Playing in Bad Weather

Golf is a game played outside and with that is inconsistent playing conditions day-to-day.  There is nothing a golfer likes more than a beautiful 80 degree day with the sun shining and calm winds.  However, this is not always the case.  I will offer tips to perform your best when the conditions are less than ideal.

Proper State of Mind

To start off, my first tip is to have the proper mindset when playing in tough conditions.  If you get to the tournament with pouring rains and heavy winds, it is truly important to have a good attitude and how you look at the upcoming round. 

A huge thing to remember is that the conditions are the same for everyone.  Everybody in the field has to deal with the sub-par circumstances.  If you get down on the round because of the weather around you, then you are already behind.  The key is to take it one shot at a time knowing it isn’t just you dealing with it, but it is everybody.
 

Playing in the Wind

Wind plays a huge part in a round when it comes to club selection, distance, and directional control.  Heavy winds can make it tough to execute an otherwise straightforward shot you are used to on a nice calm day.  One thing to remember in the wind is tone it down a tad.  I always remember to “swing easy when it’s breezy”.  The reason for this is because swinging easier will aid in making solid and crisp contact which is crucial in the wind.  If you swing out of control and make poor contact, the wind will affect the ball flight to a much greater degree than if you made good contact by swinging easy. 

Take advantage of down-wind holes where you may need to use less club and also holes that are into the wind where it becomes easier to stop the golf ball. By using the wind to help in cases can offer an advantage.

 

Playing in the Rain

Nobody really enjoys playing golf in the rain but it is something we all do at some point.  The biggest thing to worry about when playing a round in the rain is to keep your equipment dry.  Carrying extra towels and and umbrella can turn out to be a lifesavor.   In the rain, store more towels in your bag so you can replace damp ones when necessary.   This can save you many shots over the course of a round. Check out Playing Golf in Bad Weather: 4 Keys to Going Low as he offers excellent, alternative ways to combat the rain.

Learn how to play in bad weather and you will be better off in good weather.  Or let’s hope anyway.