January in Phoenix, AZ: peak season for golf — great conditions and a wide playing window. Best tee times: mid-morning through early afternoon.
| Average January Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 65°F |
| Avg daily low | 41°F |
| Rainy days | 6 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 9.4 mph |
January is defined by one variable above all else in Phoenix golf: the cold morning. The average low of 41°F means early tee times demand layers — the same desert course that feels comfortable by early afternoon starts in near-freezing conditions. The 24°F daily swing is the largest context for any round you plan this month. Midday windows, roughly 10 AM to 2 PM, hit the sweet spot when the high reaches 65°F and wind holds near 9.4 mph — well within the moderate range.
Despite being the coldest month of the year by average high, January sits firmly in peak season for a reason. Skies are largely clear, the fairways are in excellent shape from reduced heat stress, and demand from out-of-state visitors is at its annual peak. With 6 precipitation days, there is some rain risk — tied for second-wettest on the calendar — but most disruptions are brief and morning-concentrated, leaving afternoon rounds largely unaffected.
Because the low hits 41°F, avoid the first tee times of the day unless you're prepared to play two to three holes in near-freezing air — a 9 or 10 AM start lets the temperature climb before you reach the back nine. Book at least two weeks out; January is one of the highest-demand months in Phoenix and morning slots fill faster than afternoon ones despite the cold. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
December runs 2°F warmer on average highs and is slightly calmer at 7.8 mph peak wind versus January's 9.4 mph, making it marginally more comfortable across the full day. January adds one more precipitation day than December, so there is a modest uptick in rain risk heading into the new year. February begins the trend back toward ideal conditions, gaining 4°F on the high and dropping to just 4 precipitation days, though its peak wind climbs another 1.7 mph to 11.1 mph.
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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Not once the day gets going — the average high reaches 65°F, which is squarely in the comfortable range for golf. The challenge is the early morning low of 41°F, so tee times before 8 AM will feel cold enough to affect your swing if you're not dressed for it. A 10 AM start gives temperatures time to rise and makes for a much more enjoyable round.
January averages 6 precipitation days, making it one of the wetter months on Phoenix's calendar, but most rain events are short-lived and tend to cluster in the morning hours. The probability of a full round being rained out is low, but it's worth checking the forecast the night before and building flexibility into your start time if storms are expected.