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How much distance is lost in cooler weather?
cbower1971
Professional Champion
 
129 Views    21 Replies    2 Likes   I like it!
Played a round today and it was around 50 - 55 and it seemed like all of my shots were coming up really short. I'm not a long hitter by any means but I can normally carry a 9i between 110 and 120 but came up about 10 yards short a couple of times on 100 yard shots. It wasn't just the 9i, it was all of my shots that seemed to be coming up really short. It was very agrrevating!

Does anyone else have this problem in cooler weather or was I just having an off day?
armygrunt47
Professional Champion
 
# 1    3/4/2013 9:07:52 PM   
The formula that I found a while back said that 80 degrees is the optimal temperature for getting distance out of your golf ball. For every 10 degrees under that you supposedly lose 2.5 yds. So at 50 degrees you would lose about 7.5 yds. I am not 100% sure about this formula but it is really close to the results that I get with my yardages.


Vincedaddy
Legend
 
# 2    3/4/2013 9:50:07 PM   
I am no expert but from what research I have done mentioned the following factors to consider.
1) Air temp. Colder air has more density and more resistance.
2) Ball temp. Increased hardness equals less compression of the ball (not the rating, the actual compression). Less compression is less stored energy from impact with the club.
3) Your temp. Cold stiff muscles don't promote good swing speed but additional clothing can decrease your swing speed. Recommend walking and not using a cart. The walking will keep you warm and you'll be able to wear less layers.

I notice it most on par 3's. Some days it's a 7I and others a 5I.


Mark Simmons
Legend
 
# 3    3/5/2013 1:40:53 AM   
You might have had a bad day, but let's put that aside for the moment.

Cold weather affects both the indian and and arrow. Over time it proportionally affects the indian more. I think the formula goes like this:

Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (120 - Age) / 100

In other words, if you are 20 years old and playing in 80 degree weather, you are golden and will strike the ball your maximum optimal distance. But if you are an octogenarian playing in 20 degree weather stay home. You can't even dribble it off the tee!

P.S. for Ethan: The formula is slightly different for players less than 20 years old.
Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (Age/20)


njgolfer
Legend
 
# 4    3/5/2013 4:59:50 AM   
Was never good at math but all i can say is the more clothing I have on, the more restricted my swing is, thus shorter distance.


JayPet
Legend
 
# 5    3/5/2013 7:41:22 AM   

You might have had a bad day, but let's put that aside for the moment.

Cold weather affects both the indian and and arrow. Over time it proportionally affects the indian more. I think the formula goes like this:

Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (120 - Age) / 100

In other words, if you are 20 years old and playing in 80 degree weather, you are golden and will strike the ball your maximum optimal distance. But if you are an octogenarian playing in 20 degree weather stay home. You can't even dribble it off the tee!

P.S. for Ethan: The formula is slightly different for players less than 20 years old.
Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (Age/20)


Mark, you are too funny. Everything with you is a formula or 10 random thoughts or a pattern or a 1/2 swing or a 3/4 swing. I think you like #'s!!

Just grip and rip, baby! If you're losing distance, you're not swinging hard enough. Am I right, Daniel???


Duckhunter
Legend
 
# 6    3/5/2013 8:22:04 AM   
I think it has something to do with the cold, When I play I add 1 club for any shot into the green. One other thing you can do that can help is to change your ball on each hole with one that is in your pocket that is warm.


Golfandsoccer
Professional Champion
 
# 7    3/5/2013 11:16:48 AM   

You might have had a bad day, but let's put that aside for the moment.

Cold weather affects both the indian and and arrow. Over time it proportionally affects the indian more. I think the formula goes like this:

Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (120 - Age) / 100

In other words, if you are 20 years old and playing in 80 degree weather, you are golden and will strike the ball your maximum optimal distance. But if you are an octogenarian playing in 20 degree weather stay home. You can't even dribble it off the tee!

P.S. for Ethan: The formula is slightly different for players less than 20 years old.
Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (Age/20)


Help me understand this. I'm 50 years old and it was 50 degrees out when I played last Saturday. I normally hit my 8 iron 150 yards in optimal (80 degree) conditions. Using your formula how far was I hitting my 8 iron last Saturday?

As I understand the formula I would lose 43.75% of my distance resulting in 84.375 yard 8 iron shots. Since in actuality I was hitting it 135 yards, either;

a) - your formula is wrong
b) - I don't understand it, or
c) - this spring I'll be hitting my 8 iron 240 yards.


LyinLewis
Legend
 
# 8    3/5/2013 11:31:40 AM   


You might have had a bad day, but let's put that aside for the moment.

Cold weather affects both the indian and and arrow. Over time it proportionally affects the indian more. I think the formula goes like this:

Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (120 - Age) / 100

In other words, if you are 20 years old and playing in 80 degree weather, you are golden and will strike the ball your maximum optimal distance. But if you are an octogenarian playing in 20 degree weather stay home. You can't even dribble it off the tee!

P.S. for Ethan: The formula is slightly different for players less than 20 years old.
Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (Age/20)


Help me understand this. I'm 50 years old and it was 50 degrees out when I played last Saturday. I normally hit my 8 iron 150 yards in optimal (80 degree) conditions. Using your formula how far was I hitting my 8 iron last Saturday?

As I understand the formula I would lose 43.75% of my distance resulting in 84.375 yard 8 iron shots. Since in actuality I was hitting it 135 yards, either;

a) - your formula is wrong
b) - I don't understand it, or
c) - this spring I'll be hitting my 8 iron 240 yards.


Or...d) he was just messing with you.


JayPet
Legend
 
# 9    3/5/2013 11:47:10 AM   



You might have had a bad day, but let's put that aside for the moment.

Cold weather affects both the indian and and arrow. Over time it proportionally affects the indian more. I think the formula goes like this:

Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (120 - Age) / 100

In other words, if you are 20 years old and playing in 80 degree weather, you are golden and will strike the ball your maximum optimal distance. But if you are an octogenarian playing in 20 degree weather stay home. You can't even dribble it off the tee!

P.S. for Ethan: The formula is slightly different for players less than 20 years old.
Distance Reduction % = (Current Temp. F/80) x (Age/20)


Help me understand this. I'm 50 years old and it was 50 degrees out when I played last Saturday. I normally hit my 8 iron 150 yards in optimal (80 degree) conditions. Using your formula how far was I hitting my 8 iron last Saturday?

As I understand the formula I would lose 43.75% of my distance resulting in 84.375 yard 8 iron shots. Since in actuality I was hitting it 135 yards, either;

a) - your formula is wrong
b) - I don't understand it, or
c) - this spring I'll be hitting my 8 iron 240 yards.


Or...d) he was just messing with you.


Maybe you weren't playing at all?????? (cue weird music)


Golfandsoccer
Professional Champion
 
# 10    3/5/2013 12:48:43 PM   
Funny Lynn, although I prefer to think I'll be hitting my 8 iron 240 this spring.


Mark Del Vecchio
Professional Champion
 
# 11    3/5/2013 1:27:17 PM   

Funny Lynn, although I prefer to think I'll be hitting my 8 iron 240 this spring.


But you'll be hitting your driver 150 (again, cue weird music)


tothetop777
Legend
 
# 12    3/5/2013 2:21:35 PM   
We notice in AZ it is about 1 club if its 55. On occasion when we get 40, it will be 1-1/2 club difference, sometimes 2. Ball just doesn't compress as well when it is cold out.


cogolfer1
LowIndex
 
# 13    3/5/2013 5:10:56 PM   
This might just apply to my area, but if you are hitting a full shot (emphasis on full; such as a drive, or long iron) you won't carry it as far but the ground is so dry and firm that the roll will make up for the distance you lost in your carry. Would anyone like to share their thoughts to that?


Vincedaddy
Legend
 
# 14    3/5/2013 7:35:34 PM   

This might just apply to my area, but if you are hitting a full shot (emphasis on full; such as a drive, or long iron) you won't carry it as far but the ground is so dry and firm that the roll will make up for the distance you lost in your carry. Would anyone like to share their thoughts to that?


frozen ground is a lot like the cart path ;)


Pappy82nd
Professional Champion
 
# 15    3/5/2013 8:07:08 PM   
Depends on many factors. 50 degrees in the Northwest means a great deal more moisture in the air. With that you will lose distance because of the heavier air. In Colorado at 50 degrees and thinner air you will not have as much moisture in the air (on a clear day) so you won't lost as much distance. Altitude, warmth of ball and club face can all be factors that reduce distance. I don't know any math formula's or even any studies on it, I have just experienced it both here in Washington and in Colorado. Moisture in the air at lower temps does make a difference. Drier air in lower temps will impact it less.


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