Temperature vs Golf Ball Distance
| Temperature °F | Temperature °C | Distance Golf Ball Will Travel |
| 100 °F | 38 °C | 100 yards |
| 90 °F | 32 °C | 99 yards |
| 80 °F | 26 °C | 98 yards |
| 70 °F | 21 °C | 97 yards |
Does heat affect how far a golf ball go?
Does a Golf ball Go Farther 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.
Does temperature effect how far golf ball travels?
Yes weather does affect the distance of a golf ball. 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.
How does temperature affect golf ball range?
Temperature changes do have the greatest affect on ball flight, but it might not be as much as you think. Going from 40 to 100 degrees will increase a 6-iron carry by 8 yards and a driver by 9 yards. The rule of thumb is that for about every 10 degrees you can expect a change of about a yard.
How much does temperature affect golf balls?
There is no absolute temperature, but there is a rule of thumb golfers use. 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.
How much does cold affect 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.
Does cold weather affect golf balls?
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.
Do golf balls go farther in warm weather?
Generally, a warmer golf ball travels farther. The rubber materials used to make golf balls respond better if they are more resilient. Warmth enhances resiliency. A warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball, encouraging loft.
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.
How much yardage do you lose 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.
Is 45 degrees too cold for golf?
Some golfers make a distinction between when it's too cold to play golf and when it's too cold to play well. Resolute players can be found on the green even if it's below 45 degrees and raining, but the weather conditions can take a toll on your performance.
What temperature should golf balls be stored at?
between 70 and 80 degrees FahrenheitConversely, storing golf balls in temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit will cause the golf balls to soften. The ideal indoor storage temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much distance do you lose with old golf balls?
A wound ball which is approximately 10 years old, stored at room temperatures and low humidity, will have lost about 0.5 to 1.0 % of its IV (Initial Velocity) which will affect its distance by a couple of yards.
Does temperature affect smash factor?
The smash factor for both the Wilson Duo's and Titleist Pro V1's decreased as they got colder. However, the change was more noticeable between the frozen and sub-zero balls than between the unfrozen and frozen balls. Likewise, the launch angle seemed to decrease as the balls became colder.
How does temperature affect how high a ball bounces?
When the temperature increases, the gas molecules inside the tennis ball expand. As the molecules expand, their energy increases as they bounce around more erratically. This increased energy and movement results in a higher bounce.
Why do golf balls go further in summer?
When the air temperature increases in the summer, air density decreases. Less dense atmospheric conditions mean a golf ball will travel further in space. And if you think humidity will slow down ball speed then think again. Hot, humid Southern air decreases air density even more so you'll produce even longer shots.
How does weather affect a golf ball?
The Science behind Temperature Differences Cold air is denser than warm air and creates additional drag on the ball. More lift and drag makes the ball go higher and shorter. Tests show a loss of two yards of carry for every ten degrees below 75°. Not a significant loss unless you are playing in 40 degree weather.
Does freezing damage golf balls?
Placing a golf ball in the freezer will cause it to have a much shorter lifespan. The golf ball will lose its effectiveness, and you will notice a significant decrease in distance. If you have stored your golf balls in your cold garage for years, you are likely costing yourself some yardage on the golf course.
Does cold weather affect 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.
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.
What are multilayer balls made of?
Multilayer balls have multiple cores and then the outer shell. This shell is made of either surlyn or urethane. The cores, on the other hand, are made out of rubber composite materials. These materials have varying densities and compressibilities, but almost always are a rubber material.
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.
Does the Titleist Pro V1 have a lower spin rate?
Likewise, the launch angle seemed to decrease as the balls became colder. This trend was much more noticeable with the Titleist Pro V1 than the Wilson Duo. Most interesting, the Titleist Pro V1 had a lower spin rate as it got colder, while the Wilson Duo had an increased spin rate the colder it became.
Is surlyn rubber hard to compress?
Likewise, surlyn and urethane are both plastic composites. Both plastic and rubber harder to compress the colder they get. Most rubbers have a minimum service temperature range around negative 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Golf ball compressibility is related to swing speed.
How does temperature affect golf ball flight?
Generally, temperature affects a ball's resiliency, the spin and the density of the air through which the ball travels.
How does temperature affect a ball's resiliency?
Generally, temperature affects a ball's resiliency, the spin and the density of the air through which the ball travels. Each contributes to how a ball performs. Knowing this can help your scores.
Why are rubber golf balls better?
The rubber materials used to make golf balls respond better if they are more resilient. Warmth enhances resiliency. A warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball, encouraging loft. The ball's temperature also has an effect on bounce.
How far can you hit an 8 iron in 50 degrees?
So, if you hit a ball with an 8-iron about 130-yards when it's 90 degrees, you're going to hit it about 122 yards when it's 50 degrees. That's about a club shorter. In colder weather, you may need a 7-iron to hit the ball as far as you might with an 8-iron in warmer conditions.
What does it mean when the air is cold?
Colder days mean the air density is greater. If the air is "thick," the ball requires more velocity to produce a longer shot. Conversely, if the air temperature is warm, there is less density, and the ball has the chance to perform better and travel farther. It's not unlike the human body.
How many yards does an 8 iron hit?
For every 10 degrees chillier, calculate about 2 yards of lost distance. So, if you hit a ball with an 8-iron about 130-yards when it's 90 degrees, you're going to hit it about 122 yards ...
Can you put golf balls in the microwave?
Some are plug-in units that electronically produce heat that transfers to the ball. Others are compartmentalized units that allow you to put golf balls in the microwave oven.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
How far can a golf ball travel above sea level?
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
