December in Phoenix, AZ: peak season for golf — great conditions and a wide playing window. Best tee times: mid-morning through early afternoon.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 67°F |
| Avg daily low | 44°F |
| Rainy days | 5 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 7.8 mph |
December's numbers tell a specific story for your scorecard. A 67°F average high sits right at the lower edge of the ideal 60–80°F window, meaning morning rounds starting near the 44°F low will feel notably different from afternoon finishes. That 23°F daily swing is the practical reality: a full extra layer at the 6 AM first tee, peeled off by the back nine. The upside is the wind — at 7.8 mph peak, December is the calmest month of the year in Phoenix, which means approach shots hold their line, stock yardages stay reliable, and you're not fighting gusts that would otherwise add a half-club or more of uncertainty on every shot.
The 5 precipitation days make December the 3rd-wettest month of the year here, but spread across a 31-day window that still leaves the majority of your week dry. Courses drain well in the desert, so a brief overnight shower rarely means a waterlogged fairway. The cold-morning factor is the bigger scorecard variable than rain: expect tighter muscles and shorter carry distances until the air and your body warm up past the turn — budget accordingly, but the exact loss will vary by player and club.
With peak-season demand and morning lows near 44°F, booking a late-morning start — around 9–10 AM — lets temperatures climb toward the mid-50s before you tee off without sacrificing the calm-wind conditions that define December. Reserve at least a week out; the combination of ideal wind and manageable highs draws consistent traffic through the month. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November plays noticeably warmer, with a 76°F average high that's 9°F above December's 67°F, and 2 fewer precipitation days, making it the more comfortable shoulder choice. December does beat November on wind by 1.3 mph, though, which is a genuine scoring edge. January is only 2°F cooler at a 65°F high but adds one more rainy day and sees wind climb back up to 9.4 mph, so December is the quieter, slightly warmer option of the two winter months.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Phoenix, AZ for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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December sits firmly in peak season, with a 67°F average high and the calmest winds of any month at 7.8 mph peak. The main trade-off is chilly mornings near 44°F, which require extra layers and affect carry distance on the first several holes. If you can schedule a late-morning start, the conditions are genuinely favorable.
December averages 5 precipitation days, making it the 3rd-wettest month of the year in Phoenix, though that's still a minority of days in a 31-day month. Desert courses shed water quickly, so rain events rarely leave fairways unplayable. Checking a short-range forecast before booking a morning round is the most practical precaution.