How Much Distance is Lost in Cold Weather? It has been proven that golf balls lose in average between 1 and 2 yards with every 10 degrees drop in the temperature. That goes from around 2 yards loss per 10 degrees with the driver down to around 1 yard loss with the pitching wedge.
Full Answer
How does cold weather affect golf balls?
Apr 10, 2022 · You can use the below as a guideline to estimate how much distance you will lose with cold weather. For every 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) drop in temperature, the ball will lose 2 yards of carrying. Below 40 degrees, the ball speed will decrease, and so will carry distance. You can get anywhere between five to ten yards on your carry distance.
Does warm golf ball travel further than cold golf ball?
Nov 01, 2019 · And to make matters worse, the cold means less compression and therefore even further loss of distance. So how do you calculate the change in performance? It’s actually quite easy. The optimum temperature for golf balls is around 23 degrees and for every 10 degrees below, you’ll lose about two yards of distance.
What is the best winter golf ball?
Jan 14, 2020 · He determined that for golfers who hit their drives about 250 yards (with a ball speed of about 150 mph), they will lose about two yards on their drives for every 10 degree drop in temperature. On...
How much less does golf ball fly in cold temperature?
Dec 14, 2020 · Thanks to the cold firming up compression, it’s not surprising our cold ball 7-iron and wedge numbers showed 500-700rpm extra backspin over their cosy warm counterparts, too. The colder balls also flew on average 8% lower, which of course reduces stopping power when shots hit the green. RELATED: Revealed – The best golf ball for your game
How much does cold air affect a golf ball?
According to Titleist research, a golfer will experience an approximately 1.5 percent drop in distance for every 20 degree drop in temperature. If you carry your driver 250 yards, that 1.5 percent drop equates to 3.75 yards.Dec 1, 2021
Does cold weather affect golf balls?
The answer is yes, and it's really a combination of physics and meteorology. A golf ball will travel less distance in colder temperatures for two reasons. First, when the golf ball and golf club are colder, the transfer of energy is not as efficient, so the ball speed will be less.Sep 3, 2020
How much distance do you lose with a golf ball in cold weather?
Cold air is denser than warm air and creates additional drag on a ball. According to Trackman, the difference is approximately one yard of carry for every 10-degree change in temperature. So theoretically, you're looking at a loss of four yards if you're playing in 40 degrees as opposed to 80 degrees.Nov 13, 2018
Does temperature affect the bounce of a golf ball?
The greater elasticity that an object may obtain when it gets hot causes the ball to compress more, causing it to bounce higher and rebound more. We discovered that the warmer a golf ball is, the further it will travel when struck.
Does freezing damage golf balls?
It is certainly not a good idea to hit a ball when it is at freezing temperatures, because this will not only cause damage to the ball but probably the club as well, never mind the potential damage to your body if you are not warmed up properly.
Is cold weather bad for golf clubs?
Can you store golf clubs in the cold? Even if you live in a region with cold weather, though lower temperatures aren't as damaging as heat, it can still cause grips to dry out and crack.
What affects golf ball distance?
Altitude, or elevation, and wind have the greatest and most apparent effect on golf ball distance. Every 1,000 feet above sea level a golf course sits, a golfer can expect their ball to travel approximately 2 percent farther.Feb 21, 2020
What is the longest golf ball in cold weather?
Therefore, you need something well-made and lasts longer, like the TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball. These TaylorMade balls have a three-piece construction. The first layer is made of 100% tour cast urethane....Product Specifications:BrandTaylorMadeConstructions3 piecesNumber of Dimples3223 more rows•Jan 7, 2022
Do golf balls lose distance with use?
If even longer, permanent damage can occur to the golf ball. The primary effect will be losing driving distance. If a 2-piece ball spends about a week submerged under water it can lose nearly six yards of carry and roll. If it is underwater for three months it will lose about three more yards.Jun 19, 2020
How do I keep my golf balls warm in cold weather?
The tips section of Golfsmith's website offers advice on how to keep golf balls warm, including putting a towel in the bottom of a pot of two quarts of water, bringing the water to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about the temp of really hot tap water), leave them in there for 30 minutes and then dry them and place them in an ...Feb 26, 2013
Are 20 year old golf balls still good?
So keep your balls in a cool, dry place and they will last for awhile. The golf ball researchers at Titleist state, "Today's Titleist golf balls can be safely stored for five years or even more, as long as they are kept away from excessive heat. ... Normal indoor conditions should be fine for storage."
What golf ball should I use in cold weather?
Low compression: When it's cold, a softer ball with low compression will provide a better feel at impact. They are good golf balls for cold weather. Softer compression balls compress more in the cold and have a good chance of flying slightly longer than harder golf balls.Jan 20, 2022
So how does cold weather affect golf balls?
As the temperature continues to come down, the air becomes denser meaning shots are more affected by friction and drag. As a result, you can expect less travel from your usually reliable premium ball. And to make matters worse, the cold means less compression and therefore even further loss of distance.
What can you do to prevent this?
A key thing is to make sure you are keeping your golf balls warm between rounds. Storing them in a car boot or unheated garage will mean they will be cold before you even start your round. And that means more distance lost.
How many yards do you lose on a golf drive?
He determined that for golfers who hit their drives about 250 yards (with a ball speed of about 150 mph), they will lose about two yards on their drives for every 10 degree drop in temperature. On the flip side, golfers will gain about two yards on their drives for every 10 degree rise in temperature. The distance increase/decrease will decrease ...
Is golf open in the offseason?
The general rule of thumb in golf courses during the offseason is that if there’ s not snow or frost on the ground, the course is open . The trade off? You’ll probably have to play in some rather frigid temperatures. And that cold weather can have a small but significant effect on your game.
Meet our Cold vs Warm Golf Balls tester
TG Test Pro Neil Wain (below) is a highly-experience PGA Professional based at Keele Golf Centre in Staffordshire. For added consistency we work with Neil on all of our golf club and ball tests.
How we performed our Cold vs Warm Golf Balls test
We wanted to see the difference between driver, iron and wedge performance when using a cold golf ball, so delivered three dozen premium (urethane covered) balls to Neil cold (but not frozen) and a further three dozen balls hot. All balls were the same make and model.
What our Cold vs Warm Golf Balls test revealed
If you leave your golf bag in the car overnight, our numbers should be enough to convince you that your golf balls should be tucked up warm and cosy inside.
How does cold weather affect golf ball travel?
When the temperature decreases by 20°F you can expect a 1 – 2 yard decrease in distance for every 100 yards in a shot. Other factors like wind, rain and snow will affect the distance a golf ball travels more than temperature.
Why does a cold golf ball drag?
This is because the temperature of cold air is denser than warm air. When a cold club comes into contact with a cold golf ball, drag will be experienced. The cooler energy affects the distance and speed when a golf ball is hit.
What factors affect the distance a golf ball travels?
Other factors like wind, rain and snow will affect the distance a golf ball travels more than temperature. However, advanced players will take into account the amount of humidity in the air, and how cold conditions are.
Why does my golf ball curve?
Mud causes friction and added weight which results in the ball travelling less yards. Not known by your everyday golfer, mud stuck on golf balls will cause the ball to curve. A small amount of mud will cause the ball to curve in the opposite direction. Things are different when a ball has a larger piece of mud.
Why do golf balls travel shorter distances?
Both cold and warm golf balls will travel shorter distances than normal. This is because materials in the golf ball change properties. This temperature change results in reduced shot velocity, especially during the initial lift off of a golf shot. Keep in mind there is a caveat here.
How long should I keep my golf balls in the pocket?
Before any game, I recommend you keep your balls stored indoors at room temperature for as long as possible. If it’s the course temperature is cold, keeping one ball inside your pocket will help increase the ball temperature to a more optimal level .
Can a golf ball travel in hot weather?
Yes a golf ball will travel farther in hot and humid weather. You can expect your golf ball to fly through the air an extra 1-2 yards (per 100 yards) in a warmer environment. Humidity creates an ideal temperature for a golf ball to travel a longer distance. The reason for the extra yards is simply because warm air is lighter than cold air.
Why are golf balls not as effective in cold weather?
During cold weather, high-compression golf balls are not as effect or efficient because they are more difficult to compress. If you are playing golf in temperatures below 60 degrees F or 15 degrees C, I recommend a lower compression ball or a high-compression ball designed for colder temperatures. Ball flight is a challenge in cold temperatures.
What temperature should a golf ball be in cold weather?
The optimum temperature for a golf ball is 80 degrees. As a ball’s temperature drops, it won’t compress as much off the clubface.
Why is it important to store golf balls at room temperature?
As a ball’s temperature drops, it won’t compress as much off the clubface. For maximum playability, store the balls at room temperature. Compression of the golf ball is a key fundamental to hitting the long ball. “The golf ball is compressed and flattened by the force of the impact. The lower compression of the ball results in the ball;
Why is the air thicker in golf?
As golfers, we say the air is thicker. This thicker are makes it harder for the ball to travel in the air because it has to push its way through more resistance.
Is ball flight cold or hot?
Ball flight is a challenge in cold temperatures. As an ex-aircraft technician, I understand the theory of flight. Although cold temperature helps an aircraft take-off sooner; the same cold temperature shortens the your ball flight.
Why do you need a lower compression golf ball?
It is a common practice to switch to a lower compression ball in colder weather because the compression supposedly decreases in cold temperatures.
Which Wilson Duo is the lowest compression ball?
We chose to test the Wilson Duo and Titleist Pro V1 balls. The Wilson Duo was chosen because it is one of the lowest compression balls on the market. The Titleist Pro V1 was chosen because it is an exceptionally popular ball and represents a very common middle compression used.
When does it Become Cold for a Golf Ball?
The air density is a major reason golf balls don’t perform the same in winter months. To put it in scientific words when the temperature is higher, the molecules that make up the air move faster which means they create less air resistance towards objects. Then the air is less dense.
How Much Distance is Lost in Cold Weather?
It has been proven that golf balls lose in average between 1 and 2 yards with every 10 degrees drop in the temperature. That goes from around 2 yards loss per 10 degrees with the driver down to around 1 yard loss with the pitching wedge. It also works the other way around, meaning a 1 to 2 yards gain per 10 degrees warmer weather.
Prepare for a Round in Cold Weather
If you do decide to play golf in winter time, just like I do, below are some tips on how to prepare for a round.
Some Recommanded Balls for Cold Weather
If you want to switch golf balls for the winter season, here are some recommended balls for cold weather:
Be Always Ready
Golf is fun to play no matter what season you get out on the course. If you are a golf enthusiast, there is nothing that will keep you away, but you should be always ready. There is one more option when it comes to ball choice, and that is to play with the same ball all year around.
What is the biggest impact on golf ball flight?
Wind and altitude have a much larger impact on your ball flight, and for most golfers wind is really the culprit. The other culprit is honesty. Most golfers aren’t realistic with their distances. Let’s face it, most of us are overstating how far we hit the ball.
What causes a golf ball to fly higher?
The key factors for air density are humidity, air pressure, and temperature. Let’s take a look at how each of them will affect how far your golf ball is flying.
Why won't my golf ball fly far?
The conventional wisdom is that if it’s extremely humid the ball will not fly as far because the air feels heavier. Just last week I heard a broadcaster on TV talking about this during a tournament when a player’s ball landed short of the green.