How cold is too cold for you?

For those who live in areas with 4 seasons and in the midst of this polar vortex, I'm curious to find out what your limits are? Generally, what are course conditions like and is a round even enjoyable?

I've been getting a round in each weekend and still found it comfortable and enjoyable. I would usually play a 9am round and the coldest it would be was around 40 and increasingly warmer as the round went on. I'm thinking that 40 degrees might be my cut off.

I live in the Boston area and I played 9 this morning when it was 20 degrees. I'll go lower than that if there's no wind and no snow. Winter golf is a different game, more fun in that the conditions make you try different shots. Plus, everyone's a big hitter. I drove a green on a par four this morning. Of course, I missed the eagle putt. Some things never change.

For me, it really depends on wind. I can play in 30 degrees if there's no wind (walking). Conversely, if it's 50 degrees and really windy I can't tolerate it.

I agree with 30 or so. Once the greens freeze the game is very different IMO.

In the Pacific Northwest, I will play down to about 38-40 degrees with no wind. When it is clear, often that means bone chilling wind chills in my area of portland. When it is raining, it's usually in the upper 40's low 50's which is manageable for me. We have a few tracks that drain well and can be played with a proper rain suit.

If the high for the day is above 40 I'm playing.

30*...maybe slightly less....temps not the issue so much as the ground freezing; bouncy ball golf=no fun.

I live in Western Kentucky, I play all year. Anytime temp above 35 and so long as the greens will receive the ball.. and the wind isn't brutal...

I'm with you, usually around 40 degrees.

Anything below 60* and I'm staying in... I obviously couldn't survive in most parts of the US!

Never played sub 40 but I'm desperate and want to this weekend.

Forecast: 30 degrees but no wind and sunny w/ no clouds. I'm desperate to get out. Looking to get a 9am round so starting temps look to be around 25 and increasing to 32*.

Anyone know if this is a major difference from my preference of 40* cutoff limit?

35 high for the day if it's sunny and no wind

35 high with wind below 20 mph. Played in 17 mph in 35 degree weather on 1/1 and hit a drive down wind 370

Has anyone else noticed a major change in swing consistency during cold rounds (25*-40*)? I normally shoot very well during the summer however this is the first winter I've decided to play and my game has gone to crap. Idk if its the cold, the extra clothes, or what, but I'm at a loss. My rounds have been horrendous in comparison.

[quote name='live2golf14' timestamp='1421382185' post='10755431']
Has anyone else noticed a major change in swing consistency during cold rounds (25*-40*)? I normally shoot very well during the summer however this is the first winter I've decided to play and my game has gone to crap. Idk if its the cold, the extra clothes, or what, but I'm at a loss. My rounds have been horrendous in comparison.
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Yeah mine too, I take it easy and dont keep my score or try to be too serious.


I remember my first year golfing I had it so bad I played whenever I could, I still remember playing in light snow and not even feeling it. Now the other day I was out there and it was 35 with a little wind and I was wondering what the heck I was doing out there.

So mine is about 40 with the sun out and low wind.

[quote name='Roody' timestamp='1420899282' post='10721135']
For me, it really depends on wind. I can play in 30 degrees if there's no wind (walking). Conversely, if it's 50 degrees and really windy I can't tolerate it.
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Totally agree with this assessment...I can play in the 20's if there is no wind but it could but significantly warmer than that with wind and its just intolerable

This is my first time playing real late into the offseason and I agree with everyone's assessments with as long as there is no wind, I'm comfortable. But I did experience for the first time... frozen ground + bouncing greens and I called it quits after 5 holes. I forgot to take these conditions into account and now I know I have to look at that aspect before I decide.

[quote name='moose557' timestamp='1420926095' post='10723297']
If the high for the day is above 40 I'm playing.
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I'm in the same boat. As long as the high is 40, I'll head out there... and sometimes it never actually reaches the high.

I recently purchased some of those Under Armour Cold Gear golf pants and they are amazing in cold weather. They are windproof/waterproof/insulated and cut like normal golf pants and not super thick. I played in the UK last fall on a 40 degree day in the rain and I was perfectly comfortable for the entire round. Just add some rain gloves (I don't like the winter gloves, so I'll wear FJ rain gloves if it's really cold) and a compression shirt, and you are good-to-go for cold weather without being super bundled up.

My rule is between wind, rain and cold, can't have all 3.

2 of the 3 is doable, but can't have all 3.

30's no wind. 50's with wind.

[quote name='Redstorm2011' timestamp='1420858023' post='10719485']
For those who live in areas with 4 seasons and in the midst of this polar vortex, I'm curious to find out what your limits are? Generally, what are course conditions like and is a round even enjoyable?

I've been getting a round in each weekend and still found it comfortable and enjoyable. I would usually play a 9am round and the coldest it would be was around 40 and increasingly warmer as the round went on. I'm thinking that 40 degrees might be my cut off.
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My minimum temperature has climbed over the past 20+ years. When I worked in the golf business (1992-2000) I would go out and play in upper 20's if it was sunny and no wind, or when wind chills felt around 25-30*. But now I tell people that my minimum temp is my age....48*.

I played this weekend when it was 58 and 30mph wind. It was not fun. On the other hand I have played in 35 with no wind and was comfortable.

So far we have played a weekend round up until 3 weeks ago. Make field in the 30's with wind, mercer oaks west and bedensbrook in the high 30's. The last was mountain view in the 30-40's but the greens were frozen so that was just no fun. A flask and 32 degree gloves help out too. This snow is not helping

I live in the Chicagoland area, and actually got out a month ago today. When I made the tee time at 9:00 in the morning (paid almost nothing on golfnow) it was almost 50 degrees.

Sure enough it was 38 when I got out there at 11:45. I made it 11 holes before I had to walk off due to catching two other groups. Breezing through the front 9 wasn't too bad, but once I had to stand around and wait on every shot enough was enough.

We played last week, found out something new. Rock salt placed in a frozen cup on Thursday takes care of the problem by Friday. Then you get two feet of snow on Tuesday.

When I'm at home in Chicago my limit is much different than when I'm at our place in Hilton Head. My friends and I used to get out and play in the 30's if sunny and not windy. Now that I'm spending most of my time in Hilton Head my blood must be getting thin because I can't stand playing when it's below 55 or so. My buddies know not to bother calling me if it dips below 60 on the weekends because I probably won't play.
I think it's mainly due to being able to play year round in Hilton Head. In Chicago if we had a "warm" day in the winter we couldn't wait to grab the clubs. In Hilton Head, if we have a cold weekend in the 40's or 50's in the winter, I don't bother playing because I know that the following weekend it will probably be nice (we average 60's in Dec and Jan) so the feeling of being "desperate" to play has gone away.

I'm in the opposite position. Next weeked we're heading down to Savannah to get away from the cold. At one point the extended forecast said 50 and i said, "that'll be wonderful".

[quote name='Fellow Competitor' timestamp='1422586921' post='10846047']
I'm in the opposite position. Next weeked we're heading down to Savannah to get away from the cold. At one point the extended forecast said 50 and i said, "that'll be wonderful".
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Yeah, it's been a little chilly here for the last week and a half or so. I haven't played in 3 weeks.
Playing Savannah Harbor? It's a great track and I highly recommend it.

50* and sunny or partly sunny is good for me.

Wind above 20 mph, or 10* cooler will keep me at home.

I have played many times after a frost delay. As long as the wind isn't blowing it can be pretty good. Especially when the sun is out.