Enough with the wind

[jdjanda]

I played 16 today, didn't bother to finish the last 2 holes. The wind was blowing a constant 20-30 MPH with heavy gusts. My game went to hell and I couldn't make solid contact on any shots. The few shots I did manage to get into the air were at the mercy of the wind blowing the ball 20-30 yards off course.

Today was the type of day that makes me consider selling everything Next time I'm going to not bother wasting the money.

[RC]

I want to encourage you to play in high wind, even if it is frustrating. Eventually it will be worth it.

Playing in wind is tougher, no doubt. However, playing in wind forces you to make solid contact and learn ways to deal with wind effects. I personally think good wind play really improves your golf for all conditions. The Scottish seaside links courses are famous for high winds and it is not uncommon to hit three or even four clubs more into the wind. I think as long as the wind will allow a ball to stay motionless on a reasonably level area of the green. it should be playable conditions -- does not mean I like it, but I'll play. Heck, we have to play in high wind anyway since many days are 20-30 mph ( and higher gusts,) so we would lose at least a quarter of our season. Having played for years in Austin (and sailed as well,) I know high winds are not as common there as in other areas, but take advantage of windy days to learn new ways of playing in such conditions. There is no rule that says you have to hit some kind of wedge from 100 yards... maybe the shot is a little punch 7 iron?

[MiniMoe]

I love hard wind. There is nothing better than hitting a 5 iron (my 190-200 club) from 120. I love hitting a hard driver only 200 yrds into the wind. It makes you use your imagination, try shots you have never tried before.

[B Keller]

I played in the wind on Friday. My 18* hybrid was 175 into the wind and 230-240 with the wind. Considering I think I should get 205-210 out of I was extremely pleased.

The funny thing is I wasn't that effected by the wind. It was my poor wedge came that did me in...cost me probably 10 strokes and I shot 108.

[Big_M]

I agree with these guys. When I lived in Toledo I played a links course just off Lake Erie... when the wind was up it was a bear. I remember a windy day... two back to back holes, one was the longest par 4 and the other a short 4... I hit driver wedge on the long one (drive was around 330), hit driver 5-iron on the short one (drive was under 200). That day we had steady 30mph with some crazy strong gusts (many people lost power from downed tree limbs, etc.). I would aim into deep heather 40 yds left of the green on a par3 and miss right... it was great. The course allowed you to play a lot of different shots which made it a fun windy course.

Sometimes it can be frustraiting, but it will make you better in the end... just try to have fun with it.

[Fourputt]

  MiniMoe said:

I love hard wind. There is nothing better than hitting a 5 iron (my 190-200 club) from 120. I love hitting a hard driver only 200 yrds into the wind. It makes you use your imagination, try shots you have never tried before.

Amen. I love the wind. I live on the west side of the Denver metro area, and the Chinook winds off the mountains can blow 100 mph. I've played in 40+ gales often. Everyone else bitches about it, so I can usually clean up on my regular group. I just swing easy and accept that the ball will do funny things, try to play for it, and have fun. I've played in winds strong enough that I had to play a driver off the tee, driver off the deck, and then a punched 8I to reach the green on a 400 yard par 4. It makes putting interesting too...

[chrt396]

I agree with the "Wind Sucks!" philosophy. I had the worst game in a year today!! I shot a 95...and that was with a "Mulligan" that I had to fight for with my brother-in-law. I was so bad that I couldn't even get mad. Now THAT is bad! I did birdie two holes and still sucked the rest of them!

[Ben]

We get some serious wind at my course too. Its very easy for things to go terribly wrong, extremely fast in those conditions. Golf is certainly no fun when that happens.

Being exposed to extreme wind, I've learned to trash my ego and play the wind, not fight it. If I'm into the wind and I have to take 3 maybe 4 extra clubs, I'm gonna take the right club. Swing easy, keep my head down, see what the wind does. I also relish the straight downwind 570y par 5 we have. I've hit 9 iron in from 180y a few times.

Use it, don't fight it. Then again, I don't pay for golf, nor would I if the wind were particularly bad. Anything over a 2 club wind with the occasional 3 clubber is just not right.

[lcfd42]

It's days like that when I'm glad I became a member at a local course; so if the wind blows or a rain comes in, the most I'm out for is gas to the course. (Oh and probably a couple of balls to the water hazard)

[kevin.chan]

  MiniMoe said:

It makes you use your imagination, try shots you have never tried before.

I have to agree with this.

Although the score might be bad , the feeling to execute the shot is satisfying.

[jdjanda]

I appreciate the opinions of those that enjoy the wind, maybe next time I'll roll with it. I've been working on striking the ball well and was really looking for a break out round. I spent so much time pissed at the wind and trying to keep my shots down low out of the wind that I did not enjoy the round. The round quickly turned to disappointment and my game went to hell. Shanks and thin shots were the order of the day. I did learn that I can roll my new 3W out 200 yards on a flat hard fairway.

[pgonza2723]

Being in Austin, you should definitely be used to the wind factor. Don't think I've ever played a round here and there was absolutely no wind (with the exception of when it's 100*+ outside :) ). I naturally have a high ballflight with all my irons so I've just learned to choke down on 1-2 clubs and make the 3/4 swing. Always seems to do the trick. If it is going to be a really windy day and I have no choice but to play, I usually try to avoid Star Ranch, Kizer, Plum Creek, and Blackhawk as they tend to use the wind as their main defense. Just remember, when it's all said and done, it is supposed to be fun and you should never get to the point to where you quit and walk off.

[James_Black]

I hate wind at my course.

The tees are set up so that on a windy day only around 3/18 are actually downwind.
The others are normally crosswinds or head on.

[sean_miller]

I use windy days as a learning experience - how far will the ball carry and roll with different shots and wind directions. I get a rush draining a long(ish) putt when I had to allow for the break and for the wind - seeing the wind cause it to dive off line and turn a miss into side door make is very cool. So what if the putt was for bogey.

Some day I'll be on a golf vacation in less than ideal weather, and I'm going to damned well enjoy it!!

[Bastid]

I'm not a big fan of heavy wind. It's fun to hit different types of shots once in awhile but it gets everything so out of sync. I don't like hitting 40 punch shots!

I am a big fan of a slight breeze though. Gives you something to work the ball with / against.

[jamo]

In the summer here in New England, we don't get very much wind, but in the fall it can get pretty breezy. I actually shot two really good rounds in the wind this fall- a 38 (par 36) in a steady 40 mph wind, then a 2-under 34 in 20 mph winds.

Well, just be lucky you can play golf at all. I like skiing (actually i more of a snowboarder) as much as the next guy, but sometimes the snow sucks. It does make for some fun driving, though.

[right handed phil mickelson]

I don't play bad in the wind. If it's 3 mph gusts or 30 mph gusts, I still shoot to my handicap. But, it doesn't mean I like the wind. I hate it to death.......If the wind was the christmas bomber then I'd be the guys in the seat in front of him who kicked the crap out of him. But, I digress...

[sean_miller]

  right handed phil mickelson said:

I don't play bad in the wind. If it's 3 mph gusts or 30 mph gusts, I still shoot to my handicap. But, it doesn't mean I like the wind. I hate it to death.......If the wind was the christmas bomber then I'd be the guys in the seat in front of him who kicked the crap out of him. But, I digress...

Flaming underpants that's an obscure metaphor.