How Winter Weather Impacts Your Round of Golf
December 22, 2021
Let’s face the facts. After a few days of nasty winter weather, golfers are eager to return to the course at the brink of day. Unfortunately, the greatest damage to the golf course comes from the top layer of soil thawing while a frozen layer remains deeper below the turf. So, if you are accustomed to having the day's first drive off the opening tee box, you might find yourself waiting with others in the pro shop while play is delayed due to frost on the greens.
Deciding when to allow play is difficult to determine, but you should always wait for the course marshal before teeing it up. The problem comes from the greens that are covered with frost that can be damaged when walked on. Your foot pressure can cause minute ice crystals to puncture the blades of grass, especially in high traffic areas of the green, and leave footprints for a month around where the hole was that day.
Winter golf is still golf, which means you are only one shot away from it being an awesome day on the links. It does however require a bit of savvy, some knowledge of what to expect, and a little added preparation. If you play smart, you may become a true fan of winter golf. Nonetheless, it is important to take note as to how the colder conditions affect your golf ball, the distance of your clubs, and the rollout on the greens.
Golf Equipment Works Better in Warmer Conditions
Golf equipment works best in warmer weather that includes your clubs, balls, and muscles. Regardless of your toughness for adverse conditions, the cold reduces the elasticity of the metal in your clubs and the windings in your balls as well as the flexibility in core, leg, and upper body muscles. The biggest difference you will see is a huge lack of distance due to a less efficient transfer of energy. Since colder air is more dense, it produces more friction and drag against the ball.
During the winter months, golf equipment includes the multiple layers of clothing and cold-weather accessories_apparel you choose to wear. Making a full backswing wearing a puffy ski jacket can easily interfere with your swing, so "think thin" and wear insulated underwear with a long-sleeve tee and a pullover golf sweater. Since there are lots of leaves on the ground, make sure your shoes have the right cleats to keep your feet planted throughout the shot.
Custom-Fitted Equipment for Braving the Cold
If you choose to bundle up and brave the cold, it is important to adjust for the known loss of distance. Although there won’t be a huge difference in yardage when hitting the ball in cold weather, don’t get lazy when selecting your clubs. Golf is a game that rewards precision, so consider you will be about one club shorter when its 50 degrees outside. In general, you can expect to lose about two yards on your iron shot for every ten-degree drop in temperature.
Custom-fitted Krank fairway irons, drivers, and hybrids with precision manufactured components can make golf easier and more fun in any type of weather. Swinging a well-fitted club gives you the launch angle and spin control you need to avoid paying a heavy penalty for a less-than-perfect contact. Moreover, nothing will feel better off the tee box on a colder day than a Formula 11 X or Formula 11 XX driver fitted for your swing preferences.
Whether you know the exact driver configuration you want or feel clueless selecting golf club components for your game, try our FREE Swing Calculator. It only takes a few minutes to submit your swing details. Then, you will receive a prompt response from someone at Krank Golf who can assist with your specific needs.
