There are huge challenges facing all golfers during the winter; soggy fairways, high winds, overgrown rough and temporary greens just to mention a few. In order to battle through the adversity here a few things to bear in mind when setting out on the course.

You will struggle to get as much out of your ball as you would during other times of the year. Dense winter air and cold conditions will prevent the ball traveling as far so it's important that you store your balls at room temperature and warm them up before each round.

Astonishingly the inner core of every golf ball will harden in the cold and won't compress or behave in the same way, taking away from distance and consistency. Heat them up gently on a radiator before going out and keep a couple in your pocket, which you can exchange between holes, ensuring that each ball is at its optimal temperature.

It is also better to use a lower compression ball during the winter as they won't seize up as much as a higher compression tour ball. Lower compression balls also generate higher trajectories which is preferable when the fairways are wet and balls tend to plug more easily. It is better to gain your distance in the air as you are unlikely to get any roll off the fairways.

This counts even more when the wind is in your favour, so remember to check on each tee for wind direction. Be sure not to rely on blades of grass but rather the tops of trees, as the wind is stronger above tree height.

When approaching the tee it is worth teeing the ball a little higher to prevent any mishits off thicker wet grass. When the wind is against you it is a good idea to take a lower lofted driver which provides better ball penetration against the wind. Otherwise again use it to your advantage and maybe choose a fairway wood in order to reap the rewards.

On the fairways always make sure to take advantage of 'winter rules'. You are allowed to pick, clean and place your ball no closer to the hole (depending on the local rules and guidelines). As well as keeping your ball clean you must make sure to clean your clubs throughout the round. After each soggy contact ensure that you wipe the clubface down with a towel and if necessary use a tee to clean the muck out of the ridges in your irons.

As your ball won't travel as far it is always better to take too much club rather than not enough. Always opt for a club up when in doubt as the wet greens will hold shots better allowing you to be aggressive.

From the rough it is often better to use a higher lofted club when in danger. This may not get you as far but it does make it easier to slice through the thick wet rough and give you a chance on the next shot.

Around the greens you may want to choose to chip and run the ball instead of lofting your chips and potentially mishitting through the waterlogged turf. This is definitely true in wet bunkers where a blade style lob wedge can come in handy. Instead of opening your stance it is better to close your hands and hit though the ball as normal.

A thin LW won't bounce as much but rather dig into, and follow through, the sand gently lofting the ball onto the green.

Winter greens can be tricky. Choose the right putter and be aggressive. Choosing a putter with a metal, hotter face, will give you a more powerful roll and better chance of reaching the hole. For long putts or fringe putting it is best to have a forward press on you grip to reduce the minimal loft of the putter.

This will also put forward roll on the ball which will hold the line and power the ball through the majority of the long grass.

During the winter months it is always best to play conservatively, take the penalties you will inevitably receive because of the conditions and always remember the spring isn't far away.