How does cold weather affect your golf ball?
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.
How does air density affect golf balls?
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. The conventional wisdom is that if it’s extremely humid the ball will not fly as far because the air feels heavier.
What is the best temperature for golf balls?
The optimum temperature for golf balls is around 23 degrees and for every 10 degrees below, you’ll lose about two yards of distance. No more excuses now for coming up short.
Does air pressure affect your golf ball flight?
All of us golfers are full of excuses. Air pressure has pretty much no effect on your ball flight either. It will account for less than a yard of difference. This is the one that is the most important. Personally I think I have noticed considerable differences in the distance my ball is traveling in cold weather. Let’s find out the truth…
What kind of golf ball is good for cold weather?
Srixon Ultisoft golf ball This makes it an ideal choice for some golfers in the cold as that low compression can help to maximise energy transfer at impact for extra long-game distance.
What happens to a golf ball in cold weather?
The colder a golf ball gets, the more speed it loses. With every 10 degrees drop in temperature, a golf ball will lose approximately 2 yards of carry. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means the ball will drag more in cold air. The softer the ball, the more easily it compresses in a cold environment.
Are Pro V1 golf balls good in cold weather?
Titleist Pro V1 golf balls are constructed with a polybutadiene rubber core and a urethane elastomer (polyurethane) cover. Both of those materials, along with its 352-dimple design, create a high compression ball but allow the Pro V1 to travel absolutely unaffected by cold weather.
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.
Should you use a different golf ball in the winter?
Studies have shown that any drop in temperature shortens the distance that a ball travels through the air, impacted by the cold weather. Low compression golf balls have been noted to perform better in this climate, something that manufacturers have considered within their products in recent times.
Do golf balls fly shorter in cold weather?
Cold weather will make the ball fly shorter for a couple reasons. 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°.
Do Soft Feel golf balls go further?
Do Softer Golf Balls Go Further? As a general rule, soft low compression golf balls will travel further when you hit your driver and irons. With your wedges, soft and firm golf balls should travel the same distance.
How do you warm up golf balls?
How to Heat Up Golf BallsPlace a pot of water on the stove. ... Heat the water until it reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit. ... Put a folded towel on the bottom of the pot. ... Remove the balls from the water. ... Select hand warmers that use a chemical reaction to generate heat. ... Put the balls on top of the hand warmer.More items...
How much does cold weather affect golf balls?
Most every golfer believes that their golf ball flies much farther in the heat of the summer than in the colder months of winter (or even fall or spring), and, well, it does. According to Titleist research, a golfer will experience an approximately 1.5 percent drop in distance for every 20 degree drop in temperature.
Does freezing affect 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.
Why do golf balls go farther in warm weather?
Air Temperature 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.
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.
How does a golf ball react to cold weather?
Here’s what you need to know about how golf balls react to cold weather. The colder a golf ball gets , the more speed it loses. With every 10 degrees drop in temperature, a golf ball will lose approximately 2 yards of carry. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means the ball will drag more in cold air. The softer the ball, the more easily it ...
How does cold affect golf ball speed?
Golf Balls and Cold Weather 1 The colder a golf ball gets, the more speed it loses. 2 With every 10 degrees drop in temperature, a golf ball will lose approximately 2 yards of carry. 3 Cold air is denser than warm air, which means the ball will drag more in cold air. 4 The softer the ball, the more easily it compresses in a cold environment.
What is the low compression core of a Callaway Supersoft ball?
The low-compression core construction gives the Callaway Supersoft ball very little spin and a straighter, longer flight path. It features a soft trionomer cover which allows for better control, particularly when chipping.
Why is it better to play golf in cold air?
Cold air is denser than warm air, which means the ball will drag more in cold air. The softer the ball, the more easily it compresses in a cold environment. Because of these factors, it is a good idea to use a slightly softer golf ball than usual when you are playing in colder temperatures.
Do golfers take time off during the cold?
Many golfers take time off during the colder seasons, which inevitably leads to their game worsening and then having to rebuild their skills as spring comes on. If you brave the course in colder weather, you don’t have to take an entire season’s break from golf and your game won’t suffer.
Do golf courses have reduced green fees?
You probably already know we love a good deal! Most golf courses offer drastically reduced green fees during the off season, so you can enjoy the course for a fraction of the price.
Titleist TruFeel
What makes this such an attractive winter option is the use of the fastest material Titleist can create in the ball’s construction.
Taylormade Tour Response
If you crave the soft feel of urethane but don’t want to risk scuffing or losing a super premium ball, this might just be the golf ball for you.
Bridgestone e6 Speed
I’ve used and reviewed the Bridgestone e6 before so I was interested to see how they would perform in cold conditions. I have come to expect a ball that goes long and straight but isn’t super soft. It turns out this combination is PERFECT for cold weather and wintery conditions.
Ni tro Pulsar
Ok I’ll level with you. When I pulled these out of the sleeve, I wasn’t expecting much. The matte finish reminded me of my go-to Volvik Vivid, but something wasn’t sitting right. Was it the colour? Anyway, long story short is that these are EPIC.
Volvik ViMax Soft
I love Volvik balls. I regularly game the Volvik Vivid so I wanted to try out the ViMax as I’d heard they offered similar performance at a slightly lower price point. Volvik ViMAX Soft balls have a 2 piece construction, 75 compression and high launch with soft greenside spin.
Does Cold Weather Damage Golf Balls?
Vice Golf suggests that exposing a golf ball to extremely warm or cool temperatures for extended periods impacts the compression. Plus, cool temperatures can cause your ball to contract and expand, leading to a loss of shape. That ultimately influences your spin, ball speed, and distance.
Should I Change Golf Balls In Cold Weather?
If you play with a low compression golf ball in warm weather, you don’t need to change designs in the cold. According to Berner, low compression golf balls travel farther than their higher compression counterparts.
How Do I Keep My Golf Balls Warm In Cold Weather?
Johnson further suggests that you can warm your golf balls up before a round by placing them in a wet, hot towel for thirty minutes before your tee time. However, under USGA rule 14-3/13.5, you are prohibited from warming them during your round.
Are Pro V1 good in cold weather?
The average compression score of a Pro v1 is approximately 100, which is on the higher end of the spectrum. As I mentioned before, your best option in cold weather is a golf ball with a lower compression score.
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 You Need to Know About Golf Balls and Cold Weather
Golf is a much more comfortable game when we play in 70 to 90 degree weather. Unfortunately, our climate doesn't allow us that luxury, especially in the spring and fall. Since our golf ball is our most important piece of equipment, how does cold weather affect the flight?
The Science behind Temperature Differences
Golf ball manufacturers do numerous tests on their balls in varying conditions to test flight. Cold weather will make the ball fly shorter for a couple reasons. 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.
The Score-Optimizing Solution
So what's the best solution to loss of distance in cold weather? Some will suggest playing a lower compression ball. Compression is mostly a matter of feel and not club head speed so playing a softer ball is fine. I'm more of an advocate to not change balls. Changing from your normal golf ball changes all shots. Feel and consistency matters most.
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.
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.
