Jeff (and others), It's spring here in Indiana, which means lots of wind. I'm curious about what kind of strategies you employ when playing in the wind - both a mild wind and the 20-30+ variety.
The course I usually play has small, fast, domed greens, and I'm having a hard time hitting them in a strong wind, especially from the scoring areas - 150ish and in. Outside that yardage, and I can punch in a mid iron or smooth a long iron and have actually been closer to the pin than when I'm approaching from inside that yardage. I guess I need to work on some softer, smoother punch shots with my wedges and short/mid irons??
I have actually had some of my best success when it blows very hard because it makes me focus on rhythm and pace more than anything else. I never try to overpower the ball when it is windy because more speed equals more spin which is bad in the wind.
I think most players swing to hard into the wind AND downwind which gets them of their game. I use the less is more philosophy when playing in the wind. Less effort into the wind with less loft. Use more loft downwind with the same effort and you will see better results.
I have actually had some of my best success when it blows very hard because it makes me focus on rhythm and pace more than anything else. I never try to overpower the ball when it is windy because more speed equals more spin which is bad in the wind.
I think most players swing to hard into the wind AND downwind which gets them of their game. I use the less is more philosophy when playing in the wind. Less effort into the wind with less loft. Use more loft downwind with the same effort and you will see better results.
I have actually had some of my best success when it blows very hard because it makes me focus on rhythm and pace more than anything else. I never try to overpower the ball when it is windy because more speed equals more spin which is bad in the wind.
I think most players swing to hard into the wind AND downwind which gets them of their game. I use the less is more philosophy when playing in the wind. Less effort into the wind with less loft. Use more loft downwind with the same effort and you will see better results.
Our friends on the Emerald Isle are experts at this. Hey, where are the Irish guys........St Patricks day was almost three weeks ago!
Hogan it is said would knock down his shots when hitting into the wind or down wind. Seve used to take three clubs too many and swing easy.
Our friends on the Emerald Isle are experts at this. Hey, where are the Irish guys........St Patricks day was almost three weeks ago!
Hogan it is said would knock down his shots when hitting into the wind or down wind. Seve used to take three clubs too many and swing easy.
OB
Some advice from Ireland where it is always windy:
1) Play the longest club possible - This keeps spin down
2) Keep your chest on top of shot to keep it low
3) Never hit a short iron 100% - Aim for 75% max
4) Don't get too handsy - Good pivot is key - Its easy too get way too much handsy in wind
5) Weight on left to keep ball down
6) Remember your acquired motion
7) Keep patient!
__________________ Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing.
Some advice from Ireland where it is always windy:
1) Play the longest club possible - This keeps spin down
2) Keep your chest on top of shot to keep it low
3) Never hit a short iron 100% - Aim for 75% max
4) Don't get too handsy - Good pivot is key - Its easy too get way too much handsy in wind
5) Weight on left to keep ball down
6) Remember your acquired motion
7) Keep patient!
Great notes Sean. Thanks.
"Play the longest club possible". I love that advice. The guys who have it the other way around are great to play a match against when in strong winds.
Number 4 reminds me of Hogan's "arm shot". As in "Im going to arm me a little 7 iron". We TGM enthusiasts can also note that he didnt Swivel back onto the inclined plane at Finish and employed an Angled Hinge Action. No doubt leaving him with its associated "no roll" feel in the hands. One man's "arm shot" is another man's "no roll" sensation in the hands. Wind or no wind this is a good shot to have in the arsenal.
I have actually had some of my best success when it blows very hard because it makes me focus on rhythm and pace more than anything else. I never try to overpower the ball when it is windy because more speed equals more spin which is bad in the wind.
I think most players swing to hard into the wind AND downwind which gets them of their game. I use the less is more philosophy when playing in the wind. Less effort into the wind with less loft. Use more loft downwind with the same effort and you will see better results.
I agree totally, this past Sunday I shot a UnoCal (76) (gas station chain in Calif) with the wind blowing 25 mph on a course with a slope of 130 using the approach golfgnome mentions.
I lower my ballstriking expectations. I don't expect to hit 14 greens and shoot around par if my putter is hot or not. Instead, I start to accept the fact that I'll probably hit something like 9 greens and I'll have to make up for it with good chipping putting. Try and keep stuff out of major troubles and let the short game do its job. That and realize you'll have to hit a lot of half shots. Half shots into the wind, half shots with the wind.
And as they say in FLA, 'when it's breezy, swing easy.'
Here is a favourite approach shot of mine when its really howling .....three club wind or so.
I use a stance and swing exactly like a super smooth 3/4 sand wedge shot......but with way more club than normal. So narrow stance, no release swivel, short ish back and through, a sweeping smooth easy tempo and a 5 iron or 6 iron or whatever will get me the required distance at such a light lag pressure. The ball comes out dead, with hardly any spin and just cuts through the wind.
I visualize the shot as if it is a 75 yard wedge shot despite the club in my hand or the distance Im going.
Its a great shot on par 3's. Your friends who try and fight the wind may call you by your wifes name for bit but you can often point who is closest to the pin.
Hybrid Mode
