As has been discussed of late on these forums and in various columns on the site, playing in cold weather is a whole different game.

Now I have mentioned this ball tip in the past, but I thought it might not be a bad idea to bring up again for those of you out there trying to get the most out of your game while trying to play over the winter, not to mention the many upcoming spring days where temps in the 40s and 50s will be commonplace.

It has been suggested for cold weather, to use a ball that compresses more, but frankly, I like to use the same balls I play all the time. My trick is to make sure they are warm.

Now we all know that it is against the rules to alter your equipment (including balls) in any way, shape or form during a round. So you can't use hand warmers or artificial heating methods during the round. However, as far as I know, it is okay to do so before a round starts as long as the ball's characteristics are not altered from accepted design parameters.

So, what I do (and have recommended on here in the past) is, just before I head off to the course, I take an electric heating pad, wrap 3 or 4 of my preferred balls inside and turn the heat on high for 20 minutes. That is certainly enough time to warm them up nicely. Then, I unplug the pad, but leave the balls wrapped inside the heating pad. Many modern golf bags these days have insulated compartments where you can store ice and cold drinks on hot days. Mine does anyway. That insulated compartment works for keeping things warm on cold days too. So I just roll up the bag with the balls in it and store the whole kit and caboodle (boy that saying shows my age) in that insulated pocket just before I leave for the course. Those balls will stay toasty for hours. Certainly, the cold air outside will still affect distance some, but at least you aren't hitting non-compressing ice cubes. And, around the greens the cover is usually still soft enough to get spin off the clubface.

Whatever you do, don't leave the balls in your bag in the car overnight. That borders on masochism when you combine it with cold hands hitting a thin shot. Ouch!

Great tip, one that I hope to use this week.

So Doug, you are an advocate of warming your balls?

There are rules against artificial heating devices, but I've yet to see a rule against holding your ball in your mouth between holes to warm it up.

Bryan K wrote:

There are rules against artificial heating devices, but I've yet to see a rule against holding your ball in your mouth between holes to warm it up.

Just be careful someone doesn't slap you on the back after a great shot!

Hey Doug, that's a pretty slick idea. It might not be legal, but this time of year, who cares. By the way, I like Kit & Kaboodle, use it all the time (showing my age too)and the tip on leaving your balls in the trunk (I don't) but it helped to explain the feel I was getting trying some clubs out at a Shop with an outdoor range, balls in a machine outside all winter.

Also Doug, thanks for your comments on the AP2's to DustinT over at the Team Titleist website on 3/5, I am looking forward to testing them some more.

Dusty23 wrote:

Hey Doug, that's a pretty slick idea. It might not be legal, but this time of year, who cares.

I can find no reason, based on the rules I have seen, why it wouldn't be legal. I am not altering the design characteristics of the ball, just bringing it to a temperature that it might be on any given summer sfternoon. And, doing so, before the round starts. The ball is not changed by me in any way during the round.

DougE wrote:

I can find no reason, based on the rules I have seen, why it wouldn't be legal.

It is legal since you don't use it during the round. Pre-heated balls are mentioned in decision 14-3/13.5

You got a pointer to such an "electric heating pad"? I just may give it a try once!

Hey DougE, I said, it might not be legal, I didn't say it wasn't, I don't know and I didn't look it up. I know as BryanK points out that there is a rule about artificial heating devices (handwarmer packs)and didn't know if your heating pad applies. But I do like the idea for this time of year.

Dusty23 wrote:

Hey DougE, I said, it might not be legal, I didn't say it wasn't, I don't know and I didn't look it up. By I do like the idea for this time of year.

Dustin:

No worries, I didn't mean to imply that you did say it was illegal. I just wanted to assure you that I really don't think it is, and as we now see in the above post by Jev he seems to agree as well. If anyone would know, he would! And probably Brian (bkuehn1952) too, who also commented positively earlier. Both of those guys seem to be the resident rules experts, so their blessing is enough validation for me.

No problems Sir, I certainly was not trying to imply anything. Again I appreciate the input on the AP2's

Good idea Doug, I may try that too. But let me get this straight. My swing is restricted by all the gear I have on, my hands are cold, fingers frozen to the second joint, winds howling, greens less than pristine, fairways half mud with little roll, bunkers hard as concrete and I gotta worry about my balls being heated?

I agree with Dusty, if indeed it is an infraction of the rules, that's taking the 'rules' above and beyond out-of-season golf.

CeeBee wrote:

Good idea Doug, I may try that too. But let me get this straight. My swing is restricted by all the gear I have on, my hands are cold, fingers frozen to the second joint, winds howling, greens less than pristine, fairways half mud with little roll, bunkers hard as concrete and I gotta worry about my balls being heated? I agree with Dusty, if indeed it is an infraction of the rules, that's taking the 'rules' above and beyond out-of-season golf.

If it's that cold and uncomfortable, I'll stay home where I can easily keep my balls warm and dry.

I hear ya Doug. Some days better than others. Lately very good temps. Next couple days 70's. Balls will heat up.

Sounds like you had a great time down south.

Ben Hogan writes in the book that he used Victorian-era kerosene handwarmers in his pockets to warm up balls during his Open win at Carnoustie. I'm guessing this is a newer rule then.