The Wind!

[Surfdude104]

It plays havock with my game. couldn't think straight.
What do you do if its ridiculously windy, any tips?
Every drive was getting caught up and ending up on someone else's fairway.
x

[Mr Eagle]

As with all conditions ,play the course as you find it.If its blowing a bit then I play par 4's as par 5's.Takes the pressure off of useing a driver from the tee..Three punch shots with a 5 iron will get you on the green of most par 4's into the wind and you may even be close enough to make par anyway.
Played a few Links courses when it been howling and the game is KEEP IT LOW.

[Wisco-Kid]

I just played my first round of the year yesterday in 25 mph winds. It is exhausting to say the least. The howling in your ears, the added concentration needed for club selection, and the frustration of watching what would be a perfect shot get slapped out of the sky. Wind is a part of the game though and I try and not let it bother me. I will take the wind over snow any day!

[Lemay427]

as stated earlier...low low low low. if you cant play low, play the wind...if you consistently hit draws, assuming right handed, and the wind is from your right, play it way to the right of the target if possible. one thing i have made sure to do is keep the ball below the trees if the fairway is lined with trees.

[Hustle]

  Surfdude104 said:

It plays havock with my game. couldn't think straight.

Play the wind and by all means, if it is blowing one direction than you must trust it... To me the wind is like having an extra club in my bag, if you get over your fear of it and learn to use it to your advantage you will see great results.....

[popey]

My advice = go sit in clubhouse!

[Dent]

Put the ball in the back of your stance, and then have a low follow through. Almost as if your stopping yourself through the swing, if you can do it.

[tjy355]

  Surfdude104 said:

It plays havock with my game. couldn't think straight.

I've found some marginal success with the driver hitting the "wind cheater"

- Choke up a little bit - ball back in your stance a little bit - take a 3/4 swing Should give you a low and straight trajectory. Won't go as far but you will keep it in the fairway. Just got back from Maui where I played the Plantation course in steady 30mph wind. Man it was tough, but a hell of a lot of fun!

[Big_M]

I can see a few have already responded with the usual bits of advice, which is exactly what you need to do. I think the hardest part is to mentally prepare... on crosswind shots you MUST commit to hitting it way left or right of your target. Into the wind you have to take plenty of club and don't try to kill it as this will only add spin and send it up, up and away. Downwind... bombs away with driver and just adjust approach accordingly. I also try to play more lower pitch shots (especially into the wind)... I'll hit an 8-iron from 80 just to keep it low, and I know the wind will hold it up a bit and the ball should still stop without running out too much.

I played in some moderate winds today out on a links like course... I hit one drive 315, and another under 200... you just have to take what the course gives you. I did manage 8/14 on fairways, which isn't great, but I'll take it with the wind.

[Borf]

I love playing in strong winds, no one else can take it.

It really has nothing to do with the wind tho!

If you slice a ball normally the wind just magnifies it.

If do not hit the ball properly in the first place do not expect to play well in the wind, learn how to hit the ball more solidly

The wind will just make you take more club into the wind, and less downwind, thats the only tips i play by.

[jmanbooyaa]

Opted not to play today. Wind is too much. Normally I don't mind but low 40's and gusting wind I will sit today out. Might end up regretting this but nevertheless no go today

[Patch]

I don't mind the wind so much. To me it's just another hazard to deal with. It's more of a mental, course management thing for me. That said, I will draw the line at anything over a 2 club wind. 3 clubs, or higher,  I put a few extra balls in my bag, and just grin, and bear it.

I find a lot of times, to keep the ball low, I will use my metal woods more often than my irons. I just choke down on them. Also, when ever I can, I let the wind move the ball for me. I have hit shots 50-60+ yards to one side of my target, and let the wind blow the ball back to that target. If the fairways are tree line, I make it a point to never hit a ball above the tops of the trees.

Where the wind bothers me the most are those pesky ground winds, that play havoc on my putts. Wind chill is another factor I take into consideration when the wind is blowing.

[MS256]

I hate wind!!!!!

Always did. Of all of my hobbies, interests and jobs there isn't a single one that requires wind.

As a teenager it messed up my hair (hard to believe that was a big deal but it was).

It wasn't good for hunting, wasn't good for fishing, and wasn't good for playing ball.

When I went to work welding dragline booms 300 feet in the air, the wind exponentially increased the danger of an already dangerous job, and my hatred for it increased in kind.

[ilikefishes]

The best advice I can give is when at address, try to keep the club off the ground. This will allow you to take the club away in a single motion and will ensure you keep your timing.

[Spitfisher]

windy conditions.....for driver, fairway and hybrids,  do not swing one MPH faster ( harder) ever.

for iron play put the ball back in your stance 1/2-1 inch and again swing normal. when in doubt hit a stronger club with an easier swing.

Putting, stand with your feet a little wider apart than normal, choke down slightly.

[vangator]

Back in the early 90's we had a 2 man scramble scheduled when a tropical storm came through. Sixty mile per hour winds but no rain. We played. We were the only group under par (-1) that day. Interesting day of golf. Side winds were the worst. Aim 45 deg left or right and hope the ball comes back. I remember a 120 yard approach shot and it took a full 5 iron to hit the green.

[saevel25]

  Surfdude104 said:

It plays havock with my game. couldn't think straight.

What do you do if its ridiculously windy, any tips?

Every drive was getting caught up and ending up on someone else's fairway.

x

For the driver, learn to hit up on the ball. It produces less spin and cuts thru the wind better.

Most of the time I like to club up and swing easy. It produces a lower trajectory and less spin. I feel like I can control the shot better.

When it is windy, it might be the only time I really try to shape my irons one way or the other. I think it is easier to judge distance if you hold the ball up against the wind than trying to gauge riding the wind. So if the wind is out of the left, I would prefer a draw. If it is out of the right, I would prefer a fade, or my case a push.

[Roblar]

20-25 today.  Not too bad by Oklahoma standards, but any time it gets near to 20 (or above) it gets in my head.