Adapting golf ball to weather?

[JRav57]

About to head from hot and humid South Carolina to Scotland.  As a general rule I prefer the feel and performance of the Chrome Soft and ProV1.  Would there be a benefit to switching to a softer ball (ERC, TM Tour response) {or firmer ball for that matter} to adapt to the cooler conditions and firmer course conditions?  I am predominately distance challenged with a driver speed less than 90 mph.  Any advantage is always a plus…

Thanks

[RickyBobby_PR]

Per a conversation with Bridgestone a few years back they suggested using the same ball regardless of temps.

For every 10° in temp change from your normal temps add or subtract 2.5 yards. For warmer weather add and cooler weather subtract.

 

[storm319]

I would agree that benefit of consistency/familiarity of playing the same model outweighs any differences of changing the ball for specific playing conditions. Also, unless you are on the high side of the spin spectrum, there pretty much no benefit from a distance off the tee perspective for switching to a lower compression ball even at low swing speeds. 

[Londo]

The only time I adjust for weather is when it is crazy windy, I will play a lower trajectory ball in those situations

[GolfSpy_KFT]

I'm certainly no expert, but I play the same ball no matter what conditions I am playing in. I think the feel of a different ball would throw me off more than different weather conditions. From personal experience playing in some massive temp ranges in Wisconsin, I don't see a noticeable difference in length off the tee when I am playing in 90 degree temps in the middle of summer to 50s-60s in the early spring/late fall. If I lose some distance when it's colder, so be it. The ball still feels the same coming off the face and I value that more. I would say to stick with what you know and what you're comfortable with. 

[Kenny B]

I have similar swing speed.  I used to play PV1x when temps got above 50º, but I always played a softer compression ball in the winter when greens are hard and nothing spins much anyway.  I played the Titleist Tour Soft in Yellow which is easier to see on those gray cloudy days.  However, last fall I started playing the Maxfli Tour X and liked it just as much as the PV1x at a cheaper price.  I still played the Tour Soft last winter. 

This year when Maxfli came out with their Tour S, I started playing it exclusively.  I liked the softness off the clubs which helps my old hands.  When the temps got up to 100+ I switched to the Maxfli Tour and will stick with it until it gets cold again.  Then I have to decide whether to play the Tour S or the Tour Soft... wish Maxfli would come out with a Yellow Tour S.  

As for playing in Scotland the temperature should be fairly mild this time of year, so I would play whatever ball you are most comfortable playing. If it were me, I would play the ball that flies better in wind, rather than firm or soft.  I would also shy away from anything truvis.

[tdroma98]

@JRav57 I used to change golf balls in the colder conditions to Bridgestone BRXs from the PV1. To me the feel of PV1 in the cold weather didn't seem to perform as well.  One other reason for changing to Bridgestone, they were about the only ball that was "seamless", however most every manufacturer adopted Bridgestone's ball design & are seamless. 

Also notice the Ladies on LPGA, they play the Pro V1 & V1x, TP5 & 5x like PGA guys. It used to be the though process ProV1x at 100 compression should be for a certain swing speed. I don't think that thought process applies any longer.  
Brian Harman just won the British Open using the Pro V1 ball, which one of the golf balls you use is the Pro V1. The V1 worked well for him, I wouldn't change.  
Have a Safe Trip & Enjoy! 

[NC Golfer]

I change to a softer ball in the colder weather. Not for performance but for feel. I find the Srixon Zstar for the warm weather and QST for the cold weather, a nice combo. 

[DiscipleofPenick]

As many have said, it's better to dance with what brung ya. And there's been numerous studies that show the distance loss in cold weather is actually negligible.

[tony@CIC]

29 minutes ago, DiscipleofPenick said:

As many have said, it's better to dance with what brung ya. And there's been numerous studies that show the distance loss in cold weather is actually negligible.

I agree - especially since the temp difference isn't that extreme. On the other hand if you were playing in the Great Lakes area in the middle of winter it might make a difference. 

[GregGarner]

The Ballnamic guys have given a couple interviews and if I were to oversimplify their advice on golf balls while traveling, it's that you should only consider a change in ball when the situation is extreme. For example, when the Tour goes to Mexico City, you'll see a couple guys switch from ProV1 to ProV1x. Balls flight further and lower in higher altitude, so the switch to the X can help offset that and get it closer to what they're used to. But they don't really recommend switching balls in moderate temperature changes. While yes, the ball is impacted by the temps, so is your body. You're going to wear different clothing and your body won't move quite the same way in different weather. Better bet is to play with the ball that you know and just enjoy the experience.