Affect of cold weather on distance or adding loft?

[picrig]

So this will be my first winter playing golf, and this morning was the second chilly morning I've played (rounds started out at about 45 degrees). Obviously, distance suffers in cold weather, but how much? If I hit a 7I 150 when it's 75 out, how much distance should I expect to lose when it's 45?

I ask b/c I've been extremely short with my short irons the last couple of rounds. For reference, I'm normally around 250 off the tee, 200-210 w/my 18* hybrid, 150 w/my 7I. The last couple of rounds, though, I've barely been able to pump my 9I over 100 yards. This morning I was about 135 out, which is normally a comfortable 8I for me. So, I pull it out, hit it pretty solid and end up 10 yard off the front edge.

I feel like the more likely scenario is that I've begun adding loft to my short irons. What could be some causes of this? Ball forward in stance? Losing lag? Ideas welcome.

[st0wgolf08]

Losing lag, or if for some reason, you are pushing the club forward with your wrists. good luck! I dont think there is must distance loss, unless you leave your golf balls out in 30 degrees all night.

[Dub]

I find that encumbering clothing, cold balls and an overall stiffness make it difficult to play.

This may or may not be a winter related condition.



Seriously, winter play does account for some differences. I spend extra time stretching and warming up hitting some balls. I also use a lower compression ball. I generally club the same for the same distances.

[michaeljames92]

Being colder, it is likely that your muscles are a little tight and you might not be getting as much turning/coiling in your swing. Dub's post is pretty much what I would say

[Chief Broom]

I've never noticed any loss of distance playing in cold weather. This morning I played 9 holes and it was in the low 40's here. I hit two 270+ yard drives and a normal good drive for me is 250-260yds. My irons played to their usual distances too.

[Sandy Sammy]

So this will be my first winter playing golf, and this morning was the second chilly morning I've played (rounds started out at about 45 degrees). Obviously, distance suffers in cold weather, but how much? If I hit a 7I 150 when it's 75 out, how much distance should I expect to lose when it's 45?

Not saying this is the case, could be a swing thing and ignoring the wind I had a few lessons in the cold last year and my coach definately said that the cold weather can impact on the distance of a shot by something like up to 15% as i kept coming up short of the range targets, and i've heared this a few times, don't ask me why this is the case, whether its the ball or the air density or humidity etc, but thats what he said, it was very cold at the time though, freezingly cold and in the UK the winters can be very 'muggy and damp'. I always take an extra club in the cold weather, sill play a bit rubbish though even with the extra club.

[tim31x]

the best cold/windy weather tip i picked up was ball position. play the ball back in your stance 1.5-3balls or further back than normal, but be comfortable. take your normal swing, the ball flight will come out a bit lower, straighter and will cut through the wind and heavy air from the cold that weighs the ball down. it is a much more "piercing" trajectory

[Mr Eagle]

I Club up in cold ,damp weather,I definately lose a few yards in winter.The ball dosnt carry as far and you get little if any roll.When I say Cold I mean just above freezing.