how much does elevation affect golf ball distance

by Dr. Maddison Rodriguez Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

First, figure that for about every 1,700 or 1,800 feet of elevation a ball will travel about 5 percent farther. That means that the ball will typically travel about 10 percent farther at this elevation than at sea level, give or take a few yards.Jul 23, 2019

How does altitude affect golf ball distance?

If the hitting position and green are at the same elevation, the ball lands at about 162 yards. If hitting uphill to a green elevated by 20 yards, the ball lands on the green at a horizontal …

How much altitude do you need to hit a golf shot?

Feb 21, 2020 · 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 …

How to calculate golf yardage at altitude?

Nov 06, 2018 · WTF … it comes up 8-10 yards short. Only then do you realize you hadn’t considered the elevation difference and the effect of altitude on golf ball distance. It happened …

How far does a golf ball travel at sea level?

Add 10 percent of extra distance for every 5,000-foot increase in altitude. If you normally hit your 7-iron 150 yards at sea level, you should plan for 165 yards in the Rocky Mountains. How to …

How does elevation affect 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

How much does elevation change affect golf distance?

Subtract 10 percent to account for high altitude, says "Golf Digest." Your 160-yard shot to the middle of the green will travel roughly 16 yards farther because of the thin air. Choose the club you would normally hit from 144 yards away.

How far does elevation Add to golf?

Altitude, as you can see above, is the other big factor. With a driver, you get an extra 2.5 yards per 1,000 feet of altitude. But that's not all. The “optimal spin rate” with a driver, Rice explains, increases from 2,250 RPMs at sea level to about 3,000 RPMs at 10,000 feet.Dec 14, 2018

How does uphill affect golf ball distance?

As a general rule, one yard of elevation change (up or down) equals a yard of distance. For example, if you have a shot that measures 100 yards up a hill that rises 10 yards from ball level to hole, those 10 yards must be added to the total – so it's a 110-yard shot.

How does slope affect golf ball distance?

This formula should be approached as follows: If there is an uphill or a downhill shot of 15 feet of elevation, add or subtract one club. If there is more than 15 feet, add or subtract one club for every 15 feet. For example- let's say you are 150 yards to the pin and you would use your 7-iron.Aug 8, 2018

What affects the distance a golf ball travels?

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. Second, colder air is more dense than warm air, so there is more friction and drag.Sep 3, 2020

How does temperature affect golf ball distance?

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 a golf ball go farther at sea level?

Does humidity affect golf ball carry?

Rice also found that humidity had “almost no effect on carry,” — temperature and carry were the two primary atmospheric conditions (outside of wind, which is a different matter) that effect your golf ball. So, if your driver carries about 250 yards in 70-degree conditions, according to Rice’s research, the same shot will travel about 254 yards in ...

How many yards can a driver carry in 70 degree conditions?

So, if your driver carries about 250 yards in 70-degree conditions, according to Rice’s research, the same shot will travel about 254 yards in 90-degree conditions, and 246 yards in 50-degree conditions. Altitude, as you can see above, is the other big factor. With a driver, you get an extra 2.5 yards per 1,000 feet of altitude.

Why is hang time important?

Because the air is less dense at increased altitude, so the importance of hang time increases. All this adds up — and it could help boost your driving stats in the process. Let’s say you’re that same guy who usually carries the ball a respectable 250 yards in 70-degree conditions at sea level, on a calm day.

Does the golf ball fly farther in the summer?

However, the effect heat has on the distance the golf ball travels isn't as much as most golfers, including many professionals, think. If playback doesn 't begin shortly, try ...

How far does a golf ball fly?

According to the folks at TrackMan, for every 10 degrees of increase in temperature, the golf ball flies approximately 1.33 to 1.66 yards farther, depending on the club being used. This is because the temperature changes air density, which is ultimately the factor determining how well the golf ball can fly through the air with minimal drag ...

Does humidity affect golf ball distance?

Humidity has a significant effect on golf ball distance, too. The higher the humidity, the longer the ball flies. You can feel humid air more, but water weighs less than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that make up dry air.

Why does my golf ball fly farther?

You can feel humid air more, but water weighs less than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that make up dry air. So, you're hitting into thinner air, which means the ball goes farther as though a golfer were playing at a higher altitude.

How far can a golf ball travel above sea level?

What factors affect the flight of a ball?

But it’s experimental and finding what’s best for you. Bernhard Langer has said also, elements such as temperature, humidity and air conditions can have implications on the flight of the ball. With temperatures, the warmer it is, the farther the ball will fly.

What happens when the golf ball is warm?

Compression. As the ball warms, the substances which make up the golf ball become easier to compress. Unless it is 250 degrees fahrenheit playing golf in the Amazon (in which case, the ball may begin melting), warmer temperatures will produce longer flights.

How many feet of flight does a golf ball need to fly in the Amazon?

Rule of thumb regarding temperatures and ball flight– subtract 1 foot of flight for every degree below 70 degrees.

What happens when the ball warms up?

As the ball warms, the substances which make up the golf ball become easier to compress. Unless it is 250 degrees fahrenheit playing golf in the Amazon (in which case, the ball may begin melting), warmer temperatures will produce longer flights.

How far can you hit a 7 iron in Denver?

The first, is a basic rule of thumb– for every 5,000 feet of elevation, subtract 10% of your normal yardage. If you hit a 7-iron 150 yards on average, know that when you play in altitude in a place like Denver, this will play closer a 165-yard shot. Now, this is NOT an exact science.

Does altitude affect golf shots?

Lower shots will be less affected by altitude, while shots that travel higher tend to hang in the altitude for longer periods of time, carrying farther. The Average Golf Loft Degrees. Learn More. Choose your club and note its tendencies.

Where is golf played in 2011?

With a wide variety of courses around the world, odds are you will play at least one course in your travels that takes you to great altitudes. Colorado is a favorite golf location in the United States, while the rocky terrain of Switzerland has several famous courses overseas.

Where is the best place to play golf in the United States?

Which way does the ball go when hitting a draw?

So if you are hitting a draw (or a slice for a left-hander) and the wind is blowing right to left, the ball is likely to go further.

What happens if you hit a draw and the wind blows right to left?

So if you are hitting a draw (or a slice for a left-hander) and the wind is blowing right to left, the ball is likely to go further. You might think this is a huge benefit but, for many good ball-strikers looking for precise distance control when hitting into the greens, this can actually cause problems.

Can crosswinds affect distance?

Crosswinds won’t affect your distance too much, while playing into a headwind or with a tailwind behind you can have a huge difference. Even if you do this well, it doesn’t tell you how many yards you need to add on or take off your shot, so to work that out, we recommend using these handy calculations….

Can wind swirl at ground level?

On treelined courses the wind can swirl at ground level and, as the flag is blowing in a different direction to the way the clouds are moving, it can become seriously confusing. The advice here is to try not to worry too much about what the wind is doing at ground level.

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