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.
Full Answer
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.
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 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.
How far can you see in a golf game?
You’re not likely to see anything more than 2-3 yards at most.
How much does a 40 degree temperature affect a 6-iron?
Going from 40 to 100 degrees will increase a 6-iron carry by 8 yards and a driver by 9 yards.
What are the factors that affect air density?
The key factors for air density are humidity, air pressure, and temperature.
Do you need to keep your head down to hit a golf shot?
There’s a lot of misinformation out there amongst golfers. For example, you don’t need to keep your head down in order to hit a great golf shot, despite what your friend keeps telling you at the range.
Do golfers have excuses?
All of us golfers are full of excuses.
How does cold weather affect golf balls?
Cold weather affects golf balls due to the coefficient of thermal expansion. Although it may take a Ph.D. to fully understand this, the short version is that materials expand or contract depending on the temperature, thus affecting their properties. A chill in the air also affects the ball after it is struck.
How does cold air affect the ball?
A chill in the air also affects the ball after it is struck. Cold air is denser than warm air and creates additional drag on the ball. Former USGA technical director Frank Thomas has said the difference is about two yards of carry for every 10 degrees change in temperature.
Why do golfers wear bulkier clothes?
Players usually wear bulkier clothing and their bodies are not as flexible, further reducing swing speed that can result in fewer yards. How good a job golfers do at keeping their ball out of the frigid air also plays a role. For tour pros, that is often not an issue.
How many yards can a ball be at 40 degrees?
At 40-degree temps the ball can slow down and be shorter by 5 to 10 yards. But the balls are not 40 degrees when played. It takes a while for them to completely get to 40.". Snell added that cold temperatures also have an effect on other elements of the game.
Who said it's a freezing cold golf ball?
Golf Channel's Frank Nobilo quickly offered an explanation. "That's a freezing cold golf ball," he said. "You have to take that into consideration." Indeed, you do.
How far did Jason Day hit the iron?
Cold facts about golf balls. On the first hole of his semifinal match against Matt Kuchar at the WGC-Accenture Match Play, Jason Day had an iron shot from 166 yards into the green. Although Day pulled his approach, it normally would have carried onto the green. On this day, however, it was short, landing in the greenside bunker.
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 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.
Can you hit a golf ball high and hard?
As rain does cause shorter shots, some say to hit the ball high and hard. Others recommend hitting the ball low and hard. This seems to be the preferred option and results in a lower angle shot. A lower angle shot will have a shallower drop, causing less dirt to stick to the ball.
What to do if you see mud on your golf ball?
For example if you see mud on your ball, or water trapped on your club face, adjust your shots. This will no doubt result in a better shot and is far more practical.
What happens when it rains on golf clubs?
When it rains think about how mud forms on the ground. Well this mud will get stuck to the ball and even your golf clubs. Mud causes friction and added weight which results in the ball travelling less yards.
Why is it important to have clean grooves on your golf club?
Furthermore, rain and dirt will develop in the grooves of your club. Having clean grooves is very important in creating spin on the ball.
What weather factors affect golf ball difference?
One of the other weather factors all golfers will have to face at some point is rain. Rain does affect golf ball difference, even more so then cold weather.
Why does a golf ball travel less in cold weather?
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. This will slow the ball down after impact and it won't carry as far. The same can be said about the human body. Muscles are more flexible and responsive when the temperature is warm than when it's cold, so we are able to move more efficiently.
Does weather affect golf ball travel?
Basically it just means how long the ball remains in the air after it leaves the clubface. The question is, does weather affect the distance a golf ball travels. The answer is yes, and it's really a combination of physics and meteorology.
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.
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.
When are muscles more flexible?
Muscles are more flexible and responsive when the temperature is warm than when it's cold.
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 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.
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.
How many yards does a pitching wedge gain?
The distance increase/decrease will decrease the shorter the club, though. For a pitching wedge, you’ll only gain or lose about 1.3 yards per 10 degrees, according to the findings.
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 off season?
It’s technically the offseason, but if you’re hard core enough, you’ll still be able to play some golf. 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.
