Does playing in cold weather help or hurt your game?

I always play the best in cold weather for some reason. i beat my dad in hail and 30 mile hour winds. i shot an 81. We played in that weather because we took a trip to california and did not want the weather to slow us down 

for some odd reason i seem to play better in slightly rougher weather as well.  a little more wind or a little rain seems to help.  the colder weather does seem to take something off the carry of the ball, but like you said grumpy the roll gets some help.  and you're not the only one that gets the sting.  wearing the cold weather gloves helps me, and believe me, i need all the help i can get.

I have played in the  cold weather and as long as I am dressed warm and keep at least one ball in my pocket for  the tee shot, I find that while it doesn't go quite as far, it still goes farther than if I play with one that has been exposed to the cold continually. The warmer the ball the betterit responds. One of the guys I used to play with kept a small hand warmer in the ball pouch of his bag that seemed to work darn nice. As to the stinging of the hands, I never experienced that, but have heard of others who have. Maybe one of the others can explain why it happens. It may be due to the grip pressure you are using???

I wouldn't say it hurts my game, it just changes the way you approach the game. Your shot selection changes; more club, more bump and run shots for instance.

Just remember, any golf you can play is better than not playing at all!

eagle3

I have played in the  cold weather and as long as I am dressed warm and keep at least one ball in my pocket for  the tee shot, I find that while it doesn't go quite as far, it still goes farther than if I play with one that has been exposed to the cold continually. The warmer the ball the betterit responds. One of the guys I used to play with kept a small hand warmer in the ball pouch of his bag that seemed to work darn nice. As to the stinging of the hands, I never experienced that, but have heard of others who have. Maybe one of the others can explain why it happens. It may be due to the grip pressure you are using???

eagle,  you mention grip pressure and when you think back to being young and hitting a baseball (when i seldom actually hit one)  the sting in the hands and fingers always came when the grip pressure was light and always  increased when fall came and the temperature started to fall.  it's got to be the same with the vibration through the shaft of the club, and the fact that we don't want to have a death grip on the club i would say the chance of STINGGGGGGG is much higher.

The stinging you refer to is the vibrations from the shot when you catch it thin.  The vibrations are still there in warmer weather when you catch one thin, but they are less noticeable since your hands are not cold and therefore more tender and responsive. 

I don't know how much grip pressure affects how the vibrations are felt but I would agree with a light grip it may be worse (more wiggle room for the club).

A way to combat the sting you feel when you catch the ball thin (besides not hitting it thin), is to try your best to keep your clubs, hands and golf balls warm.  If the clubs are cold, they aren't able to absorb as much of the impact as you are used to, therefore, you feel it a lot more.  You could try using your rain cover and some towels around them to keep them on the somewhat warmer side...

Any time on the course is great. I like the colder weather while I am walking, it's easy to stay warm. 

 

As long as I don't have to wear bulky clothing it is ok.

I agree that it changes the way I approach my round, I won't say I play better or worse.  I personally enjoy playing in adverse conditions every once in a while to give a new challenge

cwaybright

I agree that it changes the way I approach my round, I won't say I play better or worse.  I personally enjoy playing in adverse conditions every once in a while to give a new challenge

Exactly my thoughts.

Interesting question... I'll say I play pretty much the same for the most part, maybe a little better.

I too keep a warm ball in my pocket, because it does help distance. The hands sting from time to time as well, but I really don't pay it much mind.

What does frost me (no pun intended), is that I play every round with a little angst, because here in Michigan it could be the final round of the season. Lat year I had a tee time scheduled on Saturday and we had 5 inches of snow, which meant the course closed for the year. That's their rule; we close at the first snow, regardless of the date.

So this time of year, when I ride around and take in the sights and smells of the fall, I'm always a little reflective. I think about the year and how I've played. I take in the color. I enjoy every sight and sound. I think about my trips to the beach and all my friends. I also think about my buddies that aren't around anymore, since I've lost 3 playing friends in the last 3 years. And while I do all this it's kind of hard to think about the golf, which is what makes it a bigger pleasure than when the hard core season is going on.

And so I play a tad bit better. 

grumpy,

I didn't know this existed until I did a little search but it looks like FJ makes a glove designed specifically to reduce vibrations felt that cause the stinging you were referring to.

http://www.edwinwattsgolf.com/golf-equipment_footjoy_footjoy-shock-stopper-cabretta-leather-gloves_10001_10001_101274_-1_1133.htm

Might be worth a shot if you have that issue....

Agree that it changes the way I play the game, but enjoy gettting out and playing on a clod sunny day. Only time it can be a pain is if the course does not keep up with the falling leaves, finding your ball can be a real challenge.

The cold weather makes you appreciate the warmer days. One good thing about cold weather is there are less people on the course.

A negative in cold weather is you might miss some football but with my team (Titans) starting 0-4 I will be playing more on Sunday afternoons.

OUTIGER is right, anytime you can play is nice.  I generally don't worry about the results of playing in the cold, I just get out and take some swings to keep my swing in check.

Just getting on the course in the cold months is a bonus for me here in Michigan