December in Indianapolis, IN: 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 | 44°F |
| Avg daily low | 30°F |
| Rainy days | 13 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 11.7 mph |
December in Indianapolis puts every number on your scorecard before you grip the club. A 44°F average high sits 16 degrees below the site's ideal range, meaning fingers stay stiff, ball compression drops noticeably, and you can expect to lose a club or more of distance on iron shots. The 30°F average low means early tee times are effectively off the table unless you pack for it deliberately — frost delays are common at many public courses and can push first playable tee times well into the morning.
Thirteen precipitation days spread across the month is the fourth-highest total of the year, and a 14°F daily swing means conditions can shift mid-round from borderline playable to genuinely unpleasant. Wind averages 11.7 mph at peak — technically moderate by site standards — but at these temperatures even a 10 mph breeze adds a meaningful wind-chill penalty that makes club selection feel like guesswork. Scores will run high; the cold, wind, and wet all compound on the same round.
Book midday slots — 11 AM to 1 PM — to catch the peak high of 44°F and give any frost a chance to clear; early-morning tee times risk course closures or cart restrictions that aren't announced until day-of. Because Indianapolis courses thin out sharply in December, last-minute availability is common, but call ahead to confirm the course is open rather than assuming online tee sheets are current. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November's 53°F average high is a full 9 degrees warmer than December's 44°F, making it the more forgiving month for ball flight and grip comfort, and November's three fewer precipitation days mean noticeably drier rounds. December does hold a marginal wind edge over November — 11.7 mph versus 11.9 mph — but that 0.2 mph difference is irrelevant at these temperatures. January is colder still at a 39°F high and adds two more precipitation days, making December the slightly better choice if you're weighing a late-winter round.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Indianapolis, IN for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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Many Indianapolis-area courses stay open through December on a weather-permitting basis, but with 13 precipitation days and a 44°F average high, closures and cart-path-only restrictions are frequent. It's worth calling the pro shop the morning of your round rather than relying solely on online booking, since conditions can change overnight.
Cold air and stiff muscles reduce ball compression and swing speed, so as a general rule of thumb golfers lose meaningful distance at temperatures hovering around the 44°F average high Indianapolis sees in December. Factor in the 11.7 mph peak wind and a low of 30°F for early rounds, and you should consider playing one to two clubs longer on approach shots throughout the round.