Cold Weather Golf Balls

[nbg352]

[quote name='MarkFromTheUK' timestamp='1326238037' post='4060015']
[quote name='nbg352' timestamp='1326212611' post='4055889']
They say you should keep the balls in a warm place until you are ready to play and then keep a few in a warm pocket, switching among them often during the round.
However, the mfg's say that cold doesn't affect the ball's hardness or playability, per se, but cold air itself slows the ball down quicker because cold air is denser than warm air. So the ball doesn't go as far.
Cold temps do affect our clubs, though, tightening the molecular structure, making it somewhat stiffer and less flexible. Off centre hits with a normal compression ball feel harsher than in warmer weather. A low compression ball feels better because it is normally softer than the balls we usually play.
[/quote]

Of course ball manufacturers would say that it's cold air and not the composition of the ball that decreases distance in the winter. No manufacturer would ever admit that their ball fails to perform as it should in certain conditions. All balls will travel a slightly shorter distance in cold weather, but if a ball comes off the face slightly less hot due to it not being compressed at impact, the result will be magnified by the time the ball comes to rest.

People should (in the main) disregard what manufacturers say. They're in it for themselves, to sell as much equipment as possible, particularly to those gullible enough to believe their claims. The only way to know for sure is to test equipment for yourself, then make an educated decision. I'd be more inclined to take the word of hundreds of independent posters on this site than manufacturers with ulterior motives.
[/quote]

How about the science of temperature and molecular change, Mark, does that even interest you? Or are you so focused on convincing us all that all manufacturers file false claims about all products all the time, that you lost sight of the fact that science doesn't lie.
Fact is, a golf ball will lose distance by up to 10% simply due to cold dense air.
Figured into your normal 300 yd carries, that translates to over 30 yards on a centre hit. Factor in the fact that molecular change has also altered the physical characteristics of the club you swing, accounting for another 5% change and you've got a normally degraded winter short shot off the tee, without even factoring in any physical change to the golf ball, itself.
And no, Mark, people shouldn't always disregard Mfg. claims. At least not until they've been proven false. One last thing, if I may. Golf balls of yesteryear......wound balata ballls with liquid centres, for example. did respond to cold. In fact, they would freeze. By comparison, today's balls are barely affected.

[nbg352]

[quote name='npark' timestamp='1326237186' post='4059939']
[quote name='nbg352' timestamp='1326212611' post='4055889']
They say you should keep the balls in a warm place until you are ready to play and then keep a few in a warm pocket, switching among them often during the round.
However, the mfg's say that cold doesn't affect the ball's hardness or playability, per se, but cold air itself slows the ball down quicker because cold air is denser than warm air. So the ball doesn't go as far.
Cold temps do affect our clubs, though, tightening the molecular structure, making it somewhat stiffer and less flexible. Off centre hits with a normal compression ball feel harsher than in warmer weather. A low compression ball feels better because it is normally softer than the balls we usually play.
[/quote]


While I am not a physicist, metallurgist or otherwise, it seems to defy common sense that cold tightens the molecular structure of a metal iron but would not do the same to a composite golf ball...am I wrong?
[/quote]

please google this exactly....Golf Balls and Cold Weather.
Thanks

[tesuquegolfer]

I have played a few rounds recently in the low 40s and I like the Wilson 50s and the Srixon Soft Feel. I normally play a Pro V1 or V1x with a Driver Swing Speed of ~105 but felt like I was losing distance in the cold temps. I like the feel of the 50s and Soft Feels and feel like the distance is closer to my summer distances. I haven't noticed any loss of spin when the greens are receptive either. I like the price too, ~$13/dozen.

[npark]

[quote name='nbg352' timestamp='1326240670' post='4060351']
[quote name='npark' timestamp='1326237186' post='4059939']
[quote name='nbg352' timestamp='1326212611' post='4055889']
They say you should keep the balls in a warm place until you are ready to play and then keep a few in a warm pocket, switching among them often during the round.
However, the mfg's say that cold doesn't affect the ball's hardness or playability, per se, but cold air itself slows the ball down quicker because cold air is denser than warm air. So the ball doesn't go as far.
Cold temps do affect our clubs, though, tightening the molecular structure, making it somewhat stiffer and less flexible. Off centre hits with a normal compression ball feel harsher than in warmer weather. A low compression ball feels better because it is normally softer than the balls we usually play.
[/quote]


While I am not a physicist, metallurgist or otherwise, it seems to defy common sense that cold tightens the molecular structure of a metal iron but would not do the same to a composite golf ball...am I wrong?
[/quote]

please google this exactly....Golf Balls and Cold Weather.
Thanks

[/quote]



Ok I did that search verbatim and nothing came up in regards to "tightening the molecular structure" of anything much less the clubs. There was plenty of info on higher compression balls losing distance (which seems to be the consensus in this thread) and that keeping the balls warm makes a difference...however nothing about the clubs being a part distance loss or people wanting to keep the clubs warm to fend of this 'tightening'

Furthermore I did a search for "golf clubs and cold weather" and found nothing to suggest that a cold club is the culprit. I am not trying to start a holy war just looking for info. Thanks


er

[nbg352]

[quote name='npark' timestamp='1326247853' post='4061415']
[quote name='nbg352' timestamp='1326240670' post='4060351']
[quote name='npark' timestamp='1326237186' post='4059939']
[quote name='nbg352' timestamp='1326212611' post='4055889']
They say you should keep the balls in a warm place until you are ready to play and then keep a few in a warm pocket, switching among them often during the round.
However, the mfg's say that cold doesn't affect the ball's hardness or playability, per se, but cold air itself slows the ball down quicker because cold air is denser than warm air. So the ball doesn't go as far.
Cold temps do affect our clubs, though, tightening the molecular structure, making it somewhat stiffer and less flexible. Off centre hits with a normal compression ball feel harsher than in warmer weather. A low compression ball feels better because it is normally softer than the balls we usually play.
[/quote]


While I am not a physicist, metallurgist or otherwise, it seems to defy common sense that cold tightens the molecular structure of a metal iron but would not do the same to a composite golf ball...am I wrong?
[/quote]

please google this exactly....Golf Balls and Cold Weather.
Thanks

[/quote]



Ok I did that search verbatim and nothing came up in regards to "tightening the molecular structure" of anything much less the clubs. There was plenty of info on higher compression balls losing distance (which seems to be the consensus in this thread) and that keeping the balls warm makes a difference...however nothing about the clubs being a part distance loss or people wanting to keep the clubs warm to fend of this 'tightening'

Furthermore I did a search for "golf clubs and cold weather" and found nothing to suggest that a cold club is the culprit. I am not trying to start a holy war just looking for info. Thanks


er
[/quote]

Please read what this site has to say. [url="http://www.lifeintherough.com/2008/02/16/golf-balls-and-cold-weather/"]http://www.lifeintherough.com/2008/02/16/golf-balls-and-cold-weather/[/url] and then this one.[url="http://www.golflink.com/list_1578_best-golf-balls-cold-weather.html"]http://www.golflink.com/list_1578_best-golf-balls-cold-weather.html[/url] Take from them what you will. I can't find anything specific to golf clubs....
And accept my apology for making you feel like you may be involved in WWIII. Certainly not my intent.

[3 putt Charlie]

So in summary it seems the group says you need to keep your gamers warm in the house before you play because it takes six hours for the core to reach ambient temp. A hand warmer in the pocket is illegal. And some lower compression balls seem to perform better.

How about putting your gamers for today in warm water for awhile to heat up the core before you play? Is that also against the rules of golf?

[nbg352]

[quote name='3 putt Charlie' timestamp='1326554713' post='4083097']
So in summary it seems the group says you need to keep your gamers warm in the house before you play because it takes six hours for the core to reach ambient temp. A hand warmer in the pocket is illegal. And some lower compression balls seem to perform better.

How about putting your gamers for today in warm water for awhile to heat up the core before you play? Is that also against the rules of golf?
[/quote]


It's good to start with a room temp ball and have other warm ones in your pocket. Because it just feels better than cold golf balls do.
As to the warming question, I really think it would take pretty warm water over many hours to affect the core of a golf ball.And then, like cold penetrating to the core after six hours or so, the effect on the ball itself would affect performance on ly minimally.
Warm, low compression balls feel good in cold temps. But, unlike the old days of wound balata balls with liquid cores that would freeze, today's lower compression warm balls rotated out of warm pockets, do not provide enough increase in performance to make the excercise worthwhile.

[78blades]

I played in temps of high 30's with "thick" air Sat. with the Wilson DUO that I hadn't warmed and I still got my distances. (lol) the only balls I'm worried about keeping warm, well you guys know what I'm talk'n about.

[DBake]

[quote name='3fiddyz' timestamp='1319282045' post='3704217']
Handwarmer in the pocket and a spare ball or wrapped up in a sock in the ball....
[/quote]

I believe and am pretty sure this is against the USGA rules, so if you are doing this in a posting season you are breaking the rules and your handicap index is not correct.

[78blades]

[quote name='DBake' timestamp='1327037835' post='4122737']
[quote name='3fiddyz' timestamp='1319282045' post='3704217']
Handwarmer in the pocket and a spare ball or wrapped up in a sock in the ball....
[/quote]

I believe and am pretty sure this is against the USGA rules, so if you are doing this in a posting season you are breaking the rules and your handicap index is not correct.
[/quote]


You are correct, however they don't make that big of a difference b/c they don't warm the core. Just get a low compression ball like Laddy Xtreme or my favorite Wilson DUO, they work much better and no gimmicks.

[Kadin 25]

Well guys you got me convinced to try the Wilson 50/50's. I found some online in optic yellow, so I bought two dozen to give a try. I have been playing the Srixon TriSpeed this winter and have been pleased. I just keep them in my pocket and seem to have no issues with distance. I live in the North West corner of Indiana so unfortunately we have snow on the ground right now. I am hoping to get out next week and give the Wislons a try. I got out twice in the first week of January but the snow has put a damper on golf here in Hoosier town USA.

Off topic what have you guys been using to mark your yellow's. I always used a red Sharpie on my White's but that doesn't work that well on the yellow's. The Sharpie responds like it's writing on wax paper. I have just recently switched to yellow...Thanks!

[rcaddell23]

It was in the 40's today so I put the NXT in play instead of my usual Pro v1x.... huge difference in distance!!! Learn something new everyday.

[Kadin 25]

Well I got 9 in yesterday...it was 35* out no wind. Snow around the greens and still very hard.

Played the Wilson 50 Elite, kept em in my poket and I gotta tell ya they might be the best winter ball I've played.

If you haven't tried them yet you might be missing out.

[crazyhawk]

the Nike PD soft is OK as well.anything softer for me just feels too soft off the driver even in cold weather.

[78blades]

[quote name='Ondeck25' timestamp='1327585096' post='4155103']
Well I got 9 in yesterday...it was 35* out no wind. Snow around the greens and still very hard.

Played the Wilson 50 Elite, kept em in my poket and I gotta tell ya they might be the best winter ball I've played.

If you haven't tried them yet you might be missing out.
[/quote]


If you think think the 50 Elite is great then you will be absolutely blown away by the Wilson DUO.

[erock9174]

I played some dt solos yesterday. It was the 40's most of my round. My driver ss is 84 mph. My average drive on in normal weather is right around 205. I marked all my drives and most were 200 with one at 229. Par 3s were a 6i for me and they both ended up within a foot of the ball mark. Greens were pretty soggy though. I liked the ball and plan on using it in warm weather too.

[erock9174]

Forgot to mention in my last post. I was using the 2012 yellow dt solo