Tips for Golfing in Bad Weather
Golf is tough enough in nice weather. But what do you do when the wind picks up or it starts raining?
If you know how to adjust your game to fit the elements,you can go for the green while your fellows scramble for an up-and-down par or bogey.
You'd think a strong wind at your back is a good thing, and that when you turn into it you should just grab an extra club or two and hope you hit it squarely.
But sometimes that headwind can be your best friend, particularly when hitting into a hard green with a long iron or putting down a treacherous slope.
Watch the grass carefully not only for direction but also for speed. While a 12 mph wind may feel a lot like an 18 mph wind on your face, the difference on your ball flight will be noticeable.
Don't change the force of your swing based on wind direction and speed. Instead, change your club selection and take your usual swing.
More club into a headwind not only delivers more distance, but the lower trajectory also cuts into the wind and allows for more roll when it lands.
Additionally, a harder swing produces more backspin on the ball, creating lift and bringing the wind even more into play. Widen your stance to stabilize yourself and your swing. You will also gain control by choking down on your club.
Stick with your normal straight shot and compensate for the wind with your aim. Wind multiplies the effect of sidespin on balls; a squarely-hit straight shot that gets pushed 10 feet by the wind might get thrown 30 feet if it has even a little unexpected sidespin in the wrong direction.
What about rain? Well, playing in the rain (never a thunderstorm), while just another part of the game for the pros, can be a frustrating experience for the high
handicapper.
Not only is your vision often compromised and your grip slippery, everything just feels heavier. Balls plug instead of rolling, fairway shots feel "fat" even when
struck fairly well, and wet sand requires a different approach than the typical bunker shot.
Overcoming rain starts with good equipment. If rain's in the forecast, take a big umbrella, several towels, a wide-brimmed hat, some rain pants, a light rain jacket, and a pair of gloves (right and left hand) especially designed for wet conditions, such as Spider gloves.
On the course, take an extra club or two on most shots. Swinging harder will only increase the chances of losing your footing during the swing.
Humid air tends to slow balls down and reduce carry, so you'll want to get the most out of the airtime you do get, especially since you may get little or no roll in the
fairway.
Consider laying up if you catch heavy rough on your tee shot. The wet conditions only make rough that much harder to escape from cleanly, and you're more apt to overswing (and possibly slip) if you think you can reach the green.
For bunker shots, try to pick the ball out cleanly instead of splashing the ball out on a bed of sand. Also consider using a lofted iron other than your flanged sand wedge, which will tend to bounce harder off the wet sand and exacerbate the effects of a slight mis-hit.
Hit putts harder on wet greens. You might be surprised how quickly a ball will stop on a wet green, even downhill.
Finally, know the rules as they relate to casual water, as you will almost certainly be faced with this issue at least once during your round.
Want to know more about dealing with weather conditions or other intricacies of golf? You can find many more tips and tactics in the new ebook, "How To Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!"
[golf tip],[golf], [golf in bad weather], [golf in rain]
If you know how to adjust your game to fit the elements,you can go for the green while your fellows scramble for an up-and-down par or bogey.
You'd think a strong wind at your back is a good thing, and that when you turn into it you should just grab an extra club or two and hope you hit it squarely.
But sometimes that headwind can be your best friend, particularly when hitting into a hard green with a long iron or putting down a treacherous slope.
Watch the grass carefully not only for direction but also for speed. While a 12 mph wind may feel a lot like an 18 mph wind on your face, the difference on your ball flight will be noticeable.
Don't change the force of your swing based on wind direction and speed. Instead, change your club selection and take your usual swing.
More club into a headwind not only delivers more distance, but the lower trajectory also cuts into the wind and allows for more roll when it lands.
Additionally, a harder swing produces more backspin on the ball, creating lift and bringing the wind even more into play. Widen your stance to stabilize yourself and your swing. You will also gain control by choking down on your club.
Stick with your normal straight shot and compensate for the wind with your aim. Wind multiplies the effect of sidespin on balls; a squarely-hit straight shot that gets pushed 10 feet by the wind might get thrown 30 feet if it has even a little unexpected sidespin in the wrong direction.
What about rain? Well, playing in the rain (never a thunderstorm), while just another part of the game for the pros, can be a frustrating experience for the high
handicapper.
Not only is your vision often compromised and your grip slippery, everything just feels heavier. Balls plug instead of rolling, fairway shots feel "fat" even when
struck fairly well, and wet sand requires a different approach than the typical bunker shot.
Overcoming rain starts with good equipment. If rain's in the forecast, take a big umbrella, several towels, a wide-brimmed hat, some rain pants, a light rain jacket, and a pair of gloves (right and left hand) especially designed for wet conditions, such as Spider gloves.
On the course, take an extra club or two on most shots. Swinging harder will only increase the chances of losing your footing during the swing.
Humid air tends to slow balls down and reduce carry, so you'll want to get the most out of the airtime you do get, especially since you may get little or no roll in the
fairway.
Consider laying up if you catch heavy rough on your tee shot. The wet conditions only make rough that much harder to escape from cleanly, and you're more apt to overswing (and possibly slip) if you think you can reach the green.
For bunker shots, try to pick the ball out cleanly instead of splashing the ball out on a bed of sand. Also consider using a lofted iron other than your flanged sand wedge, which will tend to bounce harder off the wet sand and exacerbate the effects of a slight mis-hit.
Hit putts harder on wet greens. You might be surprised how quickly a ball will stop on a wet green, even downhill.
Finally, know the rules as they relate to casual water, as you will almost certainly be faced with this issue at least once during your round.
Want to know more about dealing with weather conditions or other intricacies of golf? You can find many more tips and tactics in the new ebook, "How To Break 80...And Shoot Like the Pros!"
[golf tip],[golf], [golf in bad weather], [golf in rain]
posted by Chris Stirling @ 9:38 PM
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