Spring tips: Turn, turn, turn!
"How'd you play today?" "Lousy."
I hear that alot this time of year. Players will lament that the ball isn't going anywhere, their swing is off, and golf is a struggle. For them, the question is, "What's gone wrong?".
Cooler temperatures can drastically affect your game. Consider the following:
A 20 degree temperature drop increases air density and will reduce distance by 4 percent (roughly ten yards on a drive, 1/2 club on irons).
Colder air, to remain clear, has less water content than warm air. The drier the air is, the more drag on the ball. This is because water vapor is molecularly lighter than air.
Your body works less efficiently when it is cooler. Your body's natural response to cold includes muscular constriction, restricting your shoulder turn.
Damp, soft turf will not allow the ball to roll very far.
This all means that less distance is largely the result of conditions, not your swing. When the golfer fights this, mechanics deteriorate. Timing falls apart; tempo begins to change from swing to swing. Alignment and ball position start to shift. Poor play isn't the mystery; the good shots are!
The part attributable to your swing is this: your muscles are less responsive and you're wearing more layers. If this causes your shoulders to turn just a few degrees less during the backswing, you probably won't be aware of it; this will shorten the return back to the ball and must impact your timing. When one deliberately shortens the swing, instincts allow timing to naturally adjust. Problems arise when the golfer is unaware of the shorter swing, and instincts lack "cues" necessary to appropriately adjust. So my advice is to relax, by all means WARM UP, pay attention to your turn, and stop trying to hit it so far.
Check this link for more explanation: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5754331_can-air-cause-muscle-aches_.html