October brings relief to golfers in North America as temperatures start to cool down after the summer heat. For those in the Southwest, where scorching temperatures have been prevalent, the drop in temperature is a welcome change. It is a great time to enjoy as much golf as possible before the weather gets too cold.
On a recent episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast, the hosts discussed how extreme temperatures can impact golf balls. According to co-host Gene Parente, golf balls start to degrade below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. To prevent this, golfers are advised to keep their golf balls indoors during extreme temperature changes to maintain their performance on the course.
A study conducted by GOLF Top 100 instructor Andrew Rice found that golfers lose approximately two yards with each club in their bag for every 10-degree drop in temperature below 75 degrees. Conversely, golfers gain two yards with every club for every 10-degree increase above 75 degrees. The study used a TrackMan launch monitor to capture the data at a Coach Camp conference in 2018.
Rice’s findings show that the decrease in distance is consistent across clubs, with the pitching wedge experiencing a carry delta of only 1.3 yards per 10-degree drop in temperature. The data highlights the impact of temperature changes on golf ball performance and distance on the course.
To help golfers maintain consistent distances, it is recommended to store golf balls indoors during extreme temperature changes, whether in the winter or summer months. This simple practice can prevent headaches on the course and ensure optimal performance with each club.
Jonathan Wall, Golf.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment, emphasizes the importance of understanding how temperature changes affect golf ball performance. Wall covers equipment for the PGA Tour and is dedicated to providing insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. He can be reached at jonathan.wall@golf.com for additional information or inquiries.
