Playing in bad weather..

[cougar978]

I managed to eke out a 79 yesterday with three penalty strokes (had to re-tee off the first tee because I chunked the ball into a ditch in front of the tee box and then had a two-stroke penalty on 7 when my par putt struck the pin when it was on the ground).

The weather yesterday was comparable to what you would see in the British Open (temps in the low 50's, wind around 20 gusting 30, and intermittent light rain), so I was able to get in 18 in about 2:15 - only played through one group.

My theory about bad weather is, if you can do well in that (I was a bad tee shot and a stupid penalty away from a 75 on a reasonably challenging course), you can do that much better when conditions are optimal for play. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority here, but I like it more when conditions are bad, because I know it's going to screw up a good portion of the field that isn't prepared for it.

I'm just curious - do any of you agree or disagree with my opinion?

[kfowler]

I don't like it only because of the added variables. Add cold weather and wind and it can make club selection very difficult. That being said I play in these conditions a lot due to where I live.

[ctyankee]

I'm just curious - do any of you agree or disagree with my opinion?

I would agree that 'mind over matter' is a factor. Years ago, I used to play in the rain with an umbrella. But I found that using it was worse than not using it as you had to think about when to use it, when to stop using it, where to put it down etc. So now, I just play with rain gloves and a rain jacket and a hat. And as I carry, this baby ...

http://www.tgw.com/customer/category...TEGORY_ID=5303 It may not look like much, but it's a high quality rain bag cover which zips open from the top, making getting your club out without getting your gear wet easy, easy, easy. I'm only so-so in the rain, but I do know guys that can really step up and play well in it. I usually use a short sleeve rain jacket as I don't want the sleeves unless it's really outrageously bad. As for wind, that's often a big factor on my course so it's expected. As for cold, I just stop playing when it gets down below 45 degrees.

[mctaylor22]

I agree with you on the notion that bad weather will take its tole on every player on the field, but I absolutely hate bad weather--especially rain. Everything gets wet and I can't hold on to the club, especially off the tee box. Plus there's the possibility of rust forming on your clubs (which has happened to me ).

[cougar978]

I agree with you on the notion that bad weather will take its tole on every player on the field, but I absolutely hate bad weather--especially rain. Everything gets wet and I can't hold on to the club, especially off the tee box. Plus there's the possibility of rust forming on your clubs (which has happened to me

I get rust on my clubs all the time (especially my 8I and PW - I have worn off the protective coating on the soles of both of them on the range) - it's not a big deal - just swing the club a couple times and the rust should come off after a few swipes through the turf.

[mctaylor22]

I get rust on my clubs all the time (especially my 8I and PW - I have worn off the protective coating on the soles of both of them on the range) - it's not a big deal - just swing the club a couple times and the rust should come off after a few swipes through the turf.

Yeah, but I love my ZM's too much for rust to form on them. They're so shiny I don't know, I just don't like seeing rust on something expensive.

[kafka01]

If rust would be the only thing you have to deal with while playing in bad weather - no problem, i dont care.

Pouring Rain is the worst for me. Getting wet is not that much of a problem, but trying to keep your grips dry is a pain in the a... . Another problem i face when playing in rain - rushing out under the umbrella, rushing into the shot just to get back under the umbrella - not good... Another thing is low temperatures - i just have no feel, cant get my body warmed up, and my swing feels completly "disoriented" and wearing three layers of clothing doesnt help. But unless you live in golfers paradise, bad weather is something you have to get used too and with that comes the expierence.

My theory about bad weather is, if you can do well in that, you can do that much better when conditions are optimal for play

Of course it helps you under normal conditions, since you know you can shoot low even in the worst conditions, what kind of excuse would you have for yourself when you shoot 85 on a sunny warm windless day. It gives your game a big confidence boost.

[cougar978]

If rust would be the only thing you have to deal with while playing in bad weather - no problem, i dont care.

No excuse for doing that poorly - especially when you're out trying to get 30 other guys to pay for your groceries for the week and possibly a new pair of golf shoes.

[mctaylor22]

No excuse for doing that poorly - especially when you're out trying to get 30 other guys to pay for your groceries for the week and possibly a new pair of golf shoes.

That's another thing I hate about the rain. I wear white shoes and they look horrific after a round in the mud.

[VOX]

I play a lot of two-man tournaments with the same partner. He has always laughed at me because when it rains and blows, I love it since "this is bound to srew up the competition!".

[2bGood]

I don't mind the rain as I use the FJ rain gloves and they work great! the wetter they get the better the grip. I also like the wind as it makes me think about shots and I can grab and extra club or two and not try to play for "perfect" shots but rather just hit the ball into the hole