December in Richmond, VA: 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 | 53°F |
| Avg daily low | 35°F |
| Rainy days | 11 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 10 mph |
December splits Richmond golfers into two camps pretty cleanly. For the traveling golfer—someone flying in specifically to play—this month is hard to justify unless the schedule demands it. Average highs of 53°F and lows of 35°F mean morning tee times often start in genuinely cold conditions, and 11 precipitation days spread across the month keep the forecast uncertain enough that a trip built around golf carries real risk.
For the local regular, though, December has a quiet appeal. Courses thin out, pace of play drops, and on a calm afternoon when temps climb into the low 50s the round is perfectly playable. Wind averages 10 mph at peak—manageable but present—so mid-day windows matter. The 18°F daily swing means what you wear at 7 AM won't be what you want by 1 PM. Layers, not luck, decide whether the round is comfortable.
With lows sitting at 35°F, early morning slots carry frost-delay risk—book late-morning tee times (10 AM or later) to let the course firm up and temperatures approach the day's high. Weekday afternoon rounds in December offer the best combination of thinned-out fields and the warmest conditions the month allows. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November is the stronger month by a clear margin—8°F warmer on the highs, three fewer precipitation days, and essentially the same wind at 9.9 mph, making it a better target if your schedule has any flexibility. Compared to January, December actually holds a modest edge: highs run 4°F warmer, two fewer rainy days, and peak wind is 1.1 mph calmer, so if you're choosing between the two winter months, December is the quieter, slightly more forgiving option.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Richmond, VA for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
← November in Richmond, VA • January in Richmond, VA →
It depends on who's asking. Local golfers who know the courses and can pick their days will find December rounds quiet and affordable, with peak winds around 10 mph and occasional mild afternoons near 53°F. Traveling golfers planning a dedicated golf trip face more risk—11 precipitation days and a 35°F average low leave limited margin for a fixed itinerary.
Average lows hit 35°F, meaning early morning rounds approach freezing and frost delays are possible. The average high of 53°F is reachable by midday on clear days, but the 18°F daily temperature swing makes dressing correctly important. Plan for cold hands and firm, slow greens if you're teeing off before 10 AM.