Most PGA Tour players say that the ball flies about 10 percent farther in Denver than at sea level, so up here in the mountains, I say about 15 percent longer than at sea level. So, your 150-yard club at sea level may go 165 up here, or from Denver, your 150 club may go 157.
How far does a 160-yard golf ball travel?
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. Consider the temperature and humidity, notes Langer. The ball won't travel as far in cool weather or humid weather. It will travel farther in warm weather and when the air is dry.
Do golf balls fly farther at higher altitudes?
It is commonly believed that golf balls fly farther at higher elevations, and there is a good reason for that: it's generally true. Various explanations for this have been asserted over the years, usually related to thin air or reduced gravity.
How far does a golf ball travel at the Mexico Championship?
If you're a professional golfer competing in the WGC-Mexico Championship, the golf ball will go 12.5-15 percent farther because the host course is y,500 feet above sea level!
How much does playing in Denver increase your distance from La?
Thus, a golfer who drives the ball 250 yards in LA might see an increase of 14.5 yards (5.8% of 250) when playing in Denver (264.5 yards). The percent increase will be less for players with slower swing speeds and/or when hitting a shorter shot.
How far does golf ball travel in Denver?
For example, if you're playing in Denver, at one mile of elevation (5,280 ft.) the increase is about 6 percent (5,280 x . 00116 = 6.1248). If you normally drive the ball 250 yards at sea level — say Los Angeles — you will likely drive it 265 yards in Denver.
How much further does a golf ball go at altitude?
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.
How much further does a golf ball travel in warm weather?
For about every ten degrees, the average golfer (90 mph swing speed) will see a difference of 2 yards in distance. So, if you hit your 9 iron 130 yards in 90 degree weather, you're only going to hit it about 122 yards when it's 50 degrees.
How far do golf balls fly?
So, basically, the maximum distance a golf ball can go is 320 yards. There are also standards about initial velocity at impact. A ball is kept in an incubator at 75 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 hours.
Why do balls fly farther in Denver?
The precise reasons for this increase are surprisingly complicated. Atmospheric pressure and density at Coors Field are, on average, about 20% less than a park at sea level. This reduces the resulting "form drag," often called air resistance, on a hit baseball, allowing it to travel farther.
How do you adjust yardage for elevation?
The first thing is to use the 15-feet formula. 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.
Do golf balls fly farther in humid weather?
A golf ball goes a bit farther when it's humid. “Air that is hot or humid is actually lighter than air that is cold or dry or both,” according to Steve Aoyama, a scientist at Titleist, in a story published by the PGA's website. “Heat reduces the air's density by causing it to expand.
How much distance do you lose in the cold golf?
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. Imagine that throughout the bag -- only on carry numbers.
How much distance does a golf ball lost 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.
Do range balls fly as far as regular golf balls?
Range Ball Distance vs. Generally, range balls do not fly as far as regular golf balls. But the biggest difference isn't necessarily that range balls typically fly shorter distances, but that they vary so widely in distance performance.
How much farther do distance golf balls go?
Analyzing the individual ball statistics we can see that the Titleist Pro V1x averaged the farthest distance as well at 266.7 yards. Meanwhile, the Callaway Chrome Soft X averaged the shortest distance at only 259.3 yards. This results in a difference between the average maximum and minimum of only 7.4 yards.
How much further do golf balls go than range balls?
10%If you are comparing a regular range ball to another two-piece golf ball, you will probably see a difference of at least 10% in overall distance and it may be a lot more.
Why does a golf ball fly at high altitudes?
The golf ball flies further in high altitudes mainly due to the change in air density, which decreases as elevation increases. Thinner air exerts less drag force on the ball. The ball moves more easily through the air and doesn't slow down as quickly as it flies, resulting in greater distance.
Why does the golf ball spin less?
Since the air is less dense at high altitudes, the spin has less effect on the ball's flight. The ball's spin generates a lifting force (like the wings of an airplane) as it moves through the air. The thinner the air, the smaller the lifting force. Thus, at higher elevations the trajectory is less influenced by lift, and thus has a "flatter" shape and a more glancing impact with the ground. This produces extra roll, which contributes to the increased distance but also makes it harder to hold the green, even though the spin is the same.
How does altitude affect golf?
Hooking and slicing are reduced in severity due to altitude’s effect on the golf ball. A hook or slice is generated when the ball's spin axis is tilted and the lifting force pulls a little to the left or right (as a result of the golfer imparting some amount of sidespin to the ball) instead of straight up. Thus, instead of just holding the ball up against gravity, the lifting force also pulls to the side, creating the curved trajectory. If the lifting force is less due to lower air density, then the curvature will also be less. At 5,000 ft elevation, the air density is about 14% lower than at sea level, so the lifting force is also about 14% less and the hook or slice will curve about 14% less. It's easier to hit the ball straight, but it's harder to intentionally curve it.
Why does the ball spin less at higher elevations?
It is also sometimes said that the ball spins less at higher elevations. This is false. The amount of spin generated on a given shot is the result of a complicated physical interaction among the club's properties, the ball's properties, and the golfer's swing properties. These aren't going to be directly affected by elevation.
What is the effect of the spin of a ball on the trajectory of an airplane?
Thus, at higher elevations the trajectory is less influenced by lift, and thus has a "flatter" shape and a more glancing impact with the ground.
How to calculate percentage of distance increase?
However, as a starting point, one can estimate the percentage distance increase (compared to sea level) by multiplying the elevation (in feet) by .00116. For example, at 5,000 ft elevation the increase is about 5,000 x .00116 = 5.8%. Thus, a golfer who drives the ball 250 yards in LA might see an increase of 14.5 yards (5.8% of 250) when playing in Denver (264.5 yards). The percent increase will be less for players with slower swing speeds and/or when hitting a shorter shot. But on a mid to long approach shot, that could still make a one club difference. Not to mention that you'll be about a club closer to the green as a result of the longer drive.
How to calculate distance gain?
You can calculate the distance gain you will experience (compared to sea level) by multiplying the elevation (in feet) by .00116. For example, if you're playing in Reno, at 1 mile elevation (5,280 ft.) the increase is about 6% (5,280 x .00116 = 6.1248). If you normally drive the ball 250 yards at sea level, you will likely drive it 265 yards in Reno.
How much to deduct for golf shots at high altitude?
Although the general rule is to deduct 10 percent to determine the "true" distance for shots to the green at high altitude, it's not a rule you can bank on. As "Golf Digest" put it, the 10 percent rule, even for the professionals, is "more of a ballpark figure than an exact science.".
Why does the ball fly farther at high altitudes?
The ball flies farther at high altitudes: The air is less dense, so there is less friction to slow the orb's forward motion.
How far does a 160 yard shot go?
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 many yards does Kenny Perry hit at sea level?
If he has 200 yards to the pin, he selects a club he normally hits160 yards at sea level.
Why is golf so special in Colorado?
Golf in Colorado is special because of the variety of golf courses that are offered. We have courses that remind me of the Midwest parkland-style course with tree-lined fairways and undulating greens. We have courses that play desert-style, with mounds, native areas and firm playing conditions. We also have the beauty of mountain golf that attracts players from all over the U.S. The variety doesn’t get much better than that.
Is there a men's golf tournament in Colorado?
Colorado’s been without a Men’s PGA tournament since 2006, when The International ended its run at Castle Pines. The tour returned to Colorado with the 2014 BMW Championship at Cherry Hills Country Club. What do you think that means for golf in Colorado?
How far should you hit a 7 iron in the Rocky Mountains?
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 Determine Walking Speed.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
Do weather factors have more effect than a whole club?
All told, these kinds of common weather factors will never have more effect than a whole club.
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 ...
aloharb
I am going to Ft. Myers,FL next week from my home in Sun Lakes,AZ. What I would like to know is, will my ball travel farther in Ft. Myers than it does at my home course in Sun Lakes,AZ? Thanks for any help answering this question.
grochol17
According to the internet, your elevation is 1243 ft. In Ft. Myers? 15 ft. So it is a decent elevation change and for most people will ball will travel farther in AZ than in FL, but whether or not you will notice it depends on how far you hit the ball.
domer
The change in elevation should more than compensate for the ball flying further in humid air. So you will lose some (small) amount of carry distance.
golfwb
I'm from East Texas and took a guys trip to Miami to play. My east Texas buddies and myself were stunned that the ball was travelling at least a club further in Florida when compared to home. I do not know why and I even think we are at a higher elevation here in Texas.
hkphooey00
I hit my 8-iron 10-12 yards farther in Scottsdale than in Seattle. But I've never noticed any difference in distance playing in Florida.
BeTheBall
Live in Gilbert but raised in Tampa, add 1 full club and bring your high bounce wedges and don't piss off the gators!!
backtees
Wouldnt it actually be the opposite and travel further in dry air, rather than humid air. I use to live in a high elevation, dry climate and my ball would usually go about 10 yards further. It seems like the humidity would slow the ball down.