While there’s a foot of snow on the ground now, spring is around the corner and soon you’ll be back on the River’s Edge course in full swing. Spring in central Oregon can be variable as we all know, with average temperatures hovering around 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A little cold weather never prevents the diehard golfer from out on the course practicing, but there are some things you should know when playing a round in colder temperatures. It’s all about the ball, and here are the cold hard facts.
Cold air is denser than warm air and negatively impacts the ball’s ability to carry distance. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, the ball loses two yards of carry. The optimal temperature range for golf balls is 70 to 90 degrees, so that means in Bend’s cooler spring temperatures, your ball can lose distance of up to 10 yards.
What you need to play in cold weather is a softer ball. Softer balls will compress more easily making them lighter in the cold air and mitigating some of the loss in carry. GolferExpert.com has researched and tested balls for how well they compress in cold weather and here are their top picks for 2019:
- Callaway Chrome Soft
- Bridgestone e6 Soft
- Titleist NXT Tour S
- Precept Laddie Extreme
- Srixon Soft Feel
After play, remember to clean your golf balls to remove any dirt, grass and mud and store them in a cool, dry environment like inside your home rather than in a cold garage. Avoid extreme temperatures to prolong the longevity of your golf balls.
You’ll find everything you need to play this spring at our pro shop, including softer golf balls, clubs, footwear and a full-line of Nike Dri-Fit clothing to keep you warm. See you on the course!