Golfweek Video: Ask the Expert: Golf Balls and Cold Weather

[nevets88]

So according to Titleist, going from 70 F to 50 F, only loss of 3 yards for a 200 yard shot.

 

[DrvFrShow]

Yeah, I can't hit well when it's under 50F. It's cold and my joints get stiff. Plus jackets don't seem to help mobility. I have "warm wear" but you know there's a certain temperature....

But under 50 degrees those balls feel like rocks at the driving range. They've been outside overnight in 30 degree weather.

[mchepp]

I lose 3 yards due to the ball, and probably another 5-10 because of the heavy jacket I need to wear.

[Pretzel]

2 hours ago, mchepp said:

I lose 3 yards due to the ball, and probably another 5-10 because of the heavy jacket I need to wear.

A heavy jacket in 50* weather?

[mchepp]

25 minutes ago, Pretzel said:

A heavy jacket in 50* weather?

I am originally from Southern California originally @Golfingdad can explain how weak we are. Now I am in Portland where the high today was 54* I wore a jacket. A pretty heavy one.

[Pretzel]

1 hour ago, mchepp said:

I am originally from Southern California originally @Golfingdad can explain how weak we are. Now I am in Portland where the high today was 54* I wore a jacket. A pretty heavy one.

Ah. I was confused because it says your location is Oregon, which is similarly cold as Colorado. 50-55* is usually about my cutoff for whether or not I want to wear a t-shirt or a long-sleeved shirt.

[natureboy]

I'd love to see those numbers in the response he got from Titleist.

I had estimated based on bits and pieces I found around the internet that the difference could be up to 6 yards on a 200 yard shot accounting for both air and ball effects. The sports science thing on hot vs cold balls (in the same warm air) gave a yard per degree number that would take away 2.5 yards on a 200 yard shot. The low temp for the balls on that test was 40 degrees which is pretty close to 50. I have to figure that the extra drag from the heavier, colder air is worth about the same or a bit more of the loss for ~ 6 yards. Maybe the warmer ball bounced and rolled out more in the Sports Science test and Titleist has a new protocol / formula for carry distance only?

I would expect the flight of high loft clubs to be more affected by the colder air and maybe it's a bit less with lower spinning drivers? But the trajectory and hang time difference could balance that out?

Edited November 5, 2015 by natureboy

[boogielicious]

21 hours ago, nevets88 said:

So according to Titleist, going from 70 F to 50 F, only loss of 3 yards for a 200 yard shot.

 

Thanks for posting Steve. I'm sure they have studied this and passed it on the their pros.

I think clothing helps slow down your swing too. 

11 hours ago, mchepp said:

I lose 3 yards due to the ball, and probably another 5-10 because of the heavy jacket I need to wear.

I am still in shorts and a short sleeve shirt when it's in the 50s. But I am a hearty New Englander!

[rkim291968]

On 11/4/2015, 5:31:54, nevets88 said:

So according to Titleist, going from 70 F to 50 F, only loss of 3 yards for a 200 yard shot.

Being a short hitter, every yard counts for me.  

In the last weekend's round, I hit 2 inches short, and hit into a green side bunker on a par 3 hole.  Instead of a sure par, I struggled to get the ball out the said bunker which led to an eventual +4 on the hole.   As I recall, it was a cold day and may have shortened my shot distance by 5 inches.     

(Golf is game of inches)

[natureboy]

A difference of 3 yards isn't inches, but is relatively small compared to the typical distance error. The data I've seen is that for high swing speeds the distance loss from temperature is greater in the vicinity of 6-7 yards at 200 yards for a drop from 70 to 50 degrees. May be as low as stated in the video for the typical amateur with lower SS.

A difference of half a club for some of the better players on here is something to consider. Phil Mickelson who is a noted and knowledgeable techno-tinkerer plays a lower compression ball when it's colder. While it's probably true for lower swing speeds, I think Titleist has a vested interest (though a valid point) in emphasizing the smaller difference for the typical golfer.