Plays-like yardage
A plays-like yardage is the distance a shot will effectively play after the conditions are taken into account. A 150-yard shot into a stiff breeze on a cold morning may play like 165; the same shot downwind on a warm afternoon might play like 140. Choose the club for the plays-like number, not the measured one.
Headwind hurts more than tailwind helps
Into the wind, the ball meets more air resistance and also climbs higher, so it loses distance twice over. Downwind, the help is smaller, because the wind also reduces the spin that keeps the ball in the air. A rule of thumb many players use is about one per cent of the distance for every mile an hour of headwind, and around half that for a tailwind. Treat it as a starting point and adjust with experience.
- Into the wind, take more club and swing more smoothly. A harder swing adds spin, and spin makes the ball climb into the wind.
- Downwind, expect the ball to land more steeply on the green but to run further after it.
- Crosswinds move high, spinning shots the most. Aim off rather than trying to hold the ball against the wind.
Cold air shortens shots
Cold air is denser, and a cold ball is less lively, so both reduce carry. The effect per degree is small, but between a frosty winter morning and a warm summer afternoon it adds up to a club or so on longer shots. Altitude works the other way: thinner air at height lets the ball fly further.
Uphill and downhill
A green well above you plays longer than the yardage and one well below plays shorter, because the ball lands earlier or later in its flight. Rangefinders with a slope setting show this, though many competitions do not allow slope readings.
Start from your own distances
Every adjustment above changes a number you need to know first: your normal carry with each club. Without it, a plays-like yardage only tells you how far the shot is, not which club does it. Caddora's caddie works out the plays-like yardage from the wind and temperature and names the club your own carry data backs, using the distances you measured with Map My Bag.
Questions
Does the ball go further in summer?
Yes. Warm air is less dense and a warm ball is livelier, so the same swing carries further than on a cold day.
How much should I allow for a headwind?
A common rule of thumb is about one per cent of the distance for each mile an hour of headwind, and about half that downwind. Adjust it once you see how your own shots behave.
Does humidity matter?
Very little. Humid air is actually slightly less dense than dry air, but the effect is small next to wind and temperature.
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