Golf Custodian

 February might be a quieter month for golf enthusiasts along the East Coast, except for those lucky ones soaking up the sun in Southern Florida. Weather patterns vary from Jacksonville through the Carolinas, with mild conditions but occasional showers in Coastal South Carolina. Despite the soggy winter, it’s a great time for golf and range practice. Coastal South Carolina boasts mild temperatures, with average highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and lows in the 40s. When the Midday sun is bright, coastal South Carolina is nearly perfect for outdoor activity.

 As a caddie, the off-season means relying on “requests” to make ends meet. Peak season hits during the shoulder months, particularly in fall and spring, notably October and April. It’s astonishing to witness the influx of golfers during peak seasons, with courses bustling beyond imagination. The pre-pandemic and post-pandemic scenarios paint different pictures of busyness.

 Since 2020, the Carolinas and much of the South have experienced exponential growth, leading to a generational shift in migration. Consequently, courses and other businesses have had to play catch-up to meet the demand. What used to be a manageable busy season has transformed, with sell-outs occurring seven days a week for courses in decent shape. Masters Week and Easter mark the peak of Southern golf, where everything from cocktails to clothing matches the festive mood of April.

 By the second week of June, the wealthy migrate to their mountain retreats or head north, leaving Long Island as the epicenter of summer East Coast golf. Middle-class families plan vacations to escape the heat, while the resilient few endure the Southern summer, playing exclusively during the cooler early morning and twilight hours.

 Winter brings a different rhythm. Sun chasers flock to Southern Florida, escaping the cold in their migratory journey. It’s remarkable how many people traverse from the northeast and Canada to the Carolinas or coastal Georgia during shoulder months, only to retreat to Southern Florida for the peak of winter. Some indulge in luxury retreats like the Hamptons, Sea Island, or Palm Beach, while others opt for RV trips, enjoying public golf courses. Unlike summer, more golfers linger for winter golf in Coastal Carolinas, thanks to the tolerable temperatures.