December in Gulf Shores, AL: shoulder season for golf — playable with smart tee time selection. Best tee times: late morning to early afternoon after dew burns off.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 64°F |
| Avg daily low | 52°F |
| Rainy days | 13 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 13.4 mph |
December splits Gulf Shores golfers into two camps pretty cleanly. Traveling golfers — especially those escaping colder climates — often find this month surprisingly workable: a 64°F average high is mild enough for comfortable rounds, and December is tied for the third-driest month of the year at 13 precipitation days. The 12°F daily swing from high to low means mornings at 52°F can feel brisk, but by midday conditions often settle into the ideal playing range.
Local regulars know the tradeoffs more intimately. The 2nd-coldest average high of the year and 13.4 mph peak winds — making December the 5th-windiest month — add up to rounds that require patience and course management. For visitors checking a Gulf Shores round off a bucket list, the trade is worth it. For locals who can wait, the calendar does improve in spring.
Book morning tee times with flexibility: the 52°F average low means early slots can feel cold enough to affect grip and distance, so a 9–10 AM start lets temperatures climb closer to that 64°F ceiling before you're deep into your round. With 13 precipitation days spread across the month, checking a 48-hour forecast and holding a backup date is more useful in December than simply booking the earliest slot available. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
December drops 6°F from November's 70°F average high and adds four precipitation days, making it a noticeable step down in playing conditions. Compared to January, though, December holds a 3°F edge in warmth, sees one fewer rainy day, and carries 1.7 mph less peak wind — so if you're committed to winter golf, December is the steadier of the two months.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Gulf Shores, AL for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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For golfers coming from states with frozen fairways, Gulf Shores in December offers a real alternative — a 64°F average high and only 13 precipitation days make playable rounds the norm rather than the exception. Just plan around the 52°F morning lows and 13.4 mph peak winds, which can make early tee times feel sharper than the midday temperature suggests.
December averages a 13.4 mph peak wind, ranking it the 5th-windiest month of the year in Gulf Shores. That's enough to influence club selection on most approach shots, particularly on the more exposed coastal and links-style layouts in the area. Planning for a one-club wind adjustment on open holes is a reasonable default for December rounds.