Question:
I’ve read here that shots tend not to travel as far in cold weather, but with some changes I’ve made to my stance/swing, and a new driver, I’m hitting the ball a lot further than I used to be, even though the temperatures round here have been from zero to about 8*C only. I was wondering, is the lower distance thing caused just by the temperature of the golf ball, or does colder air not carry a shot as well? I’ve been (following a tip here) carrying a couple of golf balls in my pocket during each round, so I always have a ball at a good temperature for each tee shot, and it doesn’t get chance to get too cold (normally) before I finish the hole. I am assuming that this is preventing a lot of the distance loss, but wonder whether there is still some loss just from the fact that the air is cold even if the ball isn’t. Can anyone enlighten me? It would be nice to think I’ll get even a bit more distance when things warm up! 
TIA — Steve Walker Golfing since 12 May 98 http://www.skwalker.demon.co.uk/index.htm ICQ 5460992 Current hcp: 15.8
Response:
I was wondering, is the lower distance thing caused just by the temperature of the golf ball, or does colder air not carry a shot as well?
I think it’s some of each. Also, when I have to bundle up to stay warm, I can not make a full backswing, so I end up playing a lot of 3/4 shots. — John in NJ Email reply: replace "phi1232" with "jtbigg"
Response:
When the weather gets cold the golf balls change to the same temperature. Because of this they tend not to compress as well and tend not to feel as well off the face or fly as far. Higher quality wound balls stay fairly playable but those range balls OUCH! I’ve read here that shots tend not to travel as far in cold weather, but with some changes I’ve made to my stance/swing, and a new driver, I’m hitting the ball a lot further than I used to be, even though the temperatures round here have been from zero to about 8*C only. I was wondering, is the lower distance thing caused just by the temperature of the golf ball, or does colder air not carry a shot as well? I’ve been (following a tip here) carrying a couple of golf balls in my pocket during each round, so I always have a ball at a good temperature for each tee shot, and it doesn’t get chance to get too cold (normally) before I finish the hole. I am assuming that this is preventing a lot of the distance loss, but wonder whether there is still some loss just from the fact that the air is cold even if the ball isn’t. Can anyone enlighten me? It would be nice to think I’ll get even a bit more distance when things warm up! TIA — Steve Walker Golfing since 12 May 98 http://www.skwalker.demon.co.uk/index.htm ICQ 5460992 Current hcp: 15.8
Response:
Not to mention that as the weather gets colder you dress warmer which means additional layering of clothes. The more clothes you wear, the less freedom you have to swing. Also, the colder you get the less flexible you are. All are factors due to the cold weather. I find that I am up to 2 clubs difference in cold weather and my normal 245 yd drives dwindle down to just over 200. You just have to adjust your game to it. Now, what about cold and wind!! That is another subject all together. stymie
Response:
I was wondering, is the lower distance thing caused just by the temperature of the golf ball, or does colder air not carry a shot as well? I’ve been (following a tip here) carrying a couple of golf balls in my pocket during each round, so I always have a ball at a good temperature for each tee shot, and it doesn’t get chance to get too cold (normally) before I finish the hole. I am assuming that this is preventing a lot of the distance loss, but wonder whether there is still some loss just from the fact that the air is cold even if the ball isn’t. Can anyone enlighten me? It would be nice to think I’ll get even a bit more distance when things warm up!
I certainly notice this, I see a loss of up to 10% going from 85F to 55F. I don’t know if it is the temperature of the ball, the condition of the air, or the looseness of my muscles. It is probably partly all three. I just take more club and don’t worry about it. If I was in the UK where such weather was more common I might take the time to try and figure out what it was to maximize my cold weather distance, but around here there isn’t a very long cold weather season before it gets really cold and you can’t play golf any longer — but then if it is below 50F I won’t even consider it, there are a few diehards around here who go out when it is 32F or even lower… — Douglas Siebert Director of Computing Facilities If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
Response:
When the weather gets cold the golf balls change to the same temperature. Because of this they tend not to compress as well and tend not to feel as well off the face or fly as far. Higher quality wound balls stay fairly playable but those range balls OUCH!
I just got my December issue of Australian Golf Digest and it has a small article on this very subject titled "How cold affects balls". (The start of the Australian summer is an interesting time to publish this article … obviously comes from the US edition.) It quotes John Calabria, VP of R&D at Maxfli, as saying: "With a wound ball, you’ll lose about 2 yards for every 10-degree drop from 70