Temperature and Golf Ball Performance: What Every Golfer Should Know
By Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D., Noted Equipment Reviewer & Director, Professional Golf Teachers Association of America (PGTAA)
Golfers often underestimate the impact of temperature on golf ball performance. Yet, temperature—both the air temperature and the temperature of the golf ball itself—plays a major role in distance, feel, and trajectory.
When the air is colder, it becomes denser. That denser air increases drag and lift on the golf ball, resulting in shots that fly slightly higher and come up shorter. The effect is subtle—but real. A cold day can quietly shave yards off every club in your bag.
Cold Balls = Lost Distance
It’s not just the air. The ball’s internal materials become less resilient when cold, reducing its initial velocity off the clubface. The ball simply doesn’t compress and rebound with the same energy it does at normal temperatures.
On the other end of the spectrum, excessive heat can soften the materials and change performance as well.
We recommend storing your golf balls indoors at room temperature year-round and avoiding leaving them in extreme temperatures.
Practical Tip for Cold Rounds
If you’re playing in cold weather, rotate balls hole-by-hole:
– Keep one in your pocket to warm it slightly.
– Switch each hole.
This keeps each ball closer to ideal playing temperature—legally.
How Much Distance Will You Lose?
You lose about 1.5% of distance for every 20°F drop in temperature. For example, a 200-yard shot at 70°F becomes approximately 197 yards at 50°F.
Should You Switch to a Lower Compression Ball in Cold Weather? Modern balls aren’t sold in variable compressions like wound balls of the past. If your ball is room temperature, there is no need to switch.
Change your golf ball, and you change every shot in your bag.
PGTAA Takeaway
Cold weather will reduce distance — but proper ball care and awareness go a long way. Keep your golf balls warm, manage expectations, and make smart club selections.
