Playing Tournaments In the Wind

[b.mattay]

Does anyone have suggestions on shotmaking/strategy/course management in tournament scenarios when the winds get incredibly high (30 mph+). This is a scenario that has constantly frustrated me. When conditions get like this, I seem to consistently shoot around 80, whereas there will always be a couple guys who will be able to get around the course in 70-75. I seem to lose my head a little bit in said conditions and my swing always feels "off" by about hole 6 from trying to fight off the wind all day. Any suggestions?

[gvogel]

The 3/4 and 7/8th swing is your friend. Take more club, and cut down on your backswing length. You will stay in better balance, and flight the ball lower.

 

Even with the driver.

 

Hopefully you have a good putting round!

[pearsonified]

Use a TP5x in the wind.

 

Now, normally, I'd say a recommendation like this is daft. But I've played in 3 tournaments this year where winds were in the 18+mph range, and the TP5x's impressive performance was notable by everyone in my group.

 

The ball just seems to shrug off the wind completely. Off the tee, it just wants to hold its line and almost seems to resist side spins.

[b.mattay]

The 3/4 and 7/8th swing is your friend. Take more club, and cut down on your backswing length. You will stay in better balance, and flight the ball lower.

 

Even with the driver.

 

Hopefully you have a good putting round!

 

I do this already, I just suck at it unless it is a wedge/short iron. I tend to hit spinny balloons in the wind with a partial swing, especially with driver.

[dg_1983]

Get better at the 3/4 shots. That is the only way to play in the wind.

 

Something is causing you technical issues if you cant nail that 3/4 shot

 

Sorry to be harsh but it is the only way you are going to break 80 in 30mph+ winds

[b.mattay]

Get better at the 3/4 shots. That is the only way to play in the wind.

 

Something is causing you technical issues if you cant nail that 3/4 shot

 

Sorry to be harsh but it is the only way you are going to break 80 in 30mph+ winds

 

I definitely need to work on that shot. Weirdly, I get better results by smashing the ball high and hard in the wind, but it feels like playing with fire. So I revert back to the 3/4 swings and watch my ball get yanked around my the wind. Logic says that a lower flighted shot should work better, but there must be something in my low ball mechanics that is funky. The ball either balloons or looks like a clay pigeon getting shot down by a shotgun.

[bogeypro]

google the 9 to 3 drill and master it. that will help your wind play...and probably your full swing as well.

[b.mattay]

google the 9 to 3 drill and master it. that will help your wind play...and probably your full swing as well.

 

I am actually quite good at that shot...only when there is no/minimal wind :taunt: .

[trapdraw21]

Flight everything and use TPX ;)

[High Plains Driver]

Here in West Texas 30 mph winds are not out of the ordinary.

 

If I am playing with something on the line, I want the conditions to be as bad as possible. Cold, rain, and wind take many people out of their comfort zone and they will try to fight the conditions instead of accepting the challenge.

 

In higher winds, the 1/2 to 3/4 punch shot is your go to tool. Clubbing up and swinging smoother will help you hit solid shots which fare better in the wind.

Into the wind, figure out how many extra clubs to take, then add one. I see people all the time saying, "This is a solid 2 club wind" then jumping on the club and spinning it up into the wind. Feeling like you have too much club will help fight the urge to 'get it there.'

[md1m]

Use a TP5x in the wind.

 

Now, normally, I'd say a recommendation like this is daft. But I've played in 3 tournaments this year where winds were in the 18+mph range, and the TP5x's impressive performance was notable by everyone in my group.

 

The ball just seems to shrug off the wind completely. Off the tee, it just wants to hold its line and almost seems to resist side spins.

 

"It's not the saaaaame"

[vman]

From a technical point you need to be able to control trajectory. You then have to play non tournament rounds in strong winds to test yourself. Doing and experience gives you the feedback which leads to improvement. There are no shortcuts.

[robbohank]

In higher winds, the 1/2 to 3/4 punch shot is your go to tool. Clubbing up and swinging smoother will help you hit solid shots which fare better in the wind.

Into the wind, figure out how many extra clubs to take, then add one. I see people all the time saying, "This is a solid 2 club wind" then jumping on the club and spinning it up into the wind. Feeling like you have too much club will help fight the urge to 'get it there.'

 

This^^

 

I think trying to flight the ball down is a bit tricky. Players start moving the ball back in the stance and/or try and make swing adjustments that they aren't used to or comfortable with. Just let the loft of the club dictate the trajectory and as RtoL suggested...... take PLENTY of club and swing smoothly. I like the idea of "adding one" to what you think you need. Put some practice time in hitting into a really strong wind and get comfortable with both taking more than enough club and NOT succumbing to the impulse to swing hard with that wind blowing at you.

[Reb58]

Played a couple this season where winds were consistently 25+ the whole day with 35 gusts. I played well in both finishing 3rd and 4th.

 

Keep it low, on drives especially. This can make a huge difference. I'm a low ball driver most times anyway so this really helped vs normally high ball hitters. It doesnt take much side spin on a towering drive in this wind to float it OB.

 

Club up or down one club for each ten mph of wind with irons. Crosswind shots I adjust club (1) and play a knockdown shot.

 

It will affect putts so take that into consideration.

 

All seem obvious I know but it was remarkable to see guys playing "normal" shots and complaining all day about the results.

[Ri_Redneck]

OP, do you ever go out for practice rounds when the wind is high? If not, that is your problem. How can you expect to become proficient dealing with the high winds when you don't ever play in high winds?

 

Also, the courses are usually much less crowded on those days. I like windy and rainy days cause I don't have to deal with a crowded course.

 

BT

[b.mattay]

OP, do you ever go out for practice rounds when the wind is high? If not, that is your problem. How can you expect to become proficient dealing with the high winds when you don't ever play in high winds?

 

Also, the courses are usually much less crowded on those days. I like windy and rainy days cause I don't have to deal with a crowded course.

 

BT

 

I do play in high winds in casual/practice rounds. I also generally don't play well in those either. :stink:

[b.mattay]

Played a couple this season where winds were consistently 25+ the whole day with 35 gusts. I played well in both finishing 3rd and 4th.

 

Keep it low, on drives especially. This can make a huge difference. I'm a low ball driver most times anyway so this really helped vs normally high ball hitters. It doesnt take much side spin on a towering drive in this wind to float it OB.

 

Club up or down one club for each ten mph of wind with irons. Crosswind shots I adjust club (1) and play a knockdown shot.

 

It will affect putts so take that into consideration.

 

All seem obvious I know but it was remarkable to see guys playing "normal" shots and complaining all day about the results.

 

My "normal" shots actually pierce the wind way better but it is scary hitting high shots with the wind gusting everywhere.

[Ri_Redneck]

I play and practice in high winds. Best way to work on hitting the ball squarely is 15-20 mile headwind at the range.

 

BT

[carrera]

Was fairly windy at the PGA Tour tournament today in Napa. Johnny Miller recommended a low "trap draw" in conditions like that. He said that it performed better than a low fade. YMMV.

 

You might watch a replay of the final round on the Golf Channel to see how the pros handled it.