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Does a golf ball travel farther in cold weather?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 09, 2026

Most every golfer believes that their golf ball flies much farther in the heat of the summer than in the colder months of winter (or even fall or spring), and, well, it does. According to Titleist research, a golfer will experience an approximately 1.5 percent drop in distance for every 20 degree drop in temperature.

Do golf balls go further in cold?

A golf ball will travel less distance in colder temperatures for two reasons. First, when the golf ball and golf club are colder, the transfer of energy is not as efficient, so the ball speed will be less. Second, colder air is more dense than warm air, so there is more friction and drag.

Do golf balls not go as far in cold weather?

"When the golf ball gets colder, it can lose a few miles per hour in ball speed, which can mean distance loss due to speed," said Snell. "[The] optimum temperature range is 70 to 90 degrees. At 40-degree temps the ball can slow down and be shorter by 5 to 10 yards.

Does a golf ball go farther in cold or warm weather?

Generally, a warmer golf ball travels farther. The rubber materials used to make golf balls respond better if they are more resilient. Warmth enhances resiliency. A warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball, encouraging loft.

What golf ball goes the farthest in cold weather?

Best Cold Weather Golf Balls 2022

  • Callaway Golf Supersoft - Editor's Choice.
  • Wilson Staff Fifty Elite - Best Budget Option.
  • Titleist DT TruSoft Golf Balls - Best for distance In Cold Weather.
  • Titleist Pro V1 - Best Premium Option.
  • Bridgestone e6 Soft Yellow Golf Balls - Best For Visibility.
43 related questions found

Is 45 degrees too cold for golf?

Some golfers make a distinction between when it's too cold to play golf and when it's too cold to play well. Resolute players can be found on the green even if it's below 45 degrees and raining, but the weather conditions can take a toll on your performance.

Are 20 year old golf balls still good?

The golf ball researchers at Titleist state, "Today's Titleist golf balls can be safely stored for five years or even more, as long as they are kept away from excessive heat. ... Normal indoor conditions should be fine for storage."

Do golf balls travel less in rain?

Rain increases air humidity creating thicker air which leads to more resistance to the golf ball in flight. The golf ball will therefore not travel as far in the rain and even more so in cold wet weather. It is estimated steady rain causes a negative effect on 'carry' distance of around 3-5 yards.

Why do balls travel farther in heat?

Heat reduces the air's density by causing it to expand. Humidity also reduces density because water vapor is lighter than dry air, so the more water vapor in the mixture, the less dense the air. So forget how the air feels on a hot, humid day. It is actually lighter, and will allow the ball to fly farther."

Does temperature affect golf ball distance?

Most every golfer believes that their golf ball flies much farther in the heat of the summer than in the colder months of winter (or even fall or spring), and, well, it does. According to Titleist research, a golfer will experience an approximately 1.5 percent drop in distance for every 20 degree drop in temperature.

Is cold weather bad for golf clubs?

Can you store golf clubs in the cold? Even if you live in a region with cold weather, though lower temperatures aren't as damaging as heat, it can still cause grips to dry out and crack.

How much does cold weather affect driver distance?

Cold air is denser than warm air and creates additional drag on a ball. According to Trackman, the difference is approximately one yard of carry for every 10-degree change in temperature. So theoretically, you're looking at a loss of four yards if you're playing in 40 degrees as opposed to 80 degrees.

How much further does a golf ball travel in warm weather?

So how much does heat affect how far the golf ball travels? According to the folks at TrackMan, for every 10 degrees of increase in temperature, the golf ball flies approximately 1.33 to 1.66 yards farther, depending on the club being used.

Does wet ground affect golf ball distance?

Wet Ground

The wetter the ground, the less amount the ball rolls. This is perhaps most noticeable with drives; a lot of driving yardage is lost when the ball doesn't roll so far. If the ground gets really wet, it can cause golf balls to plug and not roll at all. This happens more frequently with high-trajectory shots.

Do golf balls get waterlogged?

The golf ball core is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs water. However, it takes 12 hours for the water to get through the cover and find its way to the core. Therefore, we can confidently conclude that a golf ball that has been immersed underwater for an extended period can be waterlogged.

Do golf balls lose distance with use?

Its results confirmed that in the absence of visible damage, repeated use had no effect on a ball's performance. However, it also found that even small scuffs led to a measurable loss in distance, reducing driver distance as much as 6 yards.

How often does a pro golfer change balls?

Professional golfers will change golf balls every five to six holes. The modern golf ball technology can last for quite some time as the materials used to make these golf balls are more durable and resistant to cuts.

What is the coldest you should golf?

There's almost no lower limit. I'd say about 30 degrees. But that's on a mild day. If there's wind or rain that number creeps higher very fast.

Can I microwave a golf ball?

Yes, you too can get greater distance on your shots in just seconds - The Microwave Way. Merely pop a golf ball into your microwave oven - and voila! This juiced-up dimpled dumpling surprisingly flies farther than the ball pros use.

Can you golf in 50 degree weather?

If it is not at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside, they simply refuse to tee it up.

What is the best golf ball for distance?

Best Distance Golf Balls

  • Srixon Distance Golf Ball. Our pick. ...
  • Callaway Warbird Golf Ball. Best for speed off the face. ...
  • Titleist Velocity 2022 Golf Ball. High launch. ...
  • Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball. ...
  • TaylorMade Distance + Golf Ball. ...
  • Honma D1 Golf Ball. ...
  • Wilson Tour Velocity Tour Distance Golf Ball. ...
  • Pinnacle Rush Golf Ball.

How much do range balls affect distance?

Range balls, as a general rule, will travel up to 10 yards less in distance when struck with wedges or short irons. The longer the club, the less noticeable the drop in distance will be, with data showing drivers suffer almost no loss in distance when hitting either range balls or premium balls.

What to wear to play golf when it's cold?

BASE-LAYER

Long sleeve or short sleeve base layers might include moisture-wicking thermal shirts or poly-pro golf shirts that are specifically designed to trap heat. Long underwear works great under long pants and there are various active brands on the market that are designed for comfort during activity.

Can a driver crack in cold weather?

The grips can get cold and get slick or cracked if the temperatures get too extreme and steel shafts do not react well at all to the cold. The reason is what is known as the coefficient of thermal expansion.