Sunlight might seem like a simple factor, but it significantly impacts visibility, course conditions, and your ability to read greens. Understanding how sunlight affects your game helps you make better decisions on the course and manage your mental game more effectively.
Clear, bright sunlight provides excellent visibility for your shots. You can see the target clearly, read the fairway, and judge distances more accurately. Overcast conditions reduce visibility and can make it harder to judge distances and see hazards clearly.
Playing into the sun is particularly challenging. The glare can make it difficult to see your target, and you might misjudge distances. Many golfers play more conservatively when facing into the sun, opting for safer shots rather than aggressive plays.
Sunlight angle dramatically affects how you read greens. Early morning sun creates long shadows that can help you see break in the greens. Midday sun from directly overhead makes break harder to read. Late afternoon sun at a low angle can create shadows that either help or hinder your green reading depending on the direction.
Professional golfers pay close attention to sun position when reading putts. They'll position themselves to get the best angle for seeing the break. On overcast days, break is often harder to read, so many golfers rely more on their experience and feel.
Sunlight warms the course, affecting how it plays. In the morning, the course is cooler and firmer. As the day progresses and the sun warms the ground, the course becomes softer and more receptive. This means afternoon rounds often play softer than morning rounds, even on the same day.
The sun also affects how quickly the course dries after rain. A course that's unplayable in the morning might be playable by afternoon if the sun comes out.
Check out our complete weather guide for more insights. Also visit our putting tips for techniques to improve your green reading.