why does a golf ball travel farther in warm weather

by Korey Dare Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Golf balls travel farther in warmer temperatures than they do in cooler ones because there’s more energy to propel them forward. So if you’re planning on teeing off in the rain or on a particularly cold day, remember to use a ball with lower compression, so you don’t sacrifice as much distance. Table Of Contents [ hide]

Now as for the golf ball itself, when its warmer, the rubber materials used to make the balls respond better. So, a warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball. Plus, it will carry a bit farther because warm air is less dense. Golf ball selection also plays a part.Sep 3, 2020

Full Answer

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.

Why do golf balls travel so far?

Sep 03, 2020 · Now as for the golf ball itself, when its warmer, the rubber materials used to make the balls respond better. So, a warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball. Plus, it will carry a bit farther because warm air is less dense. Golf ball selection also plays a part.

How does cold air affect the performance of a golf ball?

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...

What is the difference between a warmer and a colder golf ball?

Apr 30, 2021 · Temperature is one factor that does have an impact, with a rise from 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 100 degrees Fahrenheit resulting in as much as an eight-yard increase in distance the golf ball will travel.

How does temp 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

Why do balls travel farther in heat?

Heat reduces the air's density by causing it to expand. Humidity also reduces density because water vapor is lighter than dry air, so the more water vapor in the mixture, the less dense the air. So forget how the air feels on a hot, humid day. It is actually lighter, and will allow the ball to fly farther."Oct 30, 2019

What makes a golf ball travel farther?

The faster the air moves, the less pressure it exerts, an effect that is called Bernoulli's Principle. This lower pressure air above the ball helps generate lift, a force that pushes the ball upward, helping it to travel farther.

How does weather affect a golf ball?

"When the golf ball gets colder, it can lose a few miles per hour in ball speed, which can mean distance loss due to speed," said Snell. "[The] optimum temperature range is 70 to 90 degrees. At 40-degree temps the ball can slow down and be shorter by 5 to 10 yards.Feb 26, 2013

Does a golf ball go farther in humid or dry air?

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.Jun 15, 2020

Does heat hurt golf balls?

High temperatures will affect the covers of golf balls which in many cases are made of an ionomer which is a thermoplastic which starts melting and deforming at temperatures above about 170 Degrees F.Dec 12, 2007

Do golf balls travel less in cold weather?

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

Do softer golf balls go further?

Although softer golf balls go further from the tee for lower swing speed players, the gap across the whole range of ball types is only around 5 yards, so it is more important to fit the ball to your irons and then fit your driver to your preferred ball to maximise distance.Feb 8, 2016

Do golf balls really make a difference in distance?

They can, but when we tested both types of balls at average-golfer swing speeds, the difference was almost negligible: six yards, usually less. The real advantage of urethane-cover balls is the extra spin, feel and control they offer on shots near the green.May 3, 2015

Does a golf ball travel farther in high altitude?

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.Feb 19, 2019

Does a ball travel further in humid air?

Since the addition of humidity actually makes the air less dense, a ball will go farther on a humid day than it will on a dry day." The changes in air density related to humidity are not large: Compared to dry air at the same temperature and pressure, there's only about a 1 percent reduction in density for a humidity ...

Do golf balls travel less in rain?

Rain increases air humidity creating thicker air which leads to more resistance to the golf ball in flight. The golf ball will therefore not travel as far in the rain and even more so in cold wet weather. It is estimated steady rain causes a negative effect on 'carry' distance of around 3-5 yards.

How Much Does Cold Weather Affect Golf Ball Distance

Although it’s not the easiest thing to measure, colder weather does result in a decrease in golf ball travel distance. When the temperature decreases by 20°F you can expect a 1 – 2 yard decrease in distance for every 100 yards in a shot.

Temperature vs Golf Ball Distance

For a better example take a look at the chart below to better understand how cold weather can reduce distance.

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.

Does Rain Affect Golf Ball Distance

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.

How Mud Affects Golf Ball Distance

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.

How To Hit Golf Balls In The Rain

Hitting golf balls in the rain comes with two schools of thought. As rain does cause shorter shots, some say to hit the ball high and hard.

Difference Between Cold and Warm Golf Balls

Varying weather conditions not only affect your club performance and air density on the course, but also your golf balls.

How does temperature affect golf ball performance?

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.

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 of distance is lost in a 10 degree chillier?

For every 10 degrees chillier, calculate about 2 yards of lost distance.

What weather factors impact ball flight?

The overarching weather factor that affects ball flight is air density.

How does altitude affect golf ball flight?

Altitude, otherwise known as elevation, can have a drastic and observable effect on the distance a golf ball will travel through the air. For every 1000 feet (about 300 metres) you travel above sea level, you can expect roughly two yards more carry distance.

Why does altitude affect golf ball flight?

The reason altitude affects ball flight so greatly is due to a reduction in air density. The thinner air at higher elevation reduces drag force, allowing the ball to fly farther without the resistive influence.

Do higher altitudes impact golf ball spin and launch angle?

Higher altitudes do not have an impact on spin, but they do influence lift, so your ball will have greater difficulty reaching the heights it may at sea level. Expect shots to have a flatter trajectory, less grip and more roll out on greens and fairways. The lower density also means less force will be imparted on the ball, reducing slice and hook.

How much yardage should you subtract for a downhill shot?

Downhill shots, whether off the tee or on approach to the green, will fly farther than normal, therefore requiring less club. As a rough guide, for every 15 feet (5 metres) your target is situated below you, it’s best to take one less club.

How much yardage should you add for an uphill shot?

When playing an uphill shot, you need to take more club as the ball will find the earth quicker than if you were playing to a target level with you. As a rough guide, for every 15 feet (5 metres) your target is situated above you, it’s best to take one extra club.

Final message

There are many factors that affect the trajectory of the golf ball, some more drastically than others.

Humidity

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.

Air Pressure

I’ve actually never heard a golfer refer to a low-pressure system as the reason their approach shots landed short of the green, but hey I’m sure it’s occurred somewhere.

Temperature

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.

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.