Cold Weather Golf: How to Play Smarter When the Temperature Drops
When Charley Hull arrived at Lake Nona for the LPGA Tour’s 2026 season opener, she encountered something that catches most Florida golfers off guard: freezing temperatures. In my fifteen years teaching golfers of all levels, I’ve noticed that cold weather challenges aren’t just about discomfort—they fundamentally change how your golf ball behaves, how your body performs, and most importantly, how you need to think about your game.
The good news? Understanding these changes gives you a massive advantage over golfers who ignore them. Let me walk you through what’s happening and, more importantly, how to adapt your game to score well when it’s cold.
Why Cold Air Changes Everything
Here’s the physics that matters to your scorecard: cold air is denser than warm air. That means less lift on your shots, less roll on the greens, and a golf ball that simply doesn’t travel as far. This isn’t something you can overcome with a harder swing—in fact, trying that usually makes things worse.
Charley Hull experienced this firsthand during her practice rounds. She hit a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous tournament, but needed a 4-iron for the identical shot during the cold snap. That’s not a mistake on her part—that’s the reality of cold weather golf.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first.”
You should expect to lose 5 to 10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. This isn’t optional information—it’s the foundation for everything else I’m about to teach you.
Club Selection: Ego Is Your Enemy
In my teaching experience, I see this mistake constantly: golfers stubbornly stick with their normal club selection in cold weather, telling themselves they’ll just hit it harder. That approach leads to thin shots, distance misses into bunkers, and frustration.
Here’s what actually works: take at least one extra club on every approach shot. When temperatures drop below 40 degrees, seriously consider taking two extra clubs. Yes, it feels strange. Yes, it might look odd to your playing partners. I promise you, coming up short in a greenside bunker feels much worse.
Try this drill at the range: On your next cold-weather practice session, lay down alignment sticks at your normal distances for 3 clubs—say, your 6-iron, 7-iron, and 8-iron. Hit balls with each club and mark where they land. You’ll see concrete evidence of the distance loss. Now, mark where a 5-iron lands in the same conditions. That visual proof makes it much easier to trust the extra club on the course.
The Warmth Factor: Protecting Your Swing Mechanics
Cold muscles are tight muscles. When your body temperature drops, your swing gets shorter and faster almost automatically. Your muscles literally can’t access their full range of motion. This restriction costs you distance, consistency, and accuracy.
I tell my students that layering isn’t a fashion choice in cold weather—it’s a performance requirement. The key is wearing multiple thin layers rather than one bulky jacket that restricts your rotation. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear designed to stretch with your swing. Hand warmers between shots help tremendously, and don’t underestimate how much body heat you lose through your head—a quality hat is essential.
But here’s the part many golfers miss: you need to warm up longer before your round. Cold weather doesn’t forgive lazy warm-ups.
Here’s your cold-weather warm-up protocol: Spend at least 20 minutes before your round. Start with dynamic stretching—arm circles, leg swings, and torso rotations. Then hit wedge shots at 50 percent effort to gradually increase your core temperature. Only after 10-15 minutes should you work up to your longer clubs and driver. On the course, keep moving between shots and do light stretching on the tee to maintain flexibility.
The Mental Game: Your Real Advantage
Charley Hull said something that stuck with me about cold weather golf:
“I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s exactly the perspective that separates golfers who struggle in cold conditions from those who thrive. Everyone on the course faces the same challenges. The player who stays patient and adjusts their expectations will find themselves ahead.
If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be an excellent score in 40-degree weather. This isn’t lowering your standards—it’s being realistic. Focus on solid contact and smart course management rather than chasing perfect shots. That mental shift relieves tremendous pressure and actually leads to better golf.
Don’t Forget the Greens
Cold affects putting in ways that catch many golfers off guard. The ball is harder in cold temperatures, meaning it doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, which numbs your feel. And if there’s any morning moisture on the greens, they’ll play much slower than usual.
“We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise.”
On cold greens, hit your putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line and maintain momentum. Take several extra practice strokes before you putt to develop a genuine feel for the speed in those conditions.
Cold weather golf isn’t something to dread—it’s an opportunity to refine your fundamentals and prove your adaptability. The fundamentals that work in cold conditions work everywhere. Focus on smart club selection, proper preparation, and a patient mindset, and you’ll find that your scores stay respectable no matter what the thermometer says.
