Cold weather golf.

[Moonlightgrm]

Do you change to a lower compression golf ball in colder weather? I play the Pro V1X throughout the spring and summer months and don't see a need to change just because the temperature drops. That said, is there any truth to the "rumor" that a very low compression golf ball performs better in the colder weather?

[Hot Rod 71]

You'll hear both sides of the debate. I've played my normal ball and lower compression balls in cold weather.

For me the lower compression ball feels a little better (softer), but performance isn't really much different.

Just for the record, I normally play a Srizon Z-Star XV or TM Lethal.

[golfdad907]

I use a lower compression ball in cold temps just because it feels better. I use Chrome when under about 60 to 65 and Chrome+ when warmer. Mostly notice difference when in the 50s and colder, in feel. Performance about same.

[boxerjoe2011]

It sure feels better to play the regular ProV when it's 45 degrees outside. Having said that, I haven't noticed a performance difference when playing the X during cold weather. You just have to make extra effort to stay warm and loose. It's difficult to swing as hard as you do in warm weather.

[marmooskapaul]

I sometimes switch from prov1 to Bridgestone e6. For me I get more height and little more distance from my irons....from the e6...when it's colder. I do lose distance when it's cold....and I can't afford to lose anymore...lol
Paul

[Bonneville85308]

I generally use cheaper/crappier balls (ones I find in the woods, etc.) rather than better ones in the winter, simply because my score generally doesn't matter in the winter and it's easier to lose them in leaves, snow piles, etc. If temporary greens are in effect, feel on putting doesn't really matter anyway.

I have a slower swing speed, and it seems like ProV1s go nowhere when it's cold for me. In the summer they perform normally.

[ode1]

Played several rounds in the low 40's and one day w/ the reel feel in the low 30's due to wind and played my regular ball w/ no ill effects on performance. I see no reason to change. IMO distance loss is mainly due to being layered up and the body potentially being less limber due to layers and cold, therefor a slight loss in swing speed. I never understood why a low compression ball wouldn't be impacted just as much as a higher compression ball due to cold weather, but ??

[mr_divots]

If you're kind of a 'tweener as far as swing speed, the slight loss of swing speed with added clothing and cold weather making muscles a little tighter might have you compressing the lower compression variant a little better late in the season. Just had this convo with a playing partner today about PV1 vs PV1X.

[glk23]

I switch every year around this time to low compression 2 piece balls as I like a softer feel. The balls I love when it is above 60, feel way too firm when it's 40-50*. Where I play, balls that spin a lot just aren't needed for most of the fall/ winter. Played today in soft conditions and about 55* using a Wilson 50 Elite. One of my playing partners was playing his standard Pro v1 and kept complaining about coming up short, loss of distance and firmer feeling ball. Tried a couple of times to talk him into trying some of the better 2 piece balls.

I have posted on this topic many times before and usually say the same thing. If you play in colder and softer conditions for almost half a year, there are plenty of quality, inexpensive balls out there. Since I like a softer feeling ball, some of my favorites are TF D2 Feels, Wilson Zip/ 50 Elites and Noodle+. The truth is though I will probably play 6-7 different kinds of 2 piece balls during the off season.

[CafecitoHippo]

I switched this weekend from my normal TM Lethal to play a Bridgestone E5. I liked how it felt (a little softer feeling) but still performed pretty well around the greens. Doesn't seem to spin as much as my Lethals but that only took a hole or two to adjust to. I didn't want to go to an E6 and lose the spin around the greens that the urethane cover gives me so I went with an E5 and it was solid. Played my best round ever at that course with a 77 and it was about 43 degrees and really windy.

[obsessed_golfer]

Titleist NXT Tour-S is a good cold weather ball

[Troutfly]

My son completed his science fair project with this topic. We built a simple "robotic" arm/club with some pipe and a vise. Balls were put in freezer and temps ,tee heights and varibles all recorded. The question of " do golf balls travel less when its cold" was no vs. warmer balls- as far as the balls temp is concerned. He won 2nd place for his work