[AngelinaLip]

The golf courses here in SE Cheeseland opened pretty early this year, and while it hasn't been the warmest Spring ever, it has been relatively dry. What we have been dealing with is wind, and from what I read in other threads/posts, it has also been really windy in other parts of the country. I don't know, maybe it's been really windy all over the world. If so, it's probably due to the increase in greenhouse gases caused by George Bush, American flatulence, and American gas guzzling SUVs.

I used to think I was a fairly good wind player, and pretty adept at hitting knockdown shots. This Spring I have really struggled in the wind. It's so frustrating to not be hitting the ball very well in general, and then have the wind just completely wreak havoc with what good shots I have managed to hit. The more I struggled, the more I tried to compensate for the wind, which lead to over swinging, bad ball position and alignment, and overall stupid play.

Today was the first round I played where the wind was not substantial, and surprise, I had my best round of the year. I'm not so sure I would find the game as appealing if I lived in a place where the wind howled a high percentage of the time. I really admire those that can play well in the wind.

Anyhooo, is there anybody that likes playing in the wind? What kind of mindset or what kind of strategies do you take to the course when faced with a round on a really windy day? I've found myself almost dreading a couple of rounds I played this year, and that doesn't do much to promote good play.

Kevin

[iodigmaFemZem]

Sounds like I'm not too far south of you here in Northwest Illinois and it has been awfuly windy here too. It's always windy in these parts but it seems worse this spring than normal.

Like you, my best round of the season has been when there has been zero wind. It's so frustrating to have a good shot start off right on line, only to end up in the beach or trash. I do not enjoy playing in the wind and I find myself getting fed up with up it early on the back nine.

I don't have any major words of wisdom, only I should try to stay focused on each shot if it's windy or not. Obviously I'm still working on it myself.

[Rqqneujr]

the thing i try to remember when playing in some stiff winds is just to "trust it". trust my swing, and most importantly trust the wind. i've learned some tough lessons in life and one of the most important ones was that you can't over power nature.

[bjacogaerllyo]

Besides grabbing more club into the wind,but we must swing smoother to avoid adding too much spin.The harder we swing the more spin we add and as we all know more spin in the wind kills us.

[Enfonebew]

I am in the exact same boat as you Esox...

The problem is I have never been "taught" how to hit a knock down shot- and struggle enough with the ball striking in my normal swing that attempting to learn would not be likely to go smoothly. I play the same game in the wind that I do when its calm, I just give/take yards and let the wind do what it will to the ball. I also tend to play for the safe miss and often make no attempt other than to aim at the center of the green... pin placement be damned.

I know it's not ideal, but its what I got.

[hLabXZlK]

Besides grabbing more club into the wind,but we must swing smoother to avoid adding too much spin.The harder we swing the more spin we add and as we all know more spin in the wind kills us.

This part of Nebraska has 20 to 30 mph all the time it seem's. I think the best advice is what just came from Biglefty above. Limit the damage and do your best to stay below it, but sing hard and you will see that ball come around and back to you, lol. Also keep in mind that at some point you will get to hit with the wind.

[V8V8V8]

I don't like playing in strong wind all that much, but I sometimes enjoy the challenge of gauging the distance/wind/club and hitting those knock-downs. The only thing I change is when I am playing into a strong head-wind. I always try to hit a knock-down draw. They seem to be more predictable than the fade in strong wind.

[Squeernemergo]

Anyhooo, is there anybody that likes playing in the wind? What kind of mindset or what kind of strategies do you take to the course when faced with a round on a really windy day? I've found myself almost dreading a couple of rounds I played this year, and that doesn't do much to promote good play.

Kevin

I enjoy playing in the wind. It makes a familiar course play so differently that I can get a new golf experience without leaving home. I approach it like any other round. I simply set my mind on the game, knowing that each hole will play differently that it normally does. I compensate by simply accepting the fact that some holes will play significantly longer than normal, but that will be countered by the knowledge that other holes will play shorter. I also accept that I will be missing a lot of greens, and be facing chips and pitches to get up and down to save scores. I simply like the challenge.

I don't play a lot of deliberate knockdowns either... it isn't a shot that I've really learned very well, so I'm not usually going to bother with it. I do often play half and 3/4 swing shots with longer clubs than normal to minimize the wind effect, but that is usually for crosswinds, not so much for upwind or downwind.

Just an example... a couple of weeks ago I played in a wind so strong (40 mph sustained with gusts higher - just north of here in Boulder they recorded an 87 MPH gust that day)) that we sometimes had to wait for a brief lull just to address the ball without being blown around. That day I was even par through 8 holes, made a triple on 9 (NOT the fault of the wind), and finished with an 84, one stroke under my handicap.

When all is said and done, I simply acknowledge that my score may be a bit above average, and that way I don't worry excessively about an extra bogey here and there. By going into the game with that mindset, I find that I often DO score right at my normal level because I don't let the wind get in my head. Like so much else in golf, when you approach it with a negative attitude, you will usually achieve less than positive results.

[Emunsesoxmete]

wind....it sure does blow

[adoreorerie]

It has been extremely windy here in NC thus far this year as well. The past month I don't think I've played a single round where there wasn't at least a club difference for shots into the wind. On Saturday we had to play in a consistent 20mph wind that was gusting much higher at times. I hit pure tee shots that would almost turn sideways, I had to hit 4 iron into a 180 yard par 3 down hill that ended up being 25 yards short of the green. I have just come to the realization that if its windy I'm going to miss alot of greens and pars are gonna have to be earned with chips and putts.

[Evoncalabbalo]

Windy spring here as well. The course I play most often has a ton of big trees, so the wind isn't a factor (unless you get the ball way up in the air) for about 50% of the holes. One problem I have noticed is that I don't really know how much to compensate for a cross-wind. I will aim off to the side, thinking the wind will bring it back on target, and it won't bring it back far enough. I'm sure it just takes experience to get a good handle on it.

[chuecaloversvvp]

I had a lot of wind during my round today, I haven't played in this strength of wind for a long time! It cost me on the 12th hole: When my tee-shot left the club I thought I had hit it perfectly. It was hit right into the wind, it was right on line and stayed dead-straight, it stayed reasonably low, it was up there for what seemed like a long time, then dropped into the pond, easily two clubs short! I was surprised, but not even annoyed: It was by far my best tee-shot of the day!

I suppose I should have layed up: I didn't have two clubs longer in my bag!! Or perhaps I should have waited: The wind didn't seem to let up when I was on the tee-box, but once I had reached the green it was dead calm!

[trubreTab]

wind destroyed my last 2 rounds(well thats what im telling myself anyways)
guess im not the one to give any advice

[Trebbinsa]

It has been windy here in Wisconsin thus far this season and I honestly dont mind the wind. I simply play the ball farther back in my stance to keep it low and out of the wind or I will play into the wind (if its a crosswind).
I find that the wind adds another element to the game, which gives you something more to consider and makes the game more fun actually.

[EarnestKS]

never mess with Mother Nature

[ReneCM]

Here in AZ, we have had a really windy spring. I have played in 40MPH winds more than once. Like Lefty said, you've got to take more club and swing easier if your are going to be successful. I can hit the knock-down with almost any club which really helps. Regardless, you just have to be able to accept that a long par 4 into the teeth of the wind may be a par 5 for you on that day, you can make it up playing with the wind on another hole.

[Hrennilasi]

im going out in a few hours to play but its blowing well any tips?

[Pashtet]

a course pro gave me great tip few years ago which has stood to me very well. with my driver at address normally half the ball should be above the driver (wind) only a 1/4 of the ball above the driver this gives you a lower ball flight. with irons into the wind play more of a punch shot to get the ball moving trough the wind.

hopefully it helps

[daasayse]

Swing easy when it's breezy!

Sure there's a thread on this not too far back too.

[AngelinaLip]

Hit knockdown shots.

Kevin