Keeping up with golf year-round can be challenging if you live where the weather changes. Going to the range and practicing when the sun is out and the snow has melted is okay. But how smart is that in cold weather?
You should not hit a driver when it is below freezing (32°F or 0°C). This is because golf balls can freeze. When they do, they become hard like rocks and no longer compress. Additionally, hitting frozen golf balls can damage your driver.
Let’s talk more about hitting your driver at different temperatures. I’ll discuss how cold temperatures affect your driver, the golf ball, and your overall performance while training.
Optimal Temperature for Hitting a Driver
There are a few factors to consider regarding temperature and using your driver. While there is no set temperature to avoid, there are a few things to remember before going out there on a cold day.
Cold Temperatures Are Likely to Stiffen the Driver
One important factor to consider when hitting a driver is the flex. Whether you choose regular, stiff, or even extra stiff, this can change when the temperature is very low. Stiffer drivers may not change all that much, but drivers with a good amount of flex in them may stiffen if the weather is below freezing.
This is not a definite change. Depending on the flex, material, and the driver’s temperature, you may not see any difference in your driver’s performance. A club left in a cold car overnight will be a lot colder than one brought from your warm home right to the course. So, the outside temperature doesn’t matter as much as how long you expose your driver to it.
Freezing Temperatures Make Golf Balls Rock-Hard
The real risk of hitting your driver in low temperatures is your golf balls. Every golf ball has a level of compression, high or low, that helps it respond to your swing. Golf balls compress and expand when you hit them and compress when they are cold.
This means that if you expose your golf balls to cold temperatures for a long period, they can become very hard.
If this happens, the ball will not go as far as it should, but it may also do some damage to your driver. Imagine hitting a rock with your driver. It would leave behind a mark because drivers should not hit something that hard. So, your driver may chip or even dent if you hit a ball that has compressed too much due to low temperatures.
Cold Air Reduces the Distance the Ball Can Travel
The temperature you hit your driver in can also impact how far or how well the ball travels. Even if your driver and golf ball are not cold enough to affect their performance, you may still run into issues with the air.
As the air gets colder, it becomes denser. This can change how far your ball travels when you hit it. The density of the cold air can make it more difficult for your ball to travel as far. So, even if your driver and ball are in great condition, the air itself can cut several yards off your drive.
Final Thoughts
You should not hit your driver if the temperature is below freezing. With any temperature above that, you can judge whether it is worth spending a day out in the cold to practice your shot.
Remember, if the weather is too cold, your body may stiffen. So, make sure you stretch and warm up before swinging your driver in the cold.