When is it too cold to golf?

[ghalfaire]

I don't know for sure but I would think that when temperatures get below freezing it might be possible to damage graphite shafts on irons.  But playing in those temperatures seems counter productive in my opinion.  Those mishits got the hurt the hands.

[ay33660]

Note the golf balls on the ice. Around 34 F when we teed off. Had trouble getting the tee into the ground. No wind so it was ok.

[bkuehn1952]

As we head into winter, what's the temperature when a buddy calls you with an offer to play a fancy private course for free and you say screw it, I'm staying home?

General rule is no complete snow cover on the ground and especially the greens.  Also, the ground can't be frozen solid, especially the greens.  On that basis, I have played with the temperature right around 32 degrees.  The temperature is never an issue for my comfort.  At some point the conditions are so cold that it affects the game too drastically.  When one can't hit an approach shot on the green or putt/chip, it isn't close enough to golf to bother.

The one exception to all of this s the same as dbuck's.

[ejimsmith]

I'd never play in low 50's or under.  And if its mid-50's, it better be first light where I can pull my jacket off before the 6th or 7th hole.

[inthehole]

been playing in the high 30's (WITH HIGH WIND) last few weeks - not all that bad if you dress for it.     As long as there's no snow (like 2012 here), I'll find someplace to play all winter ...

[ay33660]

What I have really noticed is that with today's technical gear the bulky clothing is gone.

I can play in the 30s with wind wearing only a base layer, long sleeve shirt, and lined sweater. If it gets really windy I will add my Galvin Green rain jacket.

I also wear my rain pants if it gets really wind.

I find the Galvin Greens really warm without the bulk.

[dfreuter415]

For those interested here are some cold weather tournaments...

Chilly Open
Chisolm, Minnesota
This annual event started in 1984 and traverses three nine-hole courses set up on Lake Minnetonka. Wind chills of -31 degrees didn't stop 500 hardcore golfers from teeing it up in 2007.

Bering Sea Ice Golf Classic
Nome Alaska
Played on a six-hole, par-41 course laid out on the frozen Bering Sea. Participants get shotgun shells to use as tees and "snake bite remedies" — small bottles of vodka — to ward off the chill.

The World Ice Golf Championship
Uummannaq, Greenland
This masochist Masters began in 1997 on a "course" that weaves among glaciers and icebergs 373 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The other players aren't your only competition: temperatures on the course can fall to nearly -60 degrees (F).

[Midpack]

I guess I’m a wimp. I can’t imagine playing on a course at less than 50F, I’m on the fence about playing today. However I’ll be on the driving range with overhead heaters or an indoor simulator once a week if possible this winter.

[rehmwa]

"When is it too cold to golf?"

Probably tomorrow

[Groucho Valentine]

Meh. As long as the sun is out and there is no wind, ive played when the temperatures have been in the teens. Ive never had any issues with my equipment playing in that type of cold. I use women's golf balls though. 

Edited October 26, 2017 by Groucho Valentine

[mcanadiens]

I'll push it to about 40 degrees depending on rain and wind. Even 35 can be ok if the air is still and the sun is out.

Besides, it isn't going to be getting warmer. You can't hibernate, so you just got to adjust yourself. What better way than playing some heavily discounted golf?

 

[ghalfaire]

 Well since we, at the Mrs. insistence, don't spend winter in the warm Phx area anymore I have learned a thing to two about playing in cold weather or maybe just remembering from my Denver days.  Number one is get a pair of foul weather golfs as your ungloved hand gets cold.  I don't play if it isn't at least 40 degrees, sunny, and no wind.  Fortunately there are days like that here and there is a course that stays open in Winter within drivable distance.  But you gotta want it bad as it sure isn't like playing in shorts and polo shirts in the Summer.  Sometimes about half way through the round you're wondering "why am I doing this?".  

[Lihu]

1 hour ago, Midpack said:

I guess I’m a wimp. I can’t imagine playing on a course at less than 50F, I’m on the fence about playing today. However I’ll be on the driving range with overhead heaters or an indoor simulator once a week if possible this winter.

Below 50F is kind of too cold. I like above 65F now, so I play in the afternoons instead of mornings through the winter months. At one point, I played every single day even when it got to below 37F, that was really bad and unnecessary in my region. 

The problem around me is it gets too hot to play sometimes. So, I take the summers off from golf.

[DeadMan]

In general, if the course is open, I'll play. If I walk, keeping warm isn't a problem for me. Enough layers and movement warms me up.

That said, I won't play if there's going to be a cold win, or if it's below 45 and raining.

[GolfLug]

40 deg F is cut off if dry. 60 deg F if wet.

I have below 40 a few times and it's ok but I might as well have just kicked and thrown the ball around as swing was functional to similar methods of ball advancement.

[billchao]

4 hours ago, GolfLug said:

40 deg F is cut off if dry. 60 deg F if wet.

Dry temp is spot on for me. I'll play in colder weather than 60°F even if it's wet out. You have, too 

4 hours ago, GolfLug said:

I have below 40 a few times and it's ok but I might as well have just kicked and thrown the ball around as swing was functional to similar methods of ball advancement.

I played a couple of rounds when the ground was frozen. It was kind of fun but I'm probably never doing it again.

[Midpack]

7 hours ago, Midpack said:

I guess I’m a wimp. I can’t imagine playing on a course at less than 50F, I’m on the fence about playing today. However I’ll be on the driving range with overhead heaters or an indoor simulator once a week if possible this winter.

Hmmm... Just played 18 today with temps in the low to mid 50's, sunny but quite breezy - and was perfectly comfortable, even took my fleece vest off on the back nine. Maybe my threshold is a little lower than I thought, though wind and wet would be a factor like others have mentioned.

[Dave Saari]

I played yesterday and the high was 42 F, but the sun was shining and there was no wind. It felt very nice. I've played in temperatures close to freezing, but that's not much fun. Upper 30's is OK as long as there isn't much wind. Wind is the killer on cold days.

When you live in the Northland, you can't be too picky about temperatures.