December in St. Louis, MO: 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 | 31°F |
| Rainy days | 10 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 11.6 mph |
In December, the tee-sheet itself becomes part of the game plan. Rounds at St. Louis public and semi-private courses thin out sharply after Thanksgiving, which means prime morning slots — the ones that disappear by Tuesday in October — often sit open on the app right up to the day before. The catch is that you're booking into a 47°F average high with lows around 31°F overnight, so a late-morning start (9–10 AM) isn't just convenient; it's practical, giving frost time to clear and the mercury a chance to climb a few degrees.
Cart path restrictions and temporary greens pop up without much warning this time of year, so calling the pro shop the morning you book is worth the two-minute call. Wind averages 11.6 mph at peak — moderate by the site's measure but enough to turn a 160-yard par-3 into a two-club decision when it's already cold. Pack layers you can peel; that 16°F daily swing from morning low to afternoon high means you could start in a fleece and finish in a vest.
With demand low and tee sheets open, focus less on booking early and more on watching the forecast window: a dry afternoon in the 45–50°F range plays surprisingly well, and same-day or next-day booking is usually sufficient to get your preferred slot. Avoid the first tee before 9 AM — frost delays are common when overnight lows sit near 31°F, and being turned back at the starter's booth wastes the trip. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
December drops 8°F off November's average high of 55°F, which is the most significant temperature step-down in St. Louis's fall-to-winter transition. Precipitation days hold steady at 10 — the same as November — so the calendar doesn't get meaningfully wetter, just colder. January then pushes the average high another 6°F lower to 41°F while adding one more precip day, making December the more playable of the two winter months by a clear margin.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for St. Louis, MO for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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Most public and semi-private courses in the St. Louis area stay open through December, weather permitting, though hours can shorten and some facilities close for maintenance stretches. With an average high of 47°F and only 10 precipitation days, playable windows do exist — they just require more flexibility around the forecast than you'd need in spring or fall. Calling ahead is worth it, since cart path rules and temporary greens can change day to day.
Overnight lows average 31°F, so early tee times can feel genuinely frigid, but afternoon highs reach 47°F on average — a 16°F daily swing that rewards patience in your start time. By late morning the temperature is usually at its peak for the day, which is when most December rounds in St. Louis are most comfortable. Wind at 11.6 mph peak adds a real chill factor, so wind-resistant outerwear matters as much as insulation.