What is your formula for playing in wind?

[Lihu]

On 8/23/2017 at 8:18 AM, Grinde6 said:

I have searched a few times trying to find something that mentions this, but to no avail. 

What do you guys use as a "formula" for playing in wind...headwind, tailwind, crosswind.  What do you use to pick a yardage and a club with confidence?  Just looking for some different ideas and just to see what works for other people.  If this has already been discussed, please direct me to that forum.

Thanks everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=28&v=uYkgt_bOfSc

Article is here.

Edited August 25, 2017 by Lihu

[DeadMan]

My best formula is to stay home. It's rarely windy in Colorado, so I rarely have to deal with it. I'm also pretty bad at adjusting to it because of that.

If I have to play in wind, I'm mostly just going to change club selections and aim than trying to hit the lower ball or try to shape it with/against the wind. The wind will affect shots into it more than shots with it. Also, the wind will make the ball spin more. This means solid contact is a must. Fades or draws will quickly become hooks or slices, so you have to minimize the amount of fade or draw you put on the ball.

I've also been told that the wind affects putts more than any other shots. I don't know if I believe that, though.

[Pretzel]

I take one club up, or two if the wind feels strong enough, and swing smooth to hit my shots lower and with less spin. If it's a crosswind I don't try to play the game of "let's try to hold the ball up against the wind" by hitting a draw or fade against the wind, but I just play my normal shot and change my point of aim to compensate for where the wind will take it.

[Midpack]

6 hours ago, Lihu said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=28&v=uYkgt_bOfSc

Article is here.

+1. That's very helpful!

[Buckeyebowman]

 

On 8/24/2017 at 7:47 PM, DaveP043 said:

Lots of good advice for choosing clubs and alignments.  I also think "patience".  Especially in gusting winds, you're going to estimate (or guess) wrong, and hit good shots with bad results. Its not your fault!   You have to deal with this and move on to the next shot, without letting it get inside your head too much.  

I like this! The wind will do what it will, and you have no control over that!

As far as your question goes, I have no formula. It's all based on feel. I do have a couple of things I look at. If I pick up some grass, or a dead leaf to check the wind, I'll look at if it dives immediately toward the ground, or if it seems to "float" a bit before dropping. The wind can be blowing down toward the ground as well as in a certain direction, especially if a high pressure system is in control. This is a meteorological phenomenon known as "subsidence", and generally means fair weather. But when you see the undersides of the leaves showing because of the wind, that means rising air. This can really be helpful when it's toward the target, and cause balls to really balloon when you hit into it.

Plus, there's humidity and altitude to consider, Thinner, dryer air vs thicker, wetter air. There's just no end to it, and all you can do is the best you can. Heck, even the pros get fooled!