Battling the elements is one of the most challenging aspects of golf, and of all the elements that a golfer will face, the wind is the most common and challenging to overcome. When even a gentle breeze can affect a ball’s flight, most players expect high scores if there is a moderate to strong wind blowing across the course. The good news is that just as the challenges of playing in the rain can be overcome by adjusting your game, you can also adjust your swing and shot selection to compensate for the wind. Understanding how different wind directions affect a ball’s flight will help keep your scores down. In this post, we will examine how to tackle a headwind, tailwind, and crosswind and how you can best prepare yourself to be a competent golfer in windy conditions.
Hitting into Headwind
If hitting into a strong headwind, it is better to drop a club or two rather than try to hit the ball harder. A common phrase in golf is “Swing it easy when it’s breezy,” and the meaning of this phrase is that if you hit the ball harder, you will likely create extra backspin, which will cause the ball to go higher and off your intended line. A steady swing with a lower club will get you the necessary yardage without compromising your shot. When judging the distance for your club selection, a general rule of thumb for hitting into a headwind is to add an extra yard to your shot for every 1mph of wind. For example, if the headwind is 10mph, you would add 10 yards to your shot distance. To keep the ball under the wind and reduce the spin as much as possible during its flight, move the ball back in your stance.
Hitting With Tailwind
Striking the golf ball with the wind behind you can be advantageous as it will carry the ball further. This is great for when your main focus is distance, but you will need greater swing control for precision shots, such as hitting the green, to ensure you don’t overhit. A tailwind will not only add distance in the air but also make the ball roll more when it lands. You also need to hit the ball with enough backspin so that it doesn’t drop out of the sky too soon. When hitting with a tailwind, the general rule of thumb for club distance is to divide the wind mph in half and then subtract that number from your yardage. If the wind is 10mph, divide it by half to get 5 and then subtract 5 from the distance.
Hitting Through a Crosswind
A crosswind can have a massive effect on the flight of your ball. There are two ways to hit a ball with a crosswind: with the wind or against the wind. Of the two, hitting with the wind is the easiest to judge and the most forgiving. So, if the wind is going left to right, aim to the left and let the wind bring the ball back. Playing against the wind requires much more skill. A golfer must hit a fade or draw in the opposite direction of the wind so that the curve of the ball’s flight into the wind will produce a straight shot. Do note that, as with hitting into a headwind, aim for less backspin so the wind won’t impact the ball’s flight. To gauge the strength of the wind, throw some grass in the air, or if you can see it, take note of the flag. For your short game, low chips are better than pitch shots.
Practice on the Driving Range Before You Play
Aside from just warming up before the round, you can use the driving range as an effective way to gauge how the wind will impact your game. This will give you the best idea of how to adjust your club and swing selection to combat the windy conditions. Pay close attention to how the wind affects the ball on high shots if the wind is going across you. If you are able to hit with a headwind or a tailwind, pay attention to how much distance you gain or lose on average using the range markers.
Practice With Indoor Golf
Playing golf in a strong wind can be a frustrating experience, especially for those new to the sport. The most effective way to not let windy conditions completely derail your round is to be comfortable playing in adverse weather conditions, and this can be achieved by playing indoor golf on a virtual simulator. One of the adjustments you can make on a virtual golf simulator is the weather conditions, allowing you to set the wind speed and direction both on the virtual driving range and on the virtual courses. You will be able to see the ball’s flight on the screen and accurately see how the wind affects your shot, giving you a greater understanding that can be applied to the golf course.