Following a disappointing opening-round 76, Bryson DeChambeau was questioned about his prospects for the second round of the British Open at Royal Troon. His response included some intriguing observations. “I intend to resolve this,” he stated. “It seems to be equipment-related. The golf ball is … well, I’m not achieving a ball speed of 190, so especially when I’m using the driver or 3-wood, those clubs are designed for speeds around 190, and my 3-wood is around 180, so in colder, firmer conditions the golf ball isn’t compressing as much. … I felt like my swing was somewhat decent, but the ball wasn’t launching in the usual manner I’m accustomed to, so it was an unusual day.”
Prior to individuals becoming agitated that Bryson is heading down the path of criticizing his driver once more, it is important to acknowledge the validity of his statements. This is not a criticism of his clubs. The reality is that his Krank Formula Fire Pro driver has a mere 5 degrees of loft, while his “3-wood” has only 9 degrees. Achieving the correct launch of the ball with these clubs requires significant speed, and there were numerous factors contributing to the unfavorable conditions at Troon.
The temperatures ranged from the 50s to the 60s, and the cold weather can have a direct impact on golf balls due to the coefficient of thermal expansion. This means that certain materials can expand or contract based on the temperature, which in turn affects their performance. Golf balls are typically designed for optimal performance in temperatures around the 70s. DeChambeau has been using the Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash, which is known for its lower spin. While a higher-spinning ball could potentially help him with workability, it may not maximize his ball speed due to its softer compression.
The temperature of the air has a significant impact on the behavior of a ball during play and after it is hit. Cold air, being denser than warm air, causes more resistance on a golf ball. According to the late USGA technical director Frank Thomas, there is a difference of approximately two yards in carry for every 10-degree change in temperature. Research conducted by Trackman, the creators of the launch monitor used in PGA Tour events, suggests that a shift from 100 degrees to 40 degrees can result in a reduction of driving distance by around 9 yards on the driver, primarily due to the alteration in air pressure. In general, this translates to about one yard per 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Naturally, DeChambeau’s statistics from Thursday indicated that he wasn’t exactly falling behind in driving distance compared to the rest of the players. He ranked 16th in strokes gained/off the tee, where he’s gaining 1.56 strokes on the field. However, he came in fourth in driving distance at 294.1 yards, a significant contrast to his 328.3-yard driving distance average on the PGA Tour and his 322.5-yard driving distance average on LIV.
Bryson DeChambeau may have encountered a significant issue in that he approached the greens using clubs different from what he anticipated, and ones he is evidently less precise with compared to the wedges he typically uses. Additionally, he frequently targeted the greens from positions other than the fairway. His driving accuracy ranked 55th, hitting only eight fairways, and he ranked 122nd in strokes gained/approach, losing 2.19 strokes to the field.
Cold weather can impact various aspects of the game as well. Golfers tend to wear heavier clothing which limits their flexibility, resulting in slower swing speeds and reduced ball speeds. Phil Mickelson mentioned in an interview with Golf Digest that he switches to softer, lower compression balls in colder temperatures. According to Mickelson, softer balls compress more easily and fly straighter in the cold.
DeChambeau may want to contemplate making a change, especially since he expressed worries about the level of compression during impact. Increasing the loft on his longer clubs could be a viable alternative. It is highly probable that DeChambeau will have a different setup for Round 2 compared to what he used in the first round.
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