How much does the cold hurt distance?
- Thread starter jbrunk
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cmartingolf
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I don't know the science, but it sure effects my game.
I played on Saturday in Portland and I think it got up to a balmy 47 or so....
Generally, in the cold, I'm a little more bundled than normal, a little stiffer (40 y/o body) and the ball doesn't want to go as far. I hit it well, just made the adjustments. I'd say I was consistently playing one club more than normal which was about the right play.
I played on Saturday in Portland and I think it got up to a balmy 47 or so....
Generally, in the cold, I'm a little more bundled than normal, a little stiffer (40 y/o body) and the ball doesn't want to go as far. I hit it well, just made the adjustments. I'd say I was consistently playing one club more than normal which was about the right play.
I also usually play an extra club when I play in the winter vs. normal spring/fall weather. The ball feels more rocklike. I don't know if I am imagining that or not. Maybe Mandrin can tell us if the ball goes further at 80 degrees rather than 45 degrees. Maybe it is that I am not as loose swinging a club in winter?
I know they heat footballs in winter so kickers can kick them further.
I know they heat footballs in winter so kickers can kick them further.
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
This goes back to the massive debate which i'm not trying to start but essentially...colder weather is usually more oxygen rich and overall "denser" than warmer more humid weather where it is less oxygen rich and overall "less denser." When the air is denser; the ball will go shorter and when the air is warmer and more humid it will go further.
By how much? I don't know; however i could give you specifics on how we had to tune motors for the varying weather conditions.
By how much? I don't know; however i could give you specifics on how we had to tune motors for the varying weather conditions.
mjstrong
New
Real rough estimates
From a Vancouver winter (6 C = 43 F) to summer (28 C = 82 F), I find that I lose about 8-10% with most shots. A drive that might carry 275 in the summer (sea level) probably carries 250 in the winter. A 7 iron that carries about 170 in the summer, probably carries about 155 in the winter.
Just my observations.
From a Vancouver winter (6 C = 43 F) to summer (28 C = 82 F), I find that I lose about 8-10% with most shots. A drive that might carry 275 in the summer (sea level) probably carries 250 in the winter. A 7 iron that carries about 170 in the summer, probably carries about 155 in the winter.
Just my observations.
tourdeep
New
Depending on whom is asked, it's one yard loss for every two-three degrees temp change within a certain temperature range, which I don't know.
There is an optimal temp for ball, somewhere between 70-80 and using a lower compression ball may go farther as the temp decreases.
Keeping a ball warm might help. But it's gotta be warm to the core...
IMO, loss of distance is more attributable to one's body characteristics and clothing that feels restricitve. Roll is big time diminished in my area.
There is an optimal temp for ball, somewhere between 70-80 and using a lower compression ball may go farther as the temp decreases.
Keeping a ball warm might help. But it's gotta be warm to the core...
IMO, loss of distance is more attributable to one's body characteristics and clothing that feels restricitve. Roll is big time diminished in my area.
tourdeep
New
Too funny, all a matter of perspective. Today, it will be 55 and one of my favorite coures is slammed! I am certain I would see some in their Bermuda best shorts!
vjsinger
New
I went to a park down from where I live that has a lake. I hit a 5iron in the frozen lake and I think its still going...longest shot Ill ever hit.
Richie3Jack
New
My old man and I played today. Had about a high of 48 and it was windy coming out of the north. I'd say the cold alone took off about 2 clubs. When the wind was in our face, I'd say it was about 3 clubs more. In the summertime with no wind I measured out to 290 tops with the driver. Today my best drive went 261 according to the GPS, but most of the good drives ranged from 248 - 255 yards today.
So it depends on the cold. Also depends on the ground. A few weeks ago we teed off in 45 degree weather, but the ground was pretty much frozen the first few holes and I was able to hit one drive that went 294 yards.
Having grown up in upstate NY, there were times where you could hit some bombs out on the frozen tundra.
3JACK
So it depends on the cold. Also depends on the ground. A few weeks ago we teed off in 45 degree weather, but the ground was pretty much frozen the first few holes and I was able to hit one drive that went 294 yards.
Having grown up in upstate NY, there were times where you could hit some bombs out on the frozen tundra.
3JACK
Burner
New
With acknowledgement to Frank Thomas - former USGA Technical Director
As the temperature decreases the air become more dense and the drag on the ball is greater but so is the lift force for a specific spin rate. The decrease in distance, because of a decrease in air temperature alone, is about 2 yards of carry and a little more in total distance for every 10 ° F change.
So from 75 °F to 35 °F you can expect about 8 yards less carry and about 10 yards less in total distance – unless the ball lands on a frozen patch of ground -- because of air temperature. Add to this the effects on the ball -- if you haven’t been keeping it in an insulated pouch – which will be a couple of yards and again add what your body is not normally capable of doing at room temperature, which varies by body type, flexibility and mind set for being out there.
You are looking at a least an extra club for your irons and up to fifteen yards for your driver.
As the temperature decreases the air become more dense and the drag on the ball is greater but so is the lift force for a specific spin rate. The decrease in distance, because of a decrease in air temperature alone, is about 2 yards of carry and a little more in total distance for every 10 ° F change.
So from 75 °F to 35 °F you can expect about 8 yards less carry and about 10 yards less in total distance – unless the ball lands on a frozen patch of ground -- because of air temperature. Add to this the effects on the ball -- if you haven’t been keeping it in an insulated pouch – which will be a couple of yards and again add what your body is not normally capable of doing at room temperature, which varies by body type, flexibility and mind set for being out there.
You are looking at a least an extra club for your irons and up to fifteen yards for your driver.
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