December in Philadelphia, PA: 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 | 47°F |
| Avg daily low | 32°F |
| Rainy days | 13 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 11.2 mph |
December in Philadelphia translates directly to a harder scorecard before you hit a single shot. A 47°F average high means the golf ball flies shorter — expect roughly 5–8% distance loss compared to summer conditions, which costs most players at least half a club on every approach. The ground is firm where drainage is poor and soft where it isn't, making yardage guesswork. Grip sensitivity drops, and gloves wear out fast.
The 15°F daily swing from a 47°F high down to a 32°F low matters most in the morning. Tee off near sunrise and you may be playing in freezing air; wait for midday and conditions are meaningfully better, though still cold. Thirteen precipitation days — tied for the third-wettest month of the year — means roughly one in every two rounds has some chance of interruption. Wind averages 11.2 mph peak, which is actually the third-calmest month of the year, so wind rarely blows a round apart. The damage comes from cold and wet, not gusts.
Book afternoon tee times — 11 AM or later — to let temperatures climb away from the morning freeze near 32°F; even a few degrees matters for feel and ball flight. With 13 precipitation days spread across the month, check the 48-hour forecast rather than booking far in advance, since individual dry windows are easier to spot close in. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November is a noticeably better month to play, running 10°F warmer at the high end and three fewer precipitation days — that gap is real and scorecard-relevant. December itself sits only 3°F warmer than January and sees one more rainy day, meaning the two months feel nearly identical once you're out there. If you're choosing between December and January, the difference is marginal; November is the clear step up.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Philadelphia, PA for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
← November in Philadelphia, PA • January in Philadelphia, PA →
Most public and daily-fee courses in the Philadelphia area stay open through December weather permitting, though hours shorten significantly as daylight drops. With a 47°F average high and 13 precipitation days, expect closures or cart restrictions after wet stretches, so calling ahead or checking course conditions online the morning of your round is worth the extra step.
Cold air is denser and reduces ball compression, so most players lose roughly 5–8% of carry distance compared to summer — on a 250-yard summer drive, that's 12–20 yards gone before accounting for stiff hands or bulky clothing. Morning rounds starting near the 32°F low will see the worst of it; waiting for the afternoon high around 47°F recovers some of that distance. Club selection should shift up at least one full club on approach shots throughout the round.