December in Rochester, NY: 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 | 39°F |
| Avg daily low | 29°F |
| Rainy days | 22 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 14.4 mph |
December in Rochester is the city's wettest month of the year — 22 precipitation days out of 31 — and that single fact shapes everything about playing here. Average highs sit at 39°F with lows dropping to 29°F, and peak winds reach 14.4 mph, making this the third-coldest and third-windiest month of the year. Those aren't conditions that invite casual rounds.
Who actually shows up in December? Mostly committed local regulars who know which courses stay open, own the right cold-weather kit, and accept that scoring expectations need to be adjusted along with the clothing layers. A traveling golfer routing through Rochester this month for golf specifically would find better value almost anywhere else. If you're passing through for other reasons and want to squeeze in nine holes, that's a different calculation — just go in with realistic expectations about course conditions and limited daylight.
With 22 precipitation days, the odds of a dry round are worse than any other month in Rochester — book a flexible or refundable tee time and check the forecast no earlier than 48 hours out to avoid locking in a rainy morning. Early afternoon slots around 1–2 PM give temperatures the best chance to claw up toward the 39°F average high before the light fades. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November is noticeably more playable, with highs averaging 48°F — 9 degrees warmer than December — and only 17 precipitation days compared to December's 22. January is colder still at a 33°F average high, but it actually brings two fewer precipitation days, meaning December is genuinely the low point for precipitation across this three-month stretch. Wind is essentially a constant: all three months cluster right around 14.3–14.4 mph, so that variable won't help you pick a window.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Rochester, NY for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
← November in Rochester, NY • January in Rochester, NY →
Some public and daily-fee courses do stay open through December when conditions allow, but closures for frost, snow, or saturated ground are common given the 22 average precipitation days. Call ahead the same morning, since a course that was open yesterday may have cart restrictions or be closed entirely after overnight temperatures near 29°F.
Base layer, insulating mid-layer, and a wind-resistant waterproof shell are all necessary given average highs of 39°F and peak winds of 14.4 mph. Waterproof golf shoes and two pairs of gloves are practical given the near-daily precipitation; hand warmers in your pockets help keep grip feel through a full round.