December in Atlantic City, NJ: 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 | 48°F |
| Avg daily low | 36°F |
| Rainy days | 12 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 14.8 mph |
December reshapes how you approach the tee sheet more than almost any other month in Atlantic City. With a 48°F average high and lows dropping to 36°F, the window for comfortable golf is narrow — typically the two or three hours around midday when temperatures peak. That means late morning tee times aren't just convenient; they're functionally the best golf available.
Wind is the other variable that demands respect. At 14.8 mph average peak, gusts can push a mid-iron two clubs off line, and the coastal exposure at area courses amplifies that. Twelve precipitation days across the month sounds manageable, but combining cold rain with a 36°F floor creates conditions where cancellation insurance on a prepaid round is worth serious consideration.
Book the 10 or 11 AM slot specifically: the low of 36°F means early morning rounds often start below freezing, while the 48°F high gives you the best chance of reaching playable temps by mid-morning. Flexible or refundable tee times are worth the small premium in December, given that 12 precipitation days and 14.8 mph peak winds can turn a reasonable forecast into an unplayable morning with little notice. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November, with its 58°F average high and only 8 precipitation days, plays significantly more comfortably than December — a sharp 10°F drop into December makes the transition one of the more noticeable of the fall. Moving from December into January, the high falls another 3°F to 45°F and the peak wind climbs to 15.9 mph, making January the harder month, though precipitation days stay flat at 12.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Atlantic City, NJ for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
← November in Atlantic City, NJ • January in Atlantic City, NJ →
Most public and resort courses in the Atlantic City area remain open in December on a weather-permitting basis, though hours can shorten as daylight drops. With an average high of only 48°F and 12 precipitation days, expect occasional closures or cart-path-only conditions after wet spells. Calling ahead the day before is a practical habit in December.
Morning tee times can start at or near the 36°F average low, which is effectively freezing for your hands and the golf ball — cold compression noticeably reduces distance. The average high of 48°F is reachable by late morning, so a midday round gives you the warmest conditions the month offers. Wind chill from the 14.8 mph peak winds can make the real-feel temperature several degrees colder than the thermometer reads.