Golf in the wind

As most of the UK is getting a bit of a battering at the moment - how do you see playing in the wind - thrive off the challenge or struggle to judge things?

I'm lucky having an effective punch shot with a 4/5 iron, but my driver just goes into the stratosphere regards how low I tee it. I see it as great fun though and a good chance to try and shape shots

The wind really sorts out those who do not strike the ball correctly, having said that, the wind is there to be used and learning all the shots that one can play into, downwind and against a cross wind will always stand one in good stead.

I'll tell you after tomorrow!!

You remember Bob Tootell. He booked what he thought was a very cheap golf holiday in Florida. When he got there it was hurricane season.

Undaunted, him and his mates started the first of their pre-booked rounds just as the winds were starting to get up.

Bob hit his driver on the first tee, he always got good elevation with his drives but this one went about 80yds forward, then up , back over his head, and landed 100yds behind him.

They returned to the clubhouse and didnt hit another ball all week !

That gave me a laugh Tony. As for the wind, I play a lot on the Sussex coast. Hollingbury, Lewes, Seaford head. When its windy its bloody windy up on those downs / cliffs. Driver 120yds into the wind. PW 170 yds with the wind. Worst of all is sidewind. Only advice I would give is use the wind dont try to fight it. Tee it high with wind behind. Use a mid iron keep it low into the wind and be happy with 150yd drives.  Also widen your stance on putts.

Dave CAC handed Geordie

If you know how to control a ball, you can play in anything. Knowing what a good score is on a 'bad' day is half the battle. Trying to shoot level par on a day that breaking 80 is good will distroy many golfer.

Many golfers will not play "unless they have to" in bad conditions so don't have the knowledge to adapt to those conditions. Hitting balls in high wind on the range is OK to an extent but learning how a ball reacts on a course is worth a lot more.

TheLyth

Dave.... I know what it can be like down in Sussex. Used to live in Henfield and played a lot at Waterhall ...when it blew there it blew

Played today in the strong winds. Our course is on top of one of the highest hills for miles around. Great fun trying to judge how much the wind would blow your ball sideways and trying to estimate the landing area. Aimed 30 yards right of the green on one hole from 120yards in. Bunker right across the front so had no choice but to take the ariel route. Made par!!! Had quite a good round considering the conditions. 9 over for the round but off a shortened course cos of 9 winter tee's. Don't mind the wind, it's the rain I don't like.

I dont mind the wind too much except for the strong left to right wind, as i tend to fade my driver and 3 wood. Still its lots of fun and better than the rain, just need to keep hold of your hat. 

New Drivers are designed to get the ball airborne, so keeping the ball down with them is alot harder than with the 'old' wooden heads.

Being able to hit the ball with the bottom of the face off a tee slanted forward enables me to 'drive' the ball forward. Also you don't lose as much distance when the ball is on the ground. New course design doesn't allow for too many run-up shots so you have to play within the scope of your ability and the course design.

TheLyth

Mark/Lyth, how do the current multi piece balls perform in the wind ?