cold golf question ????

[inthehole]

how much does cold weather affect distance ?   It was only 45 degrees today, but seemed like I lost at least 20 yards on practically every shot .... is it remotely possible to lose that much distance in the cold, or was it just me (probably restricted from wearing too many clothes )?

[WUTiger]

In part, it depend how well a person performs individually in the cold.

I have an arthritic right hip, and I have trouble getting it warmed up in the colder weather. Today it was in the 50s, no sunshine, and the wind got colder as the day advanced.

I was scheduled as an alternate to fill in at a scramble. I stopped by my gym on the way in, did 10 minutes on the elliptical machine, and added some stretches. At the course, I put on my windshirt and did my swing warm-up routine, chipped and putted, and hit about 20 full shots.

The scramble didn't need me, so I went over to an affiliated course to play 18. The ride over in the car cooled me off enough I didn't feel that loose at tee off. The temperature bounced up and down about 10 degrees all afternoon. Had a 35 MPH wind on the back nine.

I hit 11 of 14 fairways - driver was working well - but couldn't do much from there. On most holes I completely chunked a shot - either fat or thin, or a bad pull. Had trouble feeling when I was "at the top" of my backswing. Had one of my worst rounds of the year.

If it's not 60 degrees, I probably won't play. I can't seem to warm up. Two layers I feel chilly, three layers and I start sweating.

[mvmac]

how much does cold weather affect distance ?   It was only 45 degrees today, but seemed like I lost at least 20 yards on practically every shot .... is it remotely possible to lose that much distance in the cold, or was it just me (probably restricted from wearing too many clothes )?

Probably a combo of both but yes the ball will fly shorter.

Skip to the 23 min mark

[dfreuter415]

how much does cold weather affect distance ?   It was only 45 degrees today, but seemed like I lost at least 20 yards on practically every shot .... is it remotely possible to lose that much distance in the cold, or was it just me (probably restricted from wearing too many clothes )?

I play a lot of cold weather golf. I agree with your assessment that cold weather clothing has an effect on your distance. It just makes sense that your swing would be restricted, thus losing clubhead speed. Usually, when the temperatures are in the 40's I hit two extra clubs - 50's one extra - 60 and above no perceptible change in club selection.

[boogielicious]

It definitely makes a difference.  Yesterday we started out at around 45 degrees and the ball was flying a good 10 yards shorter (no wind).  By the second 9, it warmed up to about 60 and the ball was flying close to my normal distance.

One trick is to play with two balls.  On each hole, switch balls.  One will be warming in your pocket at all times.

[GaijinGolfer]

It does make a difference but IMO, not as much as people think.  Ive played in temps as cold as the high 20s and it was a difference of maybe 1/2 a club.

I know that some people switch to a distance ball when it gets chilly and Ive really never seen the sense in that.  If youre that worried about distance loss due to the cold, simply keep an extra ball in your pocket and switch it out every hole or get one of those hand warmer chemical packets and throw it in the ball pocket of your bag.

[MS256]

No doubt that the ball doesn't go as far when it's cold but most of us that only hit the sweet spot about every third shot (or less) lose more distance from that than the cold anyway.

My average driving distance is actually about the same excluding wind and wet conditions because I hit the sweet spot more consistently with a coat on (go figure).