Golf Altitude Distance Calculator (How Much Farther at Elevation?)

How it works

Distance gain (%) ≈ 0.00116 × elevation in feet (≈ 1.16% per 1,000 ft or 3.8% per 1,000 m) · carry at elevation = home carry × (1 + gain at course) ÷ (1 + gain at home) · plays-like distance = target ÷ that factor.

Thinner air at elevation means less drag and slightly less lift, so the ball flies farther. Titleist’s engineers use a simple rule: multiply the elevation in feet by 0.00116 to get the percentage gain, which works out to about 6% in Denver (5,280 ft). The calculator compares the course with your home elevation, so a golfer from a mountain town visiting the coast sees a loss instead. Temperature, humidity, wind and ball speed also matter, and short wedge shots gain a little less than full drives.

Worked example

You carry a 7-iron 150 m at sea level and play a course at 1,600 m (5,249 ft). Gain = 0.00116 × 5,249 = 6.09%, so the shot carries 150 × 1.0609 = 159.1 m, an extra 9.1 m. A flag 150 m away plays like 141.4 m.

Sources: The Left Rough — How elevation affects golf distance (Titleist 0.00116 rule) · Golf.com — Keys to playing at elevation

Frequently asked questions