December in Ann Arbor, MI: cool / cold season for golf — expect distance loss and stiff muscles. Best tee times: midday when temperatures are warmest.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 40°F |
| Avg daily low | 28°F |
| Rainy days | 15 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 12.6 mph |
December in Ann Arbor is honest golf: cold, grey, and stripped of any pretense. Highs reach only 40°F with lows dropping to 28°F, a 12-degree daily swing that means a frosty morning round feels nothing like an afternoon one. With 15 precipitation days — tied for the second-most of any month — and peak winds averaging 12.6 mph, conditions test patience as much as ball-striking. That said, the courses that stay open are rarely crowded.
Who actually plays in December? Mostly die-hard locals who know the layout cold and don't mind pulling a cart over firm or muddy turf. The traveling golfer planning a trip specifically for December golf in Ann Arbor is looking at the wrong calendar page — there's no weather upside to justify a flight. But if you're already in town for the holidays and need to scratch the itch, you'll find a quiet round possible on the right afternoon.
Book the latest available tee time on days when the forecast high is near 40°F — morning frost at 28°F can make fairways unplayable or even close the course until mid-morning. Calling ahead the day before is essential in December, since courses may reduce hours or close on short notice given precipitation on roughly half the days in the month. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
December is a meaningful step colder than November, dropping 9°F in average high (from 49°F to 40°F) while adding three more precipitation days, making it noticeably harder to play comfortably. The saving grace is that peak wind barely changes — down just 0.1 mph from November's 12.7 mph — so at least conditions don't get gustier. Looking ahead, January brings another 7°F drop in the high, bottoming out at 33°F with lows of 21°F, so December is actually the more playable of the two winter months.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Ann Arbor, MI for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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Some public courses do stay open in December when temperatures allow, but hours are reduced and closures happen with little notice given that precipitation falls on roughly 15 days in the month. Greens fees are typically at their lowest of the year, and tee sheets are sparse. Always call ahead or check the course website the morning of your round.
Expect morning temperatures near 28°F if you're teeing off early, with afternoon highs only reaching around 40°F — a 12-degree swing across the day. Wind averaging 12.6 mph at peak makes the effective feel considerably colder, so dressing for sub-freezing wind chill rather than the thermometer reading is the practical approach.