Is summer golf in the desert actually insane or am I just stubborn

[HoleInOne_Holly]

Played TPC Scottsdale last Saturday. Teed off at 5:52am, temp was already 91. By the time we made the turn it was 108 and my glove felt like I'd pulled it out of a swamp.

Here's the thing though. I'd do it again tomorrow. The course was empty, we played in 3 hours 40, and the greens were rolling so fast they were basically glass. Balls were flying maybe 8-10 yards longer than my normal numbers because the fairways are baked out and everything runs. Hit a 7 iron on 12 that I normally fly 155 and it went 168 with rollout. Felt like a hero for about four minutes until I three putted from 15 feet.

Everyone tells me I'm nuts. My buddy from Chicago literally asked if I was trying to die. But honestly the tradeoff is worth it, cheap rates, no waiting on every tee box, and nobody chirping at me to hurry up. The downside is you have to basically mainline water and I've started bringing a cooler with those electrolyte popsicles, which sounds ridiculous until you're on 15 and your hands are shaking.

I will say the one thing that broke me last summer was walking. Cart only in July and August, no shame in it. Some guy tried to walk 18 in July and I saw him sitting in the shade under a palo verde tree on 7 looking like he'd seen things.

So is anyone else out there grinding through desert summer golf, or do you all pack it in from June to September and play in San Diego like sensible people? And if you do play in it, what's your hydration situation, because I'm always looking for upgrades.