Course Management · Lesson
A Plan for Wind and Rain
Part of our course management programs for picking targets, wind and weather. Build a program with it
Bad weather is as much a mental test as a physical one. Before the round, accept it'll be uncomfortable. Accept it. In between shots, breathe deeply a few times and drop your shoulders. Stay on one shot at a time. Change your ball flight. Tee it lower. Grip down an inch. Take one more club and swing at about 80 percent. Aim at the middle of greens. Then commit. Doubt makes you slow down. Once you pick a club, stick with it.
Step by step
- Accept the conditions.
- Breathe and relax between shots.
- Tee lower and grip down.
- One more club at 80 percent.
- Aim center-green and commit.
Why it works
Wind and rain punish big swings and high ball flights. Teeing lower, gripping down and swinging at about 80 percent shortens the swing and improves contact, which gives a lower, more controlled flight that the wind moves less. Taking one more club makes up the distance you give up, and aiming at the middle of the green leaves room for a small miss. Accepting the conditions and breathing between shots keeps tension out of your grip and shoulders, so your tempo stays steady.
Common mistakes
- You keep the same club and swing harder to make up for the wind or wet conditions.Take one more club and swing at about 80 percent so the extra length comes from the club, not from force.
- You aim at a flag near an edge and try to hold the ball against the wind.Aim at the middle of the green and accept a longer putt over a ball in trouble.
- You change clubs at the last moment or stand over the ball while unsure.Pick the club and target during your routine, then stick with it and swing without stopping to reconsider.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball flies lower and holds its line better in the wind than your normal shot.
- You strike the ball cleanly from the center of the face, even with a wet grip and wet turf.
- You feel your shoulders drop and your grip pressure stay light as you start each swing.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice the lower tee, the grip-down and the 80 percent swing on a calm day with a few shots from the range before you face bad weather.
Harder: Rehearse the whole plan on a windy day and hold to your club choice and center-green target on every shot for a full round.
Common questions
Why take more club in the wind?
A smooth 80 percent swing with a longer club gives a lower flight and better contact, so you lose less distance and less accuracy than you would swinging hard with a shorter club.
How do I grip a wet club in the rain?
Keep a towel dry under your umbrella or in your bag and wipe the grip before each shot. Hold the club with light, even pressure instead of squeezing, since a tight grip adds tension to the swing.
