Winter golf = 10% Less Distance?

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Having played last weekend (with my skycaddie) I found that my yardages in the cold weather have come down about 10%, for instance i hit my 8iron 150 yrds in the summer, on Saturday 135 yrds from the pin.......bang, pin high!

Also my drives that would normally be 260yrds, 235yrds on Saturday.

Obviously the ball will travel less in the cold weather but is this about the correct rule of thumb do you think?

 

[TonyN]

So many variables to take into consideration. Would be good to see a result in tests though.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I played yesterday in moderate conditions (although no wind which was beautiful!) and my distances with irons are very much the same however I did loose distance with my woods as I was obviously getting less roll- something you don't get much of with irons anyway. I love greens in winter though, with my new skycaddie and knowing how far I hit each club pretty accurately now when you find that perfect yardage you can hit it straight at the flag and guarantee it being close- I did this on our 2nd yesterday and missed the 1ft birdie putt! It was nice to pick the right layup distance though that made it a perfect 7 iron.

 

[MVP]

the ball doesnt travel as far in the winter as the cold affects it, plus you dont get much roll with the ground being soft

 

[rgs]

Naturally the colder it gets the less the ball will travel. I enjoy playing this time of year as you can cream a shot and it wont travel the distance you normally get especially with woods.

 

[feary]

A friend of mine recently told me that the ball travels less in the winter because of something to do with the heat of the balls. But at some clubs you have winter tees so you gain a few yards off the tee.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not sure 10% is an accurate reflection but htere is a definite loss of yards as the ball is colder as is the air temperature which means there is less distance through the air and obviously less roll on fariways as the grass is normally a tad longer than in the summer and wetter. My rule of thumb with approach shots use to be to take one more club than in the summer but with SC and looking where the flag is I have changed that and club according to distance and knowing how far I hit each club in colder conditions.

 

[brendy]

Softer lies and off centre hits through heavy soft ground wont help either.

 

[Herbie]

I dont know how the 10% is measured here but for me I tend to lose very little on carry, though there is a reduction, most of my distance lost is when it hits the ground and stops a lot quicker.

 

[HTL]

Real tired after work and cant be arsed to get all geeky on it but its due to moisture in the air working against the ball and lack of compression in the the ball during impact.If you want more info I will write up a more detailed reply tomorrow.

 

[RGuk]

Dunno, it could be 10% I guess.

I just tend to take a club more when I find myself in the "usual" places around the course.

 

[viscount17]

does the 10% also factor in heavier clothing so potentially slower/restricted swing?

 

[SammmeBee]

You've switched between the metres and yards settings....

 

[Cernunnos]

Yardage has gone down in the gold weather & adverse conditions, but it always does this time of year, yet it always does catch us off guard & even a couple of months into the cooler damper conditions & we still expect to get the ball the distance we have all year. Of course we'll all be equally suprised when our teeshots & shots into greens in the spring are going through the green...lol

Not sure if the difference is 10% but I'm happy to allow that as a rule of thumb... Allowing an extra club'll do me though as a yardstick, except when really close into the green.

 

[Twire]

Reading through the above posts, I thought i'd list your reasons for the balls not traveling so far in winter. Please feel free to add to the list.....then all we will need is a mathamatical genius to work out the %

1) Heavy/cold air (moisture)
2) Less roll on landing
3) Cold balls (golf ) = less compression (top tip - keep your balls in your pocket)
4) Heavy clothing restricts movement

A question from me...does equipment work the same in the cold? ie, the flex from your shafts, the trampoline effect from your driver?

Also is your swing the same? cold muscles against warm.

 

[TonyN]

top tip - keep your balls in your pocket

Or you could use one of these

 

[HTL]

I use to like you TonyN! Tut tut tut. That thing is up with golf ball retrievers and novelty head covers.

 

[TonyN]

Hahaha I did post these a while back. Only in america, surprised its not been on offer with the K1.

 

[vig]

I went out this morning with a heavy frost, there is no way that it is 10% difference. shorter irons maybe 5-10yds max

Talking of balls..... there are some black ones available that are supposed to be better in winter as they absorb more heat.

 

[Herbie]

I have no doubt that things become shorter in winter but Im less sure after today that much of it affects the carry.
Mid day I set off, by the third hole the mist rolled in, visibility eventually down to about 150yds. Finding my drives if a little wayward were down to knowing how far I hit in good conditions. I found that I was still smacking them 240/50yds and the only thing that appeared lost was the amount of run I usually get. The ground was very soft and in places soggy. It was very cold,damp and foggy and I had an extra jumper on. the distance lost for me is pretty small really especially with irons, eg. I hit an 8 iron very well from just before the 150 markers and it cleared the green completely and finished 15yds at the back, shots like that confuse the shorter hitting theories lol. Only played 9 today but still managed a 40.