Playing on a windy day presents its own set of challenges to the game of golf. Not only do you have to focus on your swing, your posture, stance, etc. but you also have to worry about how the wind might affect your golf ball. Here are some tips for playing in the wind.
How it affects your ball
Playing golf in the wind can be very tricky, not only is it affecting your swing and where your ball winds up, but typically the wind is ever changing. With the wind always changing comes the problem of not being able to predict where it will fall, or how it will be affected mid-air. Wind definitely affects the flight of your ball, if it’s strong enough.
If it’s just a breezy day, take it easy. Changes are the wind isn’t strong enough to move your ball or affect your swing. Don’t overcompensate by hitting your ball too hard and ruining that hole. Take the time to analyze the wind speed and direction before you hit.
If it’s a super windy day, one might ask why you’re out on the green in the first place. Something to take note of, is that in super windy places most players don’t hit very high. The reason: the longer your ball is in the air, the higher the chance that the wind is going to affect it. In windy places like Scotland, players keep their hits closer to the ground. If it’s windy, remember that taking lower shots will likely mean a lower score for you.
If it is a really windy day, be sure to assess your stance. Wind can definitely affect your balance and there for your swing. So before you take your swing, focus on your stance, and try to lower your center of gravity closer to the ground. If you’re more connected with the ground, you’re more likely to be balanced and have a better swing.
How it affects roll
Remember that the wind doesn’t only affect things in the air, but it will affect lightweight things on the ground as well. So if you’re lucky enough to get the golf ball close to your target during a windy day, you might be unlucky enough to have the wind roll the ball farther away from your target.
On some windy days it might be best to call it good and go home. If the wind is strong enough it might be hard to mark your ball when it does land, before it is rolled by the wind and potentially out of play.
Source: River’s Edge Golf Blog