Behind the Swing

Enter your summer distances, choose the temperature – and instantly see how far you'll hit each club today. With a print function for your bag and download as a file. Based on TrackMan data.

Around 17,000 steps and 880 kcal on foot, just over 6,000 steps in a cart. A Swedish study of 300,000 golfers found a 40% lower death rate. What golf really does for your health – and whether trolley or carrying makes a difference.

Urethane balls keep about 90% of their spin in the wet, ionomer balls only about 55%. And of 15 wedges tested, only one kept its spin completely. What the data means for your autumn gear.

From under a metre to almost 20 yards off: independent tests show huge differences between launch monitors. What to look for for your winter practice – and why expensive doesn't automatically mean more accurate.

You can move leaves, but not frost. Snow is your choice. And preferred lies only apply if your club allows them. The key rules for autumn and winter at a glance.

Does a warm golf ball fly further? Lab and on-course tests show up to 8 m difference. Plus: what the Rules of Golf say about warming balls, leaves and dew.

Up to 20% less spin, higher launch, more dispersion: what dew and rain do to your wedge and driver – and why one test shows the exact opposite.

For every 10 °C drop, your driver loses about 3–4 m of carry. Add cold balls, moisture and soft fairways. How much distance autumn really costs you – with TrackMan data and a rule-of-thumb table.

Rain costs the average golfer 3 shots a round. Not because they hit it worse – but because they're badly prepared. Let's fix that.