When stepping out on the first tee, everything can be in place for a great round of golf. Practice has been going well, mentally you are focused and your equipment is fine-tuned, you are geared up for a low score. However, one thing players have never been able to control, is the weather. Just as you tee up your ball, the wind decides to pick up, in an attempt to play havoc with your round. Thankfully, we have some great tips for how to play well in the wind.
Firstly, if there is a head wind, do not make the common mistake of trying to swing the club harder to compensate for it. This will not work, as the harder you strike the ball, the more backspin you will generate and combined with the wind, you will end up dropping short of your target. Instead of doing this, trying swinging the club more smoothly, at 80% capacity. This will take some of the spin off the ball and also keep the flight trajectory lower, which will take some of the wind out of play.
It goes without saying, the longer the ball is in the air during a windy day, the more chance the wind will have to affect it. If you have ever played a Scottish links course, you will probably have seen players trying to hit the ball low, as often as they can. To help with this, try moving the ball back in your stance and keeping your weight forward. This will ensure you are hitting down on the ball and keeping your hands ahead of the ball on impact, which both help to keep ball flight low.
When the conditions around the course are windy, do not be afraid to change the club you are using. By switching to a club which will naturally deliver less speed and spin, you can remain in control of the shot but also keep the flight of the ball low.
Occasionally, there may be little option but to hit the ball high, especially if you need to carry some trees for example. In this case, the most important thing is to take note of the speed and direction of the wind. Sometimes, it is possible to use the wind, to guide the ball close to the green or hole. Remember, a straight shot in the wind, is not going to fly straight, it is going to be taken in the direction of the wind and how far, depends on the strength of the wind. Using sound judgement, the wind could become your friend not your foe.
Finally and perhaps most importantly, know when to cut your losses when playing in strong winds. Do not be afraid to lay-up more often than you usually would and stay away from very challenging shots, involving bunkers or water hazards.
