As we approach winter, we can expect the weather conditions to be wet and cold across the UK. Being prepared for these conditions can give golfers an advantage out on the course.
You might already think it, but the weather can affect golf in a variety of different ways.
Temperature
You may not know this, but the air temperature can affect how far your golf ball travels.
There have been studies on how the temperature can affect distance. According to Trackman, for every 10-degree change in temperature you could gain or lose one yard.
In theory you could lose four yards if you’re playing in 40 degrees (F) as opposed to 80 degrees (F).
This is because cold air is denser than warm air and creates additional drag on the ball.
The temperature doesn’t only affect the ball but the golfers themselves. In colder weather it is nature that your muscles maybe colder meaning you might not hit the ball as far.
Wet Course VS Dry Course
As you might already have guessed rain can affect golfers in different ways.
When a course is wet from rain or due to poor drainage it can impact on golfer’s shot distance as the ball won’t ounce and carry after it has landed.
Not only does it affect the overall distance the ball has travelled but it can have effects on the golfer. Knowing the ball won’t bounce, golfers will select a lower club to gain the lost yardage from a saturated course.
It’s also said that rain on the club face can reduce friction between the ball and golf club meaning the ball won’t travel as far. Although the decrease in distance from this could be negligible.
Wind
Wind can affect your golf shots in three different ways: Headwind, Tailwind and Crosswind.
Firstly, we need to understand how each different type of wind can affect carry distance or the line the ball travels.
Just so you can understand the below information clearly, all these shots will be using a 6-iron. Different clubs could produce different results.
Headwind means you are hitting a ball into oncoming wind. As you can imagine, the stronger the head headwind, the more distance you will lose. Hitting a ball into a 20mph headwind could mean losing 30-yards on your carry distance.
A tailwind will help to carry the ball further because it’s moving in the same direction as the golf ball. Tailwinds can help gain extra yards. If you hit a golf ball with a 20mph tailwind you could see your carry distance increase by 12-yards.
Crosswind has a different effect on a golf ball. Not only does it affect the carry distance, but it can change the line the ball travels. Image if you struck two balls identically, the one with no wind would stay on-line. Now imagine you hit the same shot with a 20mph crosswind, this could deviate the ball 81 feet to the side depending on the direction of the wind.
Sources:
3 ways weather affects the sport of golf | AccuWeather
How does the Wind Effect Your Golf Shots? | Philippe Bonfanti Golf
