Walking more than nine kilometres on a slushy golf course might not be your idea of fun but a monsoon downpour, freezing temperatures nor a blazing sun can keep some golfers away from their weekly round.

I have played more than 100 rounds in the rain and many times my club slipped from my hand as I was getting drenched. Despite this, I still like to play in the rain or other extreme weather because I take it as a challenge.

These days, most good courses are built with very efficient drainage systems, which makes them playable even during a monsoon downpour or in extreme weather, no more than an hour after the rain stops falling. Those without such a system are usually compelled to close down during heavy rains.

To be honest, playing during a monsoon rain is especially hard. You get irritated searching for your balls embedded in the wet ground or hidden in the tall, dripping grass. Players duff more shots and are constantly struggling to keep their club grips and gloves dry so the clubs don't slip from their hand. Even with the help of a caddy, umbrella and a rain cover for my golf bag, I have a really hard time keeping my equipment dry.

It is also not easy to swing a club wearing a rain suit and a real challenge to maintain an even tempo to your game in wild weather. Even world no one Tiger Woods shot 10 over par (his worst ever score in his pro career) during the rainy third round of the British Open in 2002.

But we can't complain. Compared to most other places, Nepal offers the ideal golf climate. We can confidently say that we have a 12-month golf season because neither the winter nor the rainy season is so harsh as to confine the hardcore players indoors. So why not take advantage of our perfect weather to enjoy this fabulous sport?

Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at Le Meridien Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected]