December in Boston, MA: 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 | 42°F |
| Avg daily low | 28°F |
| Rainy days | 14 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 13 mph |
Most golfers assume Boston in December means closed courses and frozen ground—and while that's sometimes true, the reality is more nuanced. A handful of public and private tracks stay open through much of the month, and on a dry afternoon with a high near 42°F, play is possible if uncomfortable. The surprise isn't that conditions are good; it's that they're survivable on more days than expected.
The bigger shock tends to be the precipitation. December ties April, May, and August as the 3rd-wettest month of the year at 14 precip days—roughly every other day sees some form of moisture, whether rain, sleet, or snow. Wind peaks at 13 mph on average, and with a 14°F daily swing between the 42°F high and 28°F low, mornings can be firmly frozen while afternoons briefly thaw. Rounds require careful timing and realistic expectations.
Book a midday tee time—noon or just after—to catch the window when temps are closest to the 42°F daily high and any overnight frost has burned off cart paths and greens. With 14 precipitation days spread across the month, check a short-range forecast within 48 hours rather than booking weeks out; conditions can flip quickly. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
December drops 10°F off November's average high of 52°F, and precipitation days jump by four—from 10 to 14—making it a noticeably sharper shift than what follows. January is only 5°F colder on average but loses one precipitation day, so the step from December into January feels less dramatic than the fall from November. Wind is nearly identical across all three months, ranging just 1.1 mph from November's 13.2 mph peak to January's 14.1 mph.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Boston, MA for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
← November in Boston, MA • January in Boston, MA →
Some are, but the number drops significantly compared to fall. Public courses like those managed by the city tend to close once the ground freezes consistently, while a few private and semi-private clubs stay open weather-permitting. With 14 precipitation days and lows averaging 28°F, expect several closures or cart restrictions throughout the month.
Plan for a high of around 42°F but morning temperatures near 28°F, so dress for the colder end and peel off layers as the round progresses. Waterproof outerwear is important given precipitation falls on roughly half the days in December. Insulated, waterproof golf shoes are worth prioritizing over standard spikeless options this time of year.