand. It’s a fact. You don’t have to worry about taking sand - you can simply clip the ball off the top and an added bonus is that if you make decent contact then you are going to impart backspin - a rare experience for most of us. In these conditions you have to be more aggressive with pitch and runs and chip shots because you will get little or no roll. Again, as the season progresses, that can only benefit your short game. You also have to hit putts harder to get them to the hole, knowing that your ball is not going to run 15 feet beyond the cup. This is also the best time of year to experience millionaire’s golf. With so many people looking out the window and thinking better of it, the chances are that your course will be far quieter than normal, which means you almost certainly will not have to endure a five-hour round. Another bonus is that when the course is quiet, there is nothing to stop you chucking another ball down. And you don’t have to adhere to the three-minute rule when looking for your golf ball because you will not be holding anybody up. If you are out there on your own at this time of year, you can even give yourself "those" putts that your opponents would normally make you hole out. If you are a golfing nomad, at this time of year you will be able to find reduced green fees. What’s not to love about that? Perhaps best of all, by the time the rest of your fiends emerge from their annual hibernation, you will already have your eye in and will be in prime position to give them a right good pasting. You will also have been able to identify which items of equipment should be replaced. Remember that there will have been a rash of new clubs launched and that means that last year’s models will all have been reduced. You have the opportunity to steal a march on your mates. Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
Markdown	[×]() ### Top Links: [Our Services](https://www.golfshake.com/services/) [Get A Golf Handicap](https://www.golfshake.com/golfhandicap/) [Competitions](https://www.golfshake.com/competitions/) [Join or Login](https://www.golfshake.com/spread-the-love/) ### Course: [UK Golf Guide](https://www.golfshake.com/course/ukgolfguide/) \\| [Search](https://www.golfshake.com/course/search/) \\| [Travel](https://www.golfshake.com/travel/) ### News: [Latest](https://www.golfshake.com/news/) \\| [Gear](https://www.golfshake.com/news/gear/) \\| [Tour](https://www.golfshake.com/news/tourreviews/) \\| [Industry](https://www.golfshake.com/news/tag/industry-insider/) ### Tuition: [Golf Tuition](https://www.golfshake.com/improve/) \\| [Instruction Content](https://www.golfshake.com/improve/articles/) ### Golfshake: [Join](https://www.golfshake.com/spread-the-love/) \\| [Log In](https://www.golfshake.com/login/) \\| [Help](https://www.golfshake.com/help/) × [![](https://www.golfshake.com/styles/images/2015-GS-logo-330.jpg)](https://www.golfshake.com/ "Golfshake.com") [Join](https://www.golfshake.com/spread-the-love/) [Sign In](https://www.golfshake.com/login/) - [Home](https://www.golfshake.com/) - [Courses](https://www.golfshake.com/course/) - [News](https://www.golfshake.com/news/) - [Gear](https://www.golfshake.com/news/gear/) - [Tips](https://www.golfshake.com/improve/) - [Handicap](https://www.golfshake.com/golfhandicap/) - [Score Tracker](https://www.golfshake.com/golfscoretracker/) - [Our Services](https://www.golfshake.com/services/) - [Travel](https://www.golfshake.com/travel/) [![](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--1yCPSqNs--/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_970/v1775818701/partners/gb/2026/gran-canaria/569_-_Golfshake_banner_templates_-_640x93_GRANCANARIA.png)](https://www.golfbreaks.com/en-gb/holidays/gran-canaria/?utm_source=golfshake&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=grancanaria_march2026/#breaks) # Reasons to start your golf season early By: [Derek Clements](https://www.golfshake.com/news/author/derek-clements/) \\| Edited: Thu 26 Mar 2026 Share this article: [![](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--TFx8u4br--/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_16/v1736352813/assets/buttons/linkedin_network_linkedin_logo_icon.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=http://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22533/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html) [![](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--MHsPO2Gk--/c_scale,f_auto,h_16,q_auto,w_16/v1736352813/assets/buttons/x_twitter_new_logo_icon.png)](http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22533/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html) [![](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--46fmll0w--/c_scale,f_auto,h_16,q_auto,w_16/v1736352813/assets/buttons/facebook_facebook_logo_icon.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22533/Reasons_to_start_your_golf_season_early.html) * For many of us the golf season doesn’t really get going until the first shot is struck at The Masters at Augusta National. As I'm sure you will all know by now, I am not one of those. I can understand why so many of you opt not to play during the cold, wet and miserable winter months. I play 12 months of the year and [sometimes question both my own sanity and that of the guys I play with](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22368/Why_you_have_to_question_the_sanity_of_winter_golfers.html). It’s a time of year when you can never guarantee that you are going to be able to get out there. Spring is supposedly just around the corner but it still seems a long way off. ## Who Plays Golf in Winter? Do you ever question your sanity when it comes to playing golf at this time of year? Some of you tee off in near-darkness (what is that all about?), we all set off looking like Michelin men, wearing umpteen layers of clothing, sporting headgear we wouldn’t be seen dead in anywhere other than on a golf course. We come off the course with no feeling in our fingers, [our trousers covered in mud and sludge](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22491/When_will_golf_courses_finally_dry_out.html). We hit perfect drives that travel no distance whatsoever. We lose golf balls in piles of leaves. We slip and slide all over the place. I don’t know about you but despite my best efforts the boot of my car closely resembles the civic tip! And we keep coming back for more. Golfers are indeed a very strange breed. But those of us who do it simply love it. If you are one of those who waits for Augusta before getting your clubs out of hibernation, I would urge you to think again. There are all sorts of good reasons for playing golf at this time of year. ## Why You Should Start The Golf Season Early ![Playing Golf in Spring](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--MLwzGieq--/t_cms640/v1772197081/Golfshake_-_Golf_in_Spring_gwbl0j.jpg) ([Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography](https://kevindiss.com/)) For a start, the days are getting longer, and that means we have more hours of daylight. It won’t be long before you will be able to finish your round in the evening and still be able to see the ball\! Course conditions at this time of year tend to be pretty soggy. Now you may wonder how that can possibly be a good thing. Well, if you know that you are getting absolutely no roll on the ball you will quickly learn exactly how far you fly every club in the bag - and that is something that is going to help you enormously as things start to dry out. It is also fun to stand over an approach shot at this time of year and know that if you hit it anywhere near the flag then it is going to stop dead. Don’t forget to repair the massive pitchmark you will have left though\! Bunker shots are easier to play from damp sand. It’s a fact. You don’t have to worry about taking sand - you can simply clip the ball off the top and an added bonus is that if you make decent contact then you are going to impart backspin - a rare experience for most of us. In these conditions you have to be more aggressive with pitch and runs and chip shots because you will get little or no roll. Again, as the season progresses, that can only benefit your short game. You also have to hit putts harder to get them to the hole, knowing that your ball is not going to run 15 feet beyond the cup. This is also the best time of year to experience millionaire’s golf. With so many people looking out the window and thinking better of it, the chances are that your course will be far quieter than normal, which means you almost certainly will not have to endure a five-hour round. Another bonus is that when the course is quiet, there is nothing to stop you chucking another ball down. And you don’t have to adhere to the three-minute rule when looking for your golf ball because you will not be holding anybody up. If you are out there on your own at this time of year, you can even give yourself "those" putts that your opponents would normally make you hole out. If you are a golfing nomad, at this time of year you will be able to find reduced green fees. What’s not to love about that? Perhaps best of all, by the time the rest of your fiends emerge from their annual hibernation, you will already have your eye in and will be in prime position to give them a right good pasting. You will also have been able to identify which items of equipment should be replaced. Remember that there will have been a rash of new clubs launched and that means that last year’s models will all have been reduced. You have the opportunity to steal a march on your mates. * ### About the author ![DC](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--9xkZj8FX--/c_scale,h_125,w_125/v1611672858/assets/placements/dc.jpg) [Derek Clements](https://www.golfshake.com/news/author/derek-clements/) is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community. [![](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--MHsPO2Gk--/c_scale,f_auto,h_16,q_auto,w_16/v1736352813/assets/buttons/x_twitter_new_logo_icon.png)](https://x.com/derekclem1)[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--5oj1RYSE--/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_16/v1760534853/assets/buttons/instagram-1-64.png)](https://www.instagram.com/derekclements182) * * ## Latest News [![Spectacular new Scottish golf course to open in May 2026]()](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22680/Spectacular_new_Scottish_golf_course_to_open_in_May_2026.html) [Spectacular new Scottish golf course to open in May 2026](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22680/Spectacular_new_Scottish_golf_course_to_open_in_May_2026.html) [![Rory McIlroy's success highlights island of Ireland as a golf destination]()](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22679/Rory_McIlroys_success_highlights_island_of_Ireland_as_a_golf_destination.html) [Rory McIlroy's success highlights island of Ireland as a golf destination](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22679/Rory_McIlroys_success_highlights_island_of_Ireland_as_a_golf_destination.html) [![The best new irons for high handicap golfers]()](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22678/The_best_new_irons_for_high_handicap_golfers.html) [The best new irons for high handicap golfers](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22678/The_best_new_irons_for_high_handicap_golfers.html) [![What next for Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau after dismal Masters?]()](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22677/What_next_for_Jon_Rahm_and_Bryson_DeChambeau_after_dismal_Masters.html) [What next for Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau after dismal Masters?](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22677/What_next_for_Jon_Rahm_and_Bryson_DeChambeau_after_dismal_Masters.html) [![Rory McIlroy's next chapter might be his greatest yet]()](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22676/Rory_McIlroys_next_chapter_might_be_his_greatest_yet.html) [Rory McIlroy's next chapter might be his greatest yet](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22676/Rory_McIlroys_next_chapter_might_be_his_greatest_yet.html) [![Is Rory McIlroy the best European golfer of all time?]()](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22675/Is_Rory_McIlroy_the_best_European_golfer_of_all_time.html) [Is Rory McIlroy the best European golfer of all time?](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22675/Is_Rory_McIlroy_the_best_European_golfer_of_all_time.html) [![RBC Heritage 2026 preview, picks & analysis]()](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22674/RBC_Heritage_2026_preview_picks_analysis.html) [RBC Heritage 2026 preview, picks & analysis](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22674/RBC_Heritage_2026_preview_picks_analysis.html) [![Rory McIlroy proves that patience is the key to winning at Augusta National]()](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22673/Rory_McIlroy_proves_that_patience_is_the_key_to_winning_at_Augusta_National.html) [Rory McIlroy proves that patience is the key to winning at Augusta National](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22673/Rory_McIlroy_proves_that_patience_is_the_key_to_winning_at_Augusta_National.html) ### Content [Golf Tuition](https://www.golfshake.com/improve/) [Tuition Series](https://www.golfshake.com/improve/playbetter/) [Golf News](https://www.golfshake.com/news/) [Golf Gear](https://www.golfshake.com/news/gear/) [Forum Archive](https://www.golfshake.com/forums/) ### Golf Courses [Golf Course Directory](https://www.golfshake.com/course/) [UK Golf Courses](https://www.golfshake.com/course/ukgolfguide/) [Top 100s](https://www.golfshake.com/course/top100/) [Must Play](https://www.golfshake.com/course/mustplay/) [Search for Golf Courses](https://www.golfshake.com/course/search/map/) ### Editor Picks [Gear News](https://www.golfshake.com/news/gear/) [Weekly Tour News](https://www.golfshake.com/news/tourreviews/) [Industry News](https://www.golfshake.com/news/industry/) [Competitions](https://www.golfshake.com/competitions/) [Golf Resources](https://www.golfshake.com/resource/) ### Site Help [Site Help](https://www.golfshake.com/help/) [Rating & Reviews](https://www.golfshake.com/ratings/) [Get a Golf Handicap](https://www.golfshake.com/golfhandicap/) [Golfscoretracker](https://www.golfshake.com/golfscoretracker/) [Stat Tracking Cards](https://www.golfshake.com/services/round-recorder/) ### Company [Golfshake Services](https://www.golfshake.com/services/) [Advertise](https://www.golfshake.com/advertising/) [Jobs/Ambassadors](https://www.golfshake.com/jobs/) [About Us](https://www.golfshake.com/about-us/) [Terms, Cookies & Privacy](https://www.golfshake.com/terms/) ## Golfshake.com - Play More. 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Readable Markdown	For many of us the golf season doesn’t really get going until the first shot is struck at The Masters at Augusta National. As I'm sure you will all know by now, I am not one of those. I can understand why so many of you opt not to play during the cold, wet and miserable winter months. I play 12 months of the year and [sometimes question both my own sanity and that of the guys I play with](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22368/Why_you_have_to_question_the_sanity_of_winter_golfers.html). It’s a time of year when you can never guarantee that you are going to be able to get out there. Spring is supposedly just around the corner but it still seems a long way off. ## Who Plays Golf in Winter? Do you ever question your sanity when it comes to playing golf at this time of year? Some of you tee off in near-darkness (what is that all about?), we all set off looking like Michelin men, wearing umpteen layers of clothing, sporting headgear we wouldn’t be seen dead in anywhere other than on a golf course. We come off the course with no feeling in our fingers, [our trousers covered in mud and sludge](https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/22491/When_will_golf_courses_finally_dry_out.html). We hit perfect drives that travel no distance whatsoever. We lose golf balls in piles of leaves. We slip and slide all over the place. I don’t know about you but despite my best efforts the boot of my car closely resembles the civic tip! And we keep coming back for more. Golfers are indeed a very strange breed. But those of us who do it simply love it. If you are one of those who waits for Augusta before getting your clubs out of hibernation, I would urge you to think again. There are all sorts of good reasons for playing golf at this time of year. ## Why You Should Start The Golf Season Early ![Playing Golf in Spring](https://res.cloudinary.com/golfshake/image/upload/s--MLwzGieq--/t_cms640/v1772197081/Golfshake_-_Golf_in_Spring_gwbl0j.jpg) ([Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography](https://kevindiss.com/)) For a start, the days are getting longer, and that means we have more hours of daylight. It won’t be long before you will be able to finish your round in the evening and still be able to see the ball\! Course conditions at this time of year tend to be pretty soggy. Now you may wonder how that can possibly be a good thing. Well, if you know that you are getting absolutely no roll on the ball you will quickly learn exactly how far you fly every club in the bag - and that is something that is going to help you enormously as things start to dry out. It is also fun to stand over an approach shot at this time of year and know that if you hit it anywhere near the flag then it is going to stop dead. Don’t forget to repair the massive pitchmark you will have left though\! Bunker shots are easier to play from damp sand. It’s a fact. You don’t have to worry about taking sand - you can simply clip the ball off the top and an added bonus is that if you make decent contact then you are going to impart backspin - a rare experience for most of us. In these conditions you have to be more aggressive with pitch and runs and chip shots because you will get little or no roll. Again, as the season progresses, that can only benefit your short game. You also have to hit putts harder to get them to the hole, knowing that your ball is not going to run 15 feet beyond the cup. This is also the best time of year to experience millionaire’s golf. With so many people looking out the window and thinking better of it, the chances are that your course will be far quieter than normal, which means you almost certainly will not have to endure a five-hour round. Another bonus is that when the course is quiet, there is nothing to stop you chucking another ball down. And you don’t have to adhere to the three-minute rule when looking for your golf ball because you will not be holding anybody up. If you are out there on your own at this time of year, you can even give yourself "those" putts that your opponents would normally make you hole out. If you are a golfing nomad, at this time of year you will be able to find reduced green fees. What’s not to love about that? Perhaps best of all, by the time the rest of your fiends emerge from their annual hibernation, you will already have your eye in and will be in prime position to give them a right good pasting. You will also have been able to identify which items of equipment should be replaced. Remember that there will have been a rash of new clubs launched and that means that last year’s models will all have been reduced. You have the opportunity to steal a march on your mates. [Derek Clements](https://www.golfshake.com/news/author/derek-clements/) is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
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