In short
- Wind changes club choice more than anything else, so check direction and gusts for your tee time.
- Cold air and cold balls don't fly as far, so expect less carry on chilly mornings.
- Find the dry window for your round with the hourly rain chart.
- Leave the course at the first sign of thunder.
Wind and club selection
Playing into the wind means more club, and downwind means less. Crosswinds move the ball sideways and exaggerate draws and fades. Gusty days are the hardest, because the wind on the tee isn't always the wind at the top of the ball's flight. WeatherIQ shows wind speed, gusts and direction for every hour, so you can see what to expect through your round.
Temperature and carry
Cold, dense air and a cold ball both reduce distance, so the same swing carries noticeably less on a frosty morning than on a warm afternoon. Early winter rounds can also be delayed by frost. WeatherIQ shows the temperature and "feels like" for every hour, so you can dress for the round and plan your tee time.
Rain and course conditions
Wet greens are slower, wet fairways give less roll, and heavy rain can close a course. The rain chart shows the chance of rain for each hour of the next day, and WeatherIQ tells you when rain is likely to start and when a drier spell should follow.
Thunder and lightning
A golf course is one of the most dangerous places to be in a thunderstorm. You're often the tallest point on open ground, holding a metal club. WeatherIQ flags moderate and high thunderstorm risk for each hour. If you hear thunder, stop play and head for proper shelter straight away. Don't shelter under trees.
Daylight and tee times
A full round takes around four hours. WeatherIQ shows sunrise, sunset and daylight for every day, which helps when booking late tee times in autumn and winter.
Questions golfers ask
- How does wind affect a golf shot?
- Headwinds shorten shots and increase spin, tailwinds lengthen them, and crosswinds move the ball sideways. Gusts make distance control harder, so check both speed and gusts for your tee time.
- Does cold weather affect how far the ball goes?
- Yes. Cold air is denser and a cold ball is less lively, so you'll usually hit it shorter on cold days.
- Should I keep playing if I hear thunder?
- No. Stop play and get to proper shelter immediately. Lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.