Does Hot Weather Really Make the Golf Ball Fly Further?

Every summer, when the temperature climbs above 30°C, I hear the same thing on the first tee:

"I don't know what's happened, George. My 7-iron has suddenly gone 10 metres further!"

Well, before you start booking your place on the Ryder Cup team, let's look at what the science actually says.

A golfer who normally hits a 7-iron 130 metres at 20°C might only gain around 1–2 metres of carry when the temperature rises to 35°C. That's because warm air is less dense than cold air, creating less resistance and allowing the ball to fly slightly further.

Likewise, if the temperature drops to 10°C, you might lose about a metre of carry.

Not exactly the dramatic difference many golfers imagine.

However, that's only half the story.

The bigger influence is often the golfer attached to the club.

At 35°C, most players arrive at the course wearing light clothing, muscles warmed up and moving freely. The swing feels smoother, the body turns better and there's generally a little more enthusiasm for life.

At 10°C, it's a different picture altogether.

You've got three layers on, your hands feel like they are frozen and your backswing is short and tight.

The golf ball might only be losing a metre because of the colder air, but the golfer could easily be losing several more because they can't turn properly, resulting in slower swings.

How much difference does tempreture make to distance is not an exact science but I try to remind everybody that this is where you have to be an athlete and use your feel to make the correct decision.

So yes, temperature does affect distance. The golf ball flies a little further in the heat and a little shorter in the cold.

But in most cases, the biggest variable isn't the weather.

It's the golfer.

I would leave you with this final thought,

Golfers are very quick to credit the sunshine when they hit one 10 metres further, but remarkably reluctant to blame the temperature when they come up 10 metres short.

Enjoy your golf this weekend,

George.