Temperature: Does it affect Distance of Golf Ball?

Sup guys, I live near Toronto, so as you know right now its colder outside. Ive been going to this range where its outdoor with heated panelling and Ive noticed that the ball catches flight nicely but then just booms to the ground and dies out. I heard from some people that the temperature and the hardness of the ball affect distances and ball flight, carry. Im just wondering if this is true, if so, how much would you say it affects ur shot? Especially the harder ****py range balls, they seem to just die easily. thanks.

HI there,

The cold weather definatley affects the distance between 10-20 and in some cases 30yds, less in cold climates.

Here in the uk I have followed the European Tour several times over the years, especially in May when it is still abit cold, at the Belfry and the Forest of Arden for the last two years, and I can confidently say non with maybe the exception of John Daly have I ever seen a 300+yds drive, yet in the US it's 300+ every drive.

Ian.

Someone once told me that loss of distance is caused by the density of the air, not the temperature per se. So, at high altitudes (where the air is thin), the ball flies longer than on low altitudes even if it is colder higher up.

Balls are also affected by temperature. The soft balls more than the "rocks". Most balls get harder when it is cold, but if it is this that makes them go shorter or if it is the air density, I don't know.

Many players recommend to use a very soft ball when it's cold since it then behaves more like your normal, harder ball. Precept Laddie has been mentioned as a good cold weather alternative, but there are certainly others.

Range balls are mostly low to medium quality. I think you can expect them to travel 10-20y shorter than tour quality balls (ProV1 and such). That is my experience anyway.

__________________
Regards, Peter
(WITB)

cold air is more dense than warm air

I'm in Ottawa and not lucky enough to have a heated outdoor driving range!

The temperature will make the balls harder. Just as it's more difficult to bounce a basketball in the winter, it's harder to get a golf ball to bounce off your club face when the balls are cold.

Maybe the balls could be kept warm? Just get one of those coolers you use in the summer, fill it with balls and you're in business! Heating pads?

They freeze hockey pucks to make them less bouncy don't they?

On another forum, one guy posted that his unscrupulous playing partner would microwave his golf balls before a round. This kept them warm (if not hot) to the touch throughout the round. This way he would get greater distance.

Maybe you could ask the guys at your indoor range to "warm" you up a couple of balls. Another option could be to bring a flask of hot water and warm some up in the flask yourself.

I am not condoning this action , but I do think it is hilarious .

The pros do it.
Keep some balls in the caddys pocket and switch between them on each hole.
Obviously they have to be the same type of ball.

really eh, yeah near in the greater toronto area it has been like spring throughout january. Its still cold though and the balls are noticably harder. I could bring a cooler, but that would seem all to awkward. Oh well, lol thanks for the responses guys.

[quote=james.welsh]I'm in Ottawa and not lucky enough to have a heated outdoor driving range!

The temperature will make the balls harder. Just as it's more difficult to bounce a basketball in the winter, it's harder to get a golf ball to bounce off your club face when the balls are cold.

Maybe the balls could be kept warm? Just get one of those coolers you use in the summer, fill it with balls and you're in business! Heating pads?

ThColey freeze hockey pucks to make them less bouncy don't they?[/qu No ote]

Apparently there's nothing wrong with warming balls before a round, but you can't keep them warm during a round.

It's the duty of every man to keep his balls warm.

[quote=auldyn][quote=james.welsh]I'm in Ottawa and not lucky enough to have a heated outdoor driving range!

The temperature will make the balls harder. Just as it's more difficult to bounce a basketball in the winter, it's harder to get a golf ball to bounce off your club face when the balls are cold.

Maybe the balls could be kept warm? Just get one of those coolers you use in the summer, fill it with balls and you're in business! Heating pads?

ThColey freeze hockey pucks to make them less bounce