Do golf balls perform better when they are warm?

[Dave3498]

Just lately we have had below zero temperatures and since my golf kit is in the garage, everthing gets very cold, especially the balls. I wondered whether it is worth putting them in warm water, say an hour before playing, to warm them up. Is there any advantage in this? Do they go further or respnd better when they are warm? Any thoughts?

 

[andycap]

I would have thought they would be better warm. but doubt if most of us would notice or benefit from it . Also it would only be of any use on the 1st hole , as it would be stone cold thereafter

 

[HTL]

Only a small amount mate, just put your ball in your pocket between holes and you will make up the difference.

No TonyN, don't put up that golf ball warmer from ebay.

 

[andycap]

As an addition to that , would it be deemed illegal to put the ball in your pocket while carrying a pocket warmer in there?

 

[Imurg]

We had this the other day in a different thread. I've copied the science bit into here.


Golf balls are tested, and manufactured, to perform at their optimum at 70 degrees fahrenheit. There is NO increase in distance above 70 degrees BUT for every three degrees UNDER 70 there is a one yard loss.

So if you can keep your ball warm in cold weather it will make a difference but not as much as playing on a warm day.

Try alternating balls (oo'er!) keeping one in your pocket and playing with the other. this will mean that you'll have a warm ball for each tee shot

Ooooooh matron!!

 

[surefire]

I'm not sure how good an idea warm water would be though. Lake balls are generally degraded because they have been soaked in water for a long time. Obviously the time in water is longer but if something could cause a potential negative effect I wouldn't risk it.

 

[teetime72]

As an addition to that , would it be deemed illegal to put the ball in your pocket while carrying a pocket warmer in there?

It certainly would.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I am pretty sure storing your clubs in sub-zero temps can't do the shafts much good (no expert) and I am certain it affects the ball. I tend to make sure my ball is in my pocket for as long as possible between holes. I tend to put my tee in first and put the ball on at the last minute. Not sure it reallymakes that much difference but it is a mind thing

 

[madandra]

I think balls perform better in the summer due to warm air and softer outer shell. Keeping them warm in the winter will last as far as the first tee then they will be like ball bearings. You should use a low compression ball in the winter ... like the Hogan Apex Tour because I think the 80 compression will be more like 100 in winter tempratures.

 

[RGuk]

As an addition to that , would it be deemed illegal to put the ball in your pocket while carrying a pocket warmer in there?

It certainly would.

I guess I'm a cheat then.....damn.....always keep my balls warm (despite the best medical evidence ).

 

[RGuk]

I tend to put my tee in first and put the ball on at the last minute. Not sure it really makes that much difference but it is a mind thing

Yup, me too, hand warmer or not. In really icy conditions I'd swear it does help.

 

[Herbie]

Its true that when the ball and indeed the air itself is warmer the ball will perform better and fly further.

Do be careful alternating balls..oooer! in competition unless this is accepted or you notify your oppo's because unless another rule has changed that Im not aware of you cannot change the ball you start with unless notice and/or justifiable reason is given. Otherwise people would carry different ball types for different holes or putting.

 

[madandra]

I am sure you can change your ball in between holes but you cannot change the compresion of the ball so if you tee of the a 90 comp and loose it you must replace it with a 90 and not a 100 compression ball.

 

[USER1999]

Since during the winter a lot of us play with balls we have found, and probably don't have two the same in the bag, and definately don't have access to the specifications of every ball in the bag, this could prove difficult.

 

[DCB]

Madandra,

That only affects the pros with their "one ball" rule. They have to play the same model of ball by the same manufacturer for a given round. This susequently means that they can't change compressions etc. We can use different balls with different compressions at any time during a round.

 

[DCB]

Herb,

You only need to notify your playing partner/opponent (not team mate) of the need to change if your ball is damaged and you want to change it during play of a hole ie after driving off. This can be disputed or refused by your playing partner or opponent.

Other than that, you can change anytime. It is courtesy I suppose to say that you are changing, but as we all mark our balls with our own identification (aye right!) there shouldn't really be a problem.

 

[Dave3498]

We had this the other day in a different thread. I've copied the science bit into here.


Golf balls are tested, and manufactured, to perform at their optimum at 70 degrees fahrenheit. There is NO increase in distance above 70 degrees BUT for every three degrees UNDER 70 there is a one yard loss.

So if you can keep your ball warm in cold weather it will make a difference but not as much as playing on a warm day.

Try alternating balls (oo'er!) keeping one in your pocket and playing with the other. this will mean that you'll have a warm ball for each tee shot

Ooooooh matron!!

Sorry for repeating a thread here. I should pay more attention.

I was thinking more about chipping and putting when asking about better performance. A yard or two on a drive is of no consequence to me, but chips and putts coming up short do make a difference.

 

[brendy]

surely the ball is out on the grass/temperature longer than its in your pocket so even for a 10 minute warming you are only changing the temperature of the cover by a fraction nevermind the whole skin or core and it'll be freezing again come your approach shot or putt.

 

[DCB]

"I think balls perform better in the summer due to warm air and softer outer shell. Keeping them warm in the winter will last as far as the first tee then they will be like ball bearings."

Same could be said of golfers !

"I think golfers perform better in the summer due to warm air and softer outer shell. Keeping them warm in the winter will last as far as the first tee then they will be like ...."

Played at Troon muni yesterday and it was absolutely BALTIC ! Overhead was blue skies but it was below freezing well into the day. Good to be out on a day like that though.

 

[Herbie]

Herb,

You only need to notify your playing partner/opponent (not team mate) of the need to change if your ball is damaged and you want to change it during play of a hole ie after driving off. This can be disputed or refused by your playing partner or opponent.

Other than that, you can change anytime. It is courtesy I suppose to say that you are changing, but as we all mark our balls with our own identification (aye right!) there shouldn't really be a problem.

Then would you explain the need for marking balls and indicating to others what ball you play? Why mark them if it doesnt matter, why tell everyone what you are playing with? Your post contradicts common sense, first you say YOU ONLY have to notify oponant if ball damaged, which can be disputed, then your next line says OTHER THAN THAT you can change them anytime????? If you can change them anytime without saying anything what is the point of your first point?
Ist hole I hit a marked ball that all in the group know about, next hole I hit an unmarked ball into the rough and a partner finds it????????? Or worse I hit 400 yds for the first time ever and it reaches the back of the par 4 green out of sight and when we get there all we find is another ball, different to the one I started the round with??????????If someone did that to me in a round I would say "well thats not your ball is it?"
I will check on this rule but I am pretty sure that in a comp the only time you can change your ball to a different one regardless of reason is by notifying players and indicating the ball you are using, and during a hole should it be lost in a pond for example, can only be replaced with the same type of ball, otherwise you could hit a hard ball into the pond then drop a softy for aproach and green play.

If there is so much concern for type of ball and its charactoristics, you can guarantee there will be a rule preventing the chop and changing of them.
Im gonna look this up to be certain.