Jump to content

Temperature and ball compression


rowjow

Recommended Posts

I recently got some new irons and thought I may have lost distance with them vs my old irons. However, I was thinking on 'summer yardages' for my old irons.

 

Is there much difference in how far the ball will go in winter vs summer. At the moment my course is... wet and roughly playing in 8*c as opposed to a very dry course which is 20/25*c in summer.

 

Would these difference in temperatures make a difference? I seem to have lost maybe 10 yards.. however I am getting little to no roll out. I also assume a colder wind will have a larger affect on the ball when into the wind..

 

 

Any info on the differences temperature has would be great..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 13
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

The greater density of cold air costs you distance, if I recall correctly it is about 5% distance for every 15F (8C) of temperature difference. So that could possibly be as much as 10% total for the temperature you mentioned, just due to the air density.

There is also a smaller loss of distance due to the golf ball being less resilient but that's less of a concern for two reason. First off, the distance difference due to ball temperature is about half as much as the effect of air temperature. Also, if you store the golf balls in your house or other warm place then keep in them in your pocket until putting them in play it takes a couple hours for their internal temperature to equal the surroundings.

Tom Watson used to have Bruce give him a fresh ball every couple of holes and keep the unused balls in the same pocket with hand warmers. Watson claims to have cleared this with the USGA and been told that as long as you did not have the handwarmer specifically for keeping the balls heated it was OK to keep them together in yours or your caddie's pocket.

Other effects include swinging differently with extra layers of clothing and the fact that winter is often wetter and windier than the warmer months.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='rowjow' timestamp='1329341072' post='4292909']
I recently got some new irons and thought I may have lost distance with them vs my old irons. However, I was thinking on 'summer yardages' for my old irons.

Is there much difference in how far the ball will go in winter vs summer. At the moment my course is... wet and roughly playing in 8*c as opposed to a very dry course which is 20/25*c in summer.

Would these difference in temperatures make a difference? I seem to have lost maybe 10 yards.. however I am getting little to no roll out. I also assume a colder wind will have a larger affect on the ball when into the wind..


Any info on the differences temperature has would be great..
[/quote]

Because cold air is denser than warm air, distance loss of up to 1 1/2 clubs will be seen at temps of 5*C ( 41* F). as opposed to 30*C (86* F). In your case 10 yards loss would seem right at 8*C or 46* F
Almost all distance loss is caused by increased air densityand little of it can be attributed to the golf ball itself.

R11S 8* square; Stock stiff
Maltby KE4 14* 3w , Axe Excaliber R flex tipped 1"
RBZ 25* hb; RBZstage 2 19* hb
Mizuno MP30 5 - PW, AXE Excaliber stiff, Hogan Apex PC E Wedge (50*) TT DG s300
GM Never Compromise GM2 putter
54*, 58* TM TP wedges 3* flat

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also I have found my swing is better tuned mid-season than it is during the winter....even if I go down to a warm weather climate for a weekend in the winter, after not playing for months, I find I'm not as long or straight as I am when I am playing once a week and going to the range a bit.

Ping G30 Tour 65
Callaway XR Pro 3 Wood
Callaway Xhot 3 and 4 Hybrid
Callaway XR 5-AW - Recoil 680 F4 shafts
Vokey 60 degree
STX Putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1329341566' post='4292993']
The greater density of cold air costs you distance, if I recall correctly it is about 5% distance for every 15F (8C) of temperature difference. So that could possibly be as much as 10% total for the temperature you mentioned, just due to the air density.

There is also a smaller loss of distance due to the golf ball being less resilient but that's less of a concern for two reason. First off, the distance difference due to ball temperature is about half as much as the effect of air temperature. Also, if you store the golf balls in your house or other warm place then keep in them in your pocket until putting them in play it takes a couple hours for their internal temperature to equal the surroundings.

Tom Watson used to have Bruce give him a fresh ball every couple of holes and keep the unused balls in the same pocket with hand warmers. Watson claims to have cleared this with the USGA and been told that as long as you did not have the handwarmer specifically for keeping the balls heated it was OK to keep them together in yours or your caddie's pocket.

Other effects include swinging differently with extra layers of clothing and the fact that winter is often wetter and windier than the warmer months.
[/quote]
While the info you mention regarding golf balls was true in Tom Watson's day, it is less so today. In fact, Titleist claims its balls are unaffected at all by temperature change.
I have heard conflicting stories on the hand warmer thing though. Seems to me that while it is okay to use them to keep hands warm, it is not okay to keep balls warm with them, even if the warmer is pulling double duty.
Perhaps someone more rules oriented could chime in?

R11S 8* square; Stock stiff
Maltby KE4 14* 3w , Axe Excaliber R flex tipped 1"
RBZ 25* hb; RBZstage 2 19* hb
Mizuno MP30 5 - PW, AXE Excaliber stiff, Hogan Apex PC E Wedge (50*) TT DG s300
GM Never Compromise GM2 putter
54*, 58* TM TP wedges 3* flat

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm always shorter in the winter. Usually between one and two clubs depending on how cold the temperature is and how many extra layers of clothing I'm wearing. I don't know where you're located but I know when my buddies and I go to Florida in the dead of winter for a few days of golf we love the immediate extra distance we get. Warm air, no extra layers and dry, firm fairways.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Might I ask what part of England? Just curious. I love the southeast coast but the people up north (Liverpool-Leeds-Scarborough latitude) were very friendly on my one trip there and there are some real gems among the links and non-links courses. Other parts of the country are still a bit of a mystery to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Over the last 2 years I have developed and tweaked a very simple table, and it has proven itself quite accurate so far (even though it's not fully scientific).

I am attaching the excel that use to see what my distances should be given the temparature (if someone wants to steal with pride, just update the blue column with your distances for a normal summer day (shouldn't be too different from 25*) and the rest of the table is calculation.

Has worked for me, try it... may work for you as well.




9.5° Ping i20 Diamana Ahina 70x
13.5° Mizuno MP-CLK Diamana Ahina 80x
17° Mizuno MP-CLK hybrid Stock x shaft
Miura Babyblades 3-P Project X 6.2 Tour
Miura 53° and 59° 1957 series
Miura KM-005 putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've always wondered about things like this, I knew there was definitely an effect, but I just wondered how much. It was interesting watching the match play champs this year and the yardage calcs they were doing based on Altitude and temps. Phenomenal stuff guys. Thank you. einstein.gifgood.gif

Callaway X2 Hot Pro - Tour Green 65x
R11 TP - 18.5* - Project X Black 6.5
Titleist AP2 - 710 - 3-PW - Proj. X Flig 6.0
Cleveland 588 CB RTX - 50* - S400
Cleveland CG14 Tour Issues 54/58 - S400
Scotty Cameron - Studio Newport 1.5

"Greatness Courts Failure, Romeo"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Jarri' timestamp='1333104775' post='4611723']
Over the last 2 years I have developed and tweaked a very simple table, and it has proven itself quite accurate so far (even though it's not fully scientific).

I am attaching the excel that use to see what my distances should be given the temparature (if someone wants to steal with pride, just update the blue column with your distances for a normal summer day (shouldn't be too different from 25*) and the rest of the table is calculation.

Has worked for me, try it... may work for you as well.
[/quote]
Great post!

Srixon ZX5 9* driver: Tensei CK Pro Blue
Ping G410 2h, 3h, 4h: Tensei CK Pro Blue
Srixon ZX7 5-PW: Recoil 95 (HS + lead tape)
Titleist Vokey SM7 50, 54, 58: Recoil 110
Rife Cayman (+tungsten powder)
Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Discussion and links to Photos
      Please put any questions or Comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Thorbjorn Olesen - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ben Silverman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jesse Droemer - SoTX PGA Section POY - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      David Lipsky - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Martin Trainer - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Zac Blair - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jacob Bridgeman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Trace Crowe - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jimmy Walker - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Daniel Berger - WITB(very mini) - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Chesson Hadley - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Callum McNeill - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Rhein Gibson - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Patrick Fishburn - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Peter Malnati - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Raul Pereda - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Tom Hoge's custom Cameron - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Piretti putters - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ping putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Kevin Dougherty's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Bettinardi putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Tony Finau's new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
       
      • 7 replies
    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies

×
×
  • Create New...