The Best Golf Balls for Cold Weather
It’s estimated that 70% of people in the U.S. live in areas that endure temperatures below freezing. For those of us who love the game of golf, that's not ideal.
Those cold temps don’t just cramp our desire to spend hours outdoors, they also impact your golf ball’s performance. In fact, the USGA notes that for every 10-degree drop in temperature, you should expect two fewer yards out of your ball. That means if you’ve been playing in 85-degree weather all summer, but squeeze in some late-fall rounds in 45-degree temperatures, those 250-yard drives are now just barely pushing 240.
To squeeze the most out of those cold-weather rounds at the beginning and end of your season, you need equipment that performs in those chilly temps. Playing a golf ball suitable for winter weather can have a big impact on your cold-weather game. To help you shoot your lowest scores in the lowest temperatures you’re willing to play in, we’ve rounded up the five best golf balls for cold weather.
What Makes Golf Balls Perform Different in Cold Weather?
Colder temperatures harden your golf balls, which makes them harder to compress. If you don't compress the ball enough, you'll lose distance and touch around the green.
- Cold air is denser than warm air, so the amount of drag, while your ball is in flight, is greater.
- Chances are, if you’re playing winter golf, you have an extra layer or two on. The additional restriction in your golf swing doesn’t affect the golf ball, but does affect your swing speed and total distance.
- Lower temperatures also make the cover of the golf ball more prone to damage from regular play.
To help combat these issues, these are the best cold weather golf balls.
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Callaway Supersoft
The Callaway Supersoft is a solid golf ball that we consider one of the best golf balls for players with slower swing speeds, regardless of the weather.
For the sake of colder temperatures, the Supersoft lends itself well to a much wider range of golfers because of its 38 compression rating. Not only will the Supersoft move through the heavy, cool air, but it will also feel incredibly soft at impact and around the green.
The Supersoft is a high-launch, low-spin ball, so some players will see better distance numbers with the Supersoft in the cold than in warm temperatures.
Titleist Velocity
The Titleist Velocity is a great golf ball for anyone who wants to pick up distance and doesn’t want a ball that feels like a rock. From a durability standpoint, you don’t get much better quality than Titleist. You can bounce the Velocity off of a below-freezing cart path with minimal damage.
The Velocity also gives you a higher ball flight on driver and iron shots, which will come in handy when temps, and distances, dip.
We love that Titleist has expanded its Velocity colors to include matte orange, green, and blue, in addition to the standard white option.
Vice Tour
If you haven’t given Vice golf balls a go yet, what are you waiting for?
Vice has made a huge impact in the golf ball industry in recent years by offering high-performance products with cost breaks when you buy in bulk – more than two dozen at a time. In fact, the Vice Tour starts at $27.99 for one dozen, but when you buy five dozen, that rate drops to $20.99 per box.
In cold weather, Vice’s cut-resistant cover is the most durable we’ve come across. The Vice Tour is a three-piece ball that gives you plenty of height and stopping power, even on cold, hard greens. It’s a great “in the middle” ball, meaning it fits players of all levels and swing speeds without tipping too hard toward game improvement or low-digit handicap players.
Wilson DUO Soft
The Wilson DUO Soft is a two-piece, ionomer-covered, 40-compression golf ball with similar qualities to the Velocity and Vivid at the budget-friendly price of only $23 per dozen. It comes in plenty of bright-colored finishes that are easy to see among the fall leaves.
The DUO Soft is a distance golf ball that offers plenty of length, but it doesn’t sacrifice a soft feel and nice touch on precision shots around the green.
Volvik Vivid
The Volvik Vivid feels and looks different from any other golf ball on the market. Its patented matte finish offers increased visibility and doesn’t compromise soft feel on touch shots around the green.
On harder courses, you’ll benefit from roll out on drives with this ball. The Volvik Vivid is available in seven different colors or you can purchase an assorted dozen if you want to mix it up. We’re also huge fans of the Volvik Alignment System (VAS), which consists of three lines that make a perfect alignment aid when putting or teeing off.
How to Pick the Right Ball for the Cold
You might be wondering how exactly to pick your go-to, cold-weather golf ball. Here are some things to consider when shopping.
Durability
Balls from most of the well-known brands, such as Titleist and Callaway, are more durable. In cold weather, the cover of the golf ball is subject to cuts and scratches, so you want to be sure to favor a more reputable brand to get better durability.
Steer clear of recycled or off-brand golf balls. These will likely not last very long once the temperature drops.
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Color
If you live in a cold weather climate, you have to think about the color of your golf ball once you hit the fall season. Once leaves cover the rough and fairways, a white golf ball can be difficult to find. Consider using a blue golf ball or one with a design such as a Callaway Truvis. Avoid golf ball colors that blend in with the leaves, such as red, orange, or yellow.
Now, if we’re talking about winter golf with snow on the ground, you’re on another level of devotion to the game. With that said, consider brighter colors such as red, orange, blue, or yellow. No matter how much you love playing a white ball, that won’t cut it in the snow.
Performance
Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect performance from your golf ball. Look for a golf ball that has a lower compression because, as mentioned above, the golf ball is harder to compress in low temperatures. You'll essentially compress a softer golf ball the same in colder temperatures as you would your regular golf ball in more traditional, warmer golf weather.
You should also consider a golf ball that has a higher launch. With the dense cold air, your ball will take a lower trajectory. Getting the ball higher in the air will help you regain some of that distance the cold weather strips you of.
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Roll With the Cold
Playing golf in the cold can be a pain if you’re not playing well. Thin shots sting your hands and those extra layers can be tricky. But simply tweaking your golf ball can benefit your game. No matter which type of ball you choose, keeping it warm in your hands or pocket will help minimize the effects of the cold weather.