Difficulty with club distance

You're at Sea level in MB - so the ball will not travel as far. Humidity and temperature also affect how far the ball travels. I find that I hit my irons about a half club shorter than when I was in TN - and my driver 10 yards shorter. Of course I'm older too. I should have moved to the mountains out west where the ball goes further! When I was looking to move to Brunswick GA I played the CC out there several times - it was worse than MB  I lost 20 yds on my driver and 2 clubs on my irons.

Thanks for the reply. You're confirming what I've always suspected. I understand the loss with temperature reduction. I read in a golf magazine that for every degree below 70, you lose 1%. I've seen other forumlae too. And I get that balls do not travel as far in colder temps. And yes, we are getting older but every year I go through this and then go home and I'm back to hitting a 8 iron as far I did before.

I was just wondering if it's a combination of sea level, temperature and air density (got an ocean not too far away).

What most golfers don't realize, is that hitting over a large pond (i.e. the gambler at Kings North) will affect the distance the ball travels due to the humidity above the lake. I've seen many a well struck shot come up short on that hole - I always play an extra half club there. (And hope I hit it well!)

1. Hitting over a lake doesn't affect the distance the ball will carry. Humidity difference over the lake vs. over the fairway is minimal since the atmosphere is well mixed. Plus the ball would carry slightly farther the higher the humidity since humid air is less dense (as long as there's no fog or rain present). It only seems like it goes shorter over the lake because it's all carry without possibility of landing short and having the ball bounce up to the green like on other holes.

2. Regarding the distance loss for every degree below 70*, there is nothing magical about the 70* threshold. The golf ball will carry farther at 100* vs. 90*, will carry farther at 80* vs. 70*, will carry farther at 60* vs. 50*, etc... So if you live in the mid-west and play golf from April to October when the temperatures are mostly in the 70s to 80s and then visit Myrtle in Jan-Mar when the high temperatures are in the 50s and 60s there will be a substantial loss of distance since cold air is more dense. Another factor regarding temperature, is if the temp is in the 50s you'd be much more likely to wear a jacket vs. a short-sleeve shirt, and that would restrict shoulder turn and slow down the golf swing.

3. Not sure where in the Midwest is home, but the average elevation between Ohio and Iowa is around 1000 feet. Coming from there to Myrtle Beach at sea level will surely cost a few more yards.

4. With softer fairways & fringes there are no run-up shots in Myrtle Beach. Whereas up north a shot that lands a few yards short of the green has a chance of bouncing up to the hole, in Myrtle Beach more often than not the ball will stay short of the green.

I’m from the Chicago area and as a pilot I know Midway is 620; not a lot higher than MB but enough. And since I’ve played in every month, I know about less distance in the 50’s than the 70’s. And I’m dressed the same at home in the 50’s as I am here. I know 70 is nothing special, it’s just a reference point. But all I’m saying is the distance loss here, with temps like today, upper 50’s, is greater than at home when it’s in the upper 50’s. 

The Sea Level in MB seems to have a lot of effect on carry, even if our home town 
isn't very high above sea level.   The air is different.  It leaves a film on the car windows 
that doesn't clean off easily.      
 
It seems to me that I lose 1 club in MB if it's 50 or 80.  And if we are losing 1 iron in MB, we 
are losing about 20 yards with a driver, which is why I warn about playing blue tees,
especially on the par 70 courses.   When it's CPO, that is a time not to stretch how far back
we play.   
 
I try to tell myself; IE this shot is a 8 iron at home, so hit a 7.     
  
When it's going to be a high of 50-60 in MB, but a low of 30's, bring your bag inside, or 
at least the golf balls, so the golf balls will not be cold and less responsive after all night
in 30°.    

Hi Art,

Thanks Art. Looks like my assumptions are true, and, maybe something in the atmosphere.  ? I just had a thought and hopefully it’s not gonna make me sound like a loon but could the clubs being colder (than average) also be a contributing factor? I’m not a metallurgist so I don’t know if it would have an effect. Just a thought.

BTW, since I play all year long, I’ve been bringing my golf balls into the house, especially when it gets cold, for years. My wife thinks I’m nuts but I think it makes a difference.

The old saying goes, "One more at the shore"

The air is less dense at higher altitudes. Also, I am not sure, but I am guessing humidity effects as well. So, when the humidity is cranked up in Myrtle during the summer the ball actually should go further. But, it can also be windy near the coast. hahaaaa

Humidity has a significant effect on golf ball distance, too. The higher the humidity, the longer the ball flies. You can feel humid air more, but water weighs less than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that make up dry air. ... Altitude and wind have the greatest and most apparent effect on golf ball distance.  

Here you go, article by Titleist explains it:

https://www.titleist.com/teamtitleist/b/tourblog/posts/the-effect-of-altitude-on-golf-ball-performance

Also, fairways in areas like Myrtle don't get a lot of roll. People from other parts of the country don't play a lot of Bermuda grass and the Myrtle area fairways typically play soft. So, you may not be getting as much roll  as you are used to in other parts of the country.

Posted by: foxgolfer

Thanks Art. Looks like my assumptions are true, and, maybe something in the atmosphere.  ? I just had a thought and hopefully it’s not gonna make me sound like a loon but could the clubs being colder (than average) also be a contributing factor? I’m not a metallurgist so I don’t know if it would have an effect. Just a thought.

BTW, since I play all year long, I’ve been bringing my golf balls into the house, especially when it gets cold, for years. My wife thinks I’m nuts but I think it makes a difference.

I only said bring the bag in the house, because it's easier than a bunch of golf balls.  
I don't think cold clubs will affect distance and I never heard anybody claim that. 

What Titleist says about humidity is correct in most situations (humid air is less dense so the ball will carry farther). However there's one important exception that they omit. If there is precipitation or fog present then the air will be more dense and carry distance will decrease.

Love when an old dog (me) learns a new trick. From early on in my golfing life, it was told, trained, and drilled into me that humidity makes the ball fly shorter - we even discussed it at one of my PGA schools. Nice to be wrong - but I'm still hitting a half club more on King's North Gambler

Art  - I bring my bag in during the winter - it keeps everything warmer - including grips and gloves - not sure it helps my tees though!

"With softer fairways & fringes there are no run-up shots in Myrtle Beach. Whereas up north a shot that lands a few yards short of the green has a chance of bouncing up to the hole, in Myrtle Beach more often than not the ball will stay short of the green." (1putt1)

Very interesting discussion. I agree on this observation. I have realised that it is true many times in Myrtle Beach. So i prefer to take 1 or 2 clubs more clubs depending of the hole. If not, you will have an approach shot in your hands. GIRs are very important if you want to score lower and reduce your handicap.

I have found the same think in MB that i have to hit 1 more club. I am quiet sure that age has nothing to with my distance. But as most of us know most people don't hit enough club. Very ew players ever go past the pin or over the green they are normally short or barely on the green.