Course Management · Tip
Five Keys for Windy Days
Part of our course management programs for picking targets, wind and weather. Build a program with it
Wind tests your patience as much as your swing. Shorten your backswing and keep your follow-through smooth. Choose your club with the wind in mind. It changes distance and height. Favor safe targets. Skip the risky shots. When the wind helps, let it. And stay patient. The whole field is battling the same breeze.
Step by step
- Shorter backswing, smooth finish.
- Choose clubs for the wind.
- Play safe.
- Use a helping wind.
- Stay patient.
Why it works
Wind acts on the ball for the whole flight, and more spin and a higher launch make it act harder. A shorter backswing with a smooth finish gives you cleaner contact and less spin, so the ball holds its line better. Choosing a club for the wind and aiming at safe targets leaves room for the error the wind adds.
Common mistakes
- You swing harder into a headwind to make up the distance.Take a longer club and make your normal smooth swing, because extra speed adds spin and the ball climbs and balloons.
- You aim at the flag when a crosswind is pushing the ball toward trouble.Aim at the middle of the green or the wide side of the fairway and let the wind move the ball toward the target.
- You rush your routine and get tense as the wind picks up.Take the same breath and the same pre-shot routine every time, and accept that a few shots will finish off line.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball flies lower and holds its line instead of climbing and curving.
- You strike the middle of the face, and the divot starts at or just after the ball.
- You finish balanced and can hold your finish for a full second.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice on a day with only a light breeze and use one club to learn how a short backswing and smooth finish feel.
Harder: Play a few holes in a strong wind and name your target, club and safe miss before every shot.
Common questions
What club should I use when playing into the wind?
Take a longer club than normal and swing it smoothly. A longer club has less loft, so the ball flies lower and the wind affects it less.
How do I hit the ball straighter in a crosswind?
Aim to one side of the target so the wind brings the ball back, and make a smooth swing with a balanced finish. Do not try to steer the ball with your hands.
