← Back to GolfWeatherGolfWeather Score · Methodology 1.2 Beta

One score for the whole round.

The GolfWeather Score estimates how suitable forecast conditions are for completing an 18-hole round at a specific course and tee time. It is a beta decision aid, not a safety guarantee or a substitute for course instructions.

45%Rain

Probability and expected amount, using whichever creates the greater disruption.

35%Wind

Sustained wind plus an additional gustiness penalty.

20%Comfort

Feels-like temperature, which already includes humidity, wind and solar effects.

How a tee time is scored

Four consecutive daylight hours

We score each playing hour, then evaluate every possible four-hour window that begins after sunrise and allows the round to finish before sunset. Hourly rain and gust values are aligned to the playing interval they cover, including the round’s final hour.

Round score70% × four-hour average
+ 30% × worst hour

Giving extra weight to the worst hour prevents a good tee-off forecast from hiding rain or strong wind later in the round.

The daily GolfWeather Score is the highest available four-hour round score for that day. The associated start time becomes the recommended tee time.

Hourly penalties

What lowers the score

Rain probability0–15%: no penalty30%: up to 8 points50%: up to 20 points70%: up to 32 points100%: up to 45 points

Rainfall amountUnder 0.1 mm: no penalty0.1–0.5 mm: 10–26 points0.5–1.5 mm: 26–36 points1.5–3 mm: 36–42 pointsOver 3 mm: 45 points

Wind and gustsUp to 10 km/h: no penalty11–20 km/h: light penalty21–35 km/h: increasing difficultyExtra penalty when gusts exceed steady windScore capped at 25 in severe wind

Feels-like temperature15–26°C: ideal range10–14°C or 27–30°C: light penalty5–9°C or 31–34°C: stronger penaltyBelow 5°C or above 35°C: substantial penalty

Rain probability and rainfall amount are not added together. We use the larger penalty so that one weather event is not counted twice. Rain in several hours affects the four-hour average, while a single shower has a smaller effect on the full-round score.

Safety overrides

Some conditions are not merely a low score

When thunderstorms are forecast during a proposed round, GolfWeather replaces the score with Do not play. Very high UV and feels-like temperatures of 35°C or more generate separate warnings. Golfers must always follow the course’s lightning siren, closure decisions and local safety instructions.

Understanding the number

Score bands

90–100 Exceptional80–89 Excellent70–79 Good55–69 Fair40–54 Difficult0–39 Poor

Data and limitations

Forecasts are estimates

Weather is calculated for each course’s geographic coordinates using model data from Open-Meteo.com. Conditions can differ across a property and forecasts can change. Scores are recalculated whenever fresh forecast data is retrieved.

The model is currently in beta. We will compare its recommendations with golfer feedback across coastal and inland courses, seasons, provinces and tee times. Material changes will be published as a new methodology version.

Help us validate it

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Real playing experience will help us tune the model responsibly.

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