For golfers across the northern U.S. and Canada, summer’s arrival is nothing short of a holiday. After enduring long months of off-season hibernation, from the snowdrifts of Minnesota to the frosty mornings in Ontario, it’s finally time to dust off those clubs. In many of these regions, the golf season doesn’t properly kick off until spring and typically wraps up by late fall, which means local courses often shut down entirely during the deep winter. That long layoff leaves golfers feeling cooped up, counting down the days until the fairways thaw. But take heart: summer is here. The sun is out, the grass is green, and golf weather is back in full swing, inviting us all to return to the course we love.
From Winter Blues to Summer Greens
When you live in a place with harsh winters you know the winter golf blues all too well. The clubs sit in the garage gathering dust while you shovel snow off the driveway. Sure, a few die-hards might bundle up for a chilly round or sneak off to a simulator lounge in January, but for most of us, golfing in a blizzard just isn’t practical. (Some savvy golfers did embrace indoor practice; the Minneapolis area, for example, saw lesson demand soar over 321% thanks to indoor simulators keeping the game alive during winter!). Still, as useful as indoor golf is, it’s just not the same as the real thing. There’s a special kind of cabin fever that sets in for golfers around February, a restless itch to swing a club outdoors, feel turf under our feet, and see a ball soar against a blue sky. We find ourselves daydreaming about lush fairways and perfecting our swing in the living room. By March, many are putting on the carpet or hitting foam balls in the backyard, just trying to stay sane.
Come April and May, the first hints of spring tease us. Perhaps you caught the Masters on TV and felt simultaneously inspired and tortured, the azaleas in full bloom at Augusta while your local course was still thawing out. But finally, the wait is over. Summer arrives, and with it, green fairways and open tee sheets. It’s like emerging from hibernation. Those winter blues fade into memory as you step onto grass that’s vibrantly alive again. All the pent-up energy from the off-season suddenly turns into pure excitement. You’re like a kid on the last day of school, only your playground is 6,500 yards of course, and you’ve been waiting all year to get back on it.
The First Tee Shot of Summer: Joy and Renewal
That first tee shot on a warm June morning is pure bliss. You arrive at the course for an early tee time, greeted by dew on the fairways and a bright, gentle sun climbing the sky. The whole landscape seems to sparkle. Take a deep breath, the air is cool and carries that unmistakable smell of freshly cut grass, one of the sweetest scents a golfer can know. In fact, hardly any other sport puts you in touch with nature as much as golf: the beautiful landscape, the aroma of fresh grass, the sound of birds chirping, it’s the perfect escape into relaxation. Standing on the tee box, you feel all your winter worries melt away.
You tee up your ball on that sun-drenched tee box, take a few waggles, and let it rip. Whack! Even if it’s not your best drive ever, it doesn’t matter, it feels amazing just to swing freely outdoors again. The ball is off, arcing into the blue. You shield your eyes to watch it, heart thumping with that familiar adrenaline. As one golf lover famously wrote, golf is about “smellin’ heather and cut grass and walkin’ fast across the countryside and feelin’ the wind... and seein’ yer friends hit good shots and hittin’ some yerself. It’s love and it’s feelin’ the splendor o’ this good world.” On this first round of summer, every bit of that splendor is on full display. The fairway ahead looks like heaven, and you can’t help but grin ear to ear. After months cooped up inside, there’s joy in simply watching your ball roll on green grass. You pick up your tee, sling your driver back in the bag, and stride off into the fairway feeling reborn as a golfer.
Sights, Sounds, and Smells We Missed All Winter
Morning light and long shadows: There’s something magical about those early summer tee times. The sun casts long, golden shadows, and everything from the flagsticks to the trees looks photogenic. It’s a far cry from the dim, short winter days.
The aroma of the course: That fresh-cut fairway smell deserves another mention, it’s that good. Mix in a hint of pine or wildflowers from around the course, and it’s aromatherapy for any golfer’s soul.
The sound of nature and golf: Instead of silence or howling winter winds, you now hear birds singing and maybe the distant splash of a sprinkler. Even the thwack of a well-struck ball or the rattle of a ball dropping in the cup are sounds we dearly missed.
Warm breezes on the greens: No need for hand warmers or three layers of clothing. A gentle warm breeze accompanies you on the green as you line up your putt, and it feels absolutely glorious.
These are the moments and sensations that remind us why we love this game. It’s not just about the score, it’s the experience of being out there. Summer brings those experiences back in abundance.
Reuniting with Friends on the Fairway
Golf isn’t only a solo affair; it’s a social sport, and summer reunites golfing buddies who’ve been in winter exile. Think about that first round back with your regular foursome or friends you haven’t seen since last October. The group chat that’s been dormant all winter suddenly lights up in May: “Looks like 7 AM tee times are back on, who’s in this Saturday?!” Cue the flurry of excited responses and GIFs of golfers swinging. Before you know it, your weekend mornings are booked with golf outings once again.
There’s a special camaraderie in those sunrise tee times. You and your friends roll into the parking lot at dawn, coffees in hand, joking that you’re out of practice (and maybe out of shape). The clubhouse buzzes with hellos and laughter as everyone recognizes familiar faces. On the first tee, you all share that giddy feeling, a mix of trash-talk and genuine happiness to be back together. Mulligans are generously granted (it’s the first round, after all!), and no one minds the occasional errant shot. You’re too busy catching up: How was the winter? Did anyone sneak off to a warm golf destination? Whose swing is feeling rusty? The banter and friendly jabs pick up right where they left off last season.
As the round progresses, there are high-fives for good shots and good-natured groans for missed putts. Maybe someone miraculously sank a long birdie putt on #7, prompting cheers that echo down the fairway. Maybe by the back nine, you’re all a bit tired but content, swapping stories or making gentle bets on the 18th hole. The smell of the fairway, the sound of your buddy’s driver finding the sweet spot, the sight of your friends scattered on the green lining up putts, these little things make golf with friends in summer so special. It feels like a reunion not just with people, but with a cherished lifestyle. After months apart, your golf group is back, and the course has become your weekend clubhouse again. Summer has rekindled those friendships exactly where they thrive, out on the links, first thing in the morning, with the sun on your backs.
Summer Surge: Golf Fever by the Numbers
If it seems like everyone is flocking back to the course as soon as the weather warms, that’s because they are, and the data proves it. At TeachMe.To, we see a dramatic spike in golf activity once summer hits. In fact, our year-over-year booking trend data shows that lesson booking volume jumps over 1000% from the quiet lull of January to the height of June. Yes, over 1000%! The demand for golf absolutely explodes as the seasons change. Think about it: in January, many golfers up north are either hibernating or practicing in indoor domes, but by June, they’re all out on actual courses, eager to improve their game. That translates into packed tee sheets at local clubs and a flood of lesson bookings with instructors.
It’s not just a small uptick, it’s a surge. Our internal numbers confirm what every golfer in a cold climate feels: summer is golf season, and we make the most of it. Even major metro areas known for brutal winters see this resurgence. TeachMe.To’s data from 2024 highlighted that places like Washington, DC and New York City had some of the highest growth in lesson bookings, pretty remarkable for regions that snowed under just a few months prior. It goes to show that golfers in seasonal climates come roaring back once Mother Nature gives the green light. Courses that were empty in December fill up in June. Weekend tournaments, charity outings, golf leagues, all the activity that paused for winter comes back tenfold. Clubs hire extra staff for the summer crush, and instructors’ calendars book out with students desperate to shake off the rust.
This summer golf fever isn’t just anecdotal; you can measure it. Maybe it’s a psychological boost, absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all. Or maybe it’s simply that golfers have been bottling up their enthusiasm and the first nice day uncorks it like champagne. Whatever the reason, the trend is clear: summer brings people back to the sport en masse. If you’ve been feeling that itch to play again, you’re not alone, thousands of others are right there with you, polishing their irons and heading to the range. Golf season is in full swing, and it’s glorious to be a part of it.
Embrace the Summer Golf Comeback (and Keep It Going)
All these stories and stats boil down to one thing: a love for golf that never truly goes away, even when winter forces a timeout. Summer just reignites it. The days are long, the greens are calling, and there’s no better time to be a golfer. So what are you waiting for? Dust off your clubs, call up your friends, and get back out on the course now that the weather permits. The feeling of that first drive, the camaraderie of a round with pals, the beauty of a sun-soaked course, they’re all yours for the taking.
And as you dive into the season, remember that a little preparation can go a long way. If you’re looking to shake off the off-season rust or take your skills to the next level, consider booking a one-on-one lesson with a pro coach through TeachMe.To to sharpen your game. After months away, even a quick refresher or some fine-tuning of your swing can boost your confidence on the course. Our instructors are seeing the summer rush of eager students, and they’re ready to help you play your best golf. It’s a great way to invest in your skills while the passion is high, and maybe finally fix that slice that crept back over the winter!
Finally, if by some cruel twist your local weather is still not ideal (we know some springs can be stubbornly cold or rainy up north), don’t let that stop you. You can always book an indoor lesson or simulator session through TeachMe.To to get your fix. As we saw in places like Minneapolis, golfers who embraced indoor practice stayed engaged year-round, so you have options even if the sun hasn’t fully cooperated yet. The key is, whether outdoors or indoors, keep that golf spirit alive.
Summer is here, golf season is back, and it feels like coming home. There’s a whole lot of golf to be played between now and when the leaves fall. Enjoy every minute of it, every drive, every putt, every post-round beverage on the patio. This is what we’ve been waiting for. So get out there and make up for lost time on the fairways. And if you need a little help along the way, you know where to find us. Here’s to fresh-cut fairways, early tee times with friends, and the beautiful resurgence of the game we love. See you on the course! ⛳️
Ready to tee off? Book your next 1:1 lesson (outdoor or indoor) with a TeachMe.To coach and make this summer your best golf season yet. Let’s swing into action!
