playing in the wind

[prestiege]

not a fun day at all

today was my first time out with massive wind gusts. was playing near the lake in chicago and this was the most windiest day ive ever played. my PW is usually my 140 club. with wind at my back PW was going 170, into the wind PW was going 100

i didnt know what club to choose all day long and it made for a very frustrating day. i barely broke 100. not that im any good anyway, im shooting high 80's low 90's

a perticular 145 yard par 3, the back of the green is 30 yards from a main street. i hit 7 iron and came up short of the green. this hole played with my head massively, if the wind stopped during my swing i would be in the street and possibly caused an accident. thats the only thing i could thing about.

i guess i need to pick a very windy day and go the range. i never new wind would make a 40 yard difference in club choice.

even a RIP 70 didnt help off the tee. ive been having great low flight bombs in a ZL 10.5 combo and even the lower flight of this combo didnt help today, normally 265-280 offthe tee, today i struggled to hit 240 off the tee. almost hit a 330 yard par 4, 20 yards short with wind at my back but man was it a frustrating day.

[jbrunone]

takes practice, smart playing, and creativity....


id reconmend like you said practice on a day like that. My home course for school is like that and its something you got to get used to.

[RRFireblade]

Its a funny game in the wind for sure. There is no 'answer' to it but the more you play in it the less questions.

In a nut shell , adjust by a club more or less than you think you should.

Swing EASIER , contrary to what alot of people actually. You want to keep the spin down.

Use short smooth compact swings with generally a low finish and try to keep your trajectory as low as possible. Bump and run is your friend whenever possible.

And lastly , hope and pry for a better day next time.

[Colorado Mobile]

I dont wanna play in the wind all the time but give me a day just to hit shots and it can be fun to see what you can do in the wind. Hit huge cut or hook with driver, big flop shot into the wind to stand it up... Last competitive round I played in the wind 435 par four hitting it with the wind I drove it on the green blind shot over trees, turn the corner and there was a group on the green the applauded the shot it was all good...

Bottom line have fun its only golf

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Take more club, less swing and learn to hit a draw. It can be a lot of fun if you don't take it too seriously, a head wind will magnify your mistakes and is a challenge.

[jbrunone]

dont over draw the ball or it will never stop drawing. You play a ten yard draw and it ends up thirty yards left

[golfsavvy]

Welcome to Chicago! The windy city.

Playing in heavy wind is simply 'survival'. Wind is not a steady force, so it makes everything more severe -- unless you keep it low. One of the best things anybody ever told me was to use the club that will get me the right trajectory based on the wind, and work on hitting a firm swing that goes just past shoulder high.

When it's that windy conventional shots don't work on many holes. Hitting a 5-iron 110 yards into the wind can be a great play -- shorter swing should keep it from ballooning in the wind. Choke-down 3- or 5-wood, or hybrids can be very effective as well.

Also, hitting it pin-high is often not the shot to play. Sometimes just laying it up in front of the green and chip/putt is effective.

Bottom line, ya can't just grip it and rip it on those days.

[Tupperwolf]

I enjoy practicing in the wind, there is really nothing better than standing 100 yards out and hitting a hard punch 8 iron and having it land right on target - makes me feel like a player when I choose the right shot for the conditions.... and if you choose the wrong shot, drop another ball and try again. All part of learning. Playing a real round of golf in strong wind to post a score isn't much fun, though.

"Nae wind, nae rain, nae goff!"

[minhjn]

You gotta learn to flight your approach shots

[TGutHHSGolfer]

This whole high school season has had nothing but windy and cold days. Played in a tournament last friday with 40+mph gusts all day. Got third with a 78.. hahaha. It's all about manning up and hitting the amount of club you need to get there, I dont care if I hit driver on a 210 hole when the wind is making it play 240+. I made two pars and the people who didnt get there made bogey or more. Keep it low and take the amount of club you need

[dlygrisse]

When it's breezy ....swing easy.....


I live in Kansas, and if I never played in the wind I would never play golf...They began playing the game in Scotland, the wind blows there all the time, if you don't like wind play in a simulator and turn the wind off.

Seriously playing in the elements is what makes it fun, you have to hit different shots, use different clubs, it's called playing the game, not just hitting shots on the range. Best tip for hitting into the wind is choke down a little, make a smooth swing and take plenty of club. The harder you swing into the wind the more the ball will spin and balloon. There is no shame in hitting a 9 iron 100 yards one hole and 170 the next, in fact I find that when I play well on these kind of days I find more satisfaction in it.

Also set realistic expectations, you are not going to shoot your career score when the wind is gusting, accept the fact some holes will be difficult, your playing partners will face the same conditions, if you keep your composure and accept what is going on you will have an advantage, you are going to miss some greens, a good short game will still allow you to score decently, EMBRACE it, don't fight it. Have fun and remember it's only a game. A game played in the elements and the greatest game ever invented.

[golfsavvy]

[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1303617912' post='3180711']<br />When it's breezy ....swing easy.....<br /><br /><br />I live in Kansas, and if I never played in the wind I would never play golf...They began playing the game in Scotland, the wind blows there all the time, if you don't like wind play in a simulator and turn the wind off.  <img src='http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br /><br />Seriously playing in the elements is what makes it fun, you have to hit different shots, use different clubs, it's called playing the game, not just hitting shots on the range.  Best tip for hitting into the wind is choke down a little, make a smooth swing and take plenty of club.  The harder you swing into the wind the more the ball will spin and balloon.  There is no shame in hitting a 9 iron 100 yards one hole and 170 the next, in fact I find that when I play well on these kind of days I find more satisfaction in it.  <br /><br />Also set realistic expectations, you are not going to shoot your career score when the wind is gusting, accept the fact some holes will be difficult, your playing partners will face the same conditions, if you keep your composure and accept what is going on you will have an advantage, you are going to miss some greens, a good short game will still allow you to score decently, EMBRACE it, don't fight it.  Have fun and remember it's only a game.  A game played in the elements and the greatest game ever invented.<br />[/quote]<br /><br /><br />]

+1

[prestiege]

[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1303617912' post='3180711']
When it's breezy ....swing easy.....


I live in Kansas, and if I never played in the wind I would never play golf...They began playing the game in Scotland, the wind blows there all the time, if you don't like wind play in a simulator and turn the wind off.

Seriously playing in the elements is what makes it fun, you have to hit different shots, use different clubs, it's called playing the game, not just hitting shots on the range. Best tip for hitting into the wind is choke down a little, make a smooth swing and take plenty of club. The harder you swing into the wind the more the ball will spin and balloon. There is no shame in hitting a 9 iron 100 yards one hole and 170 the next, in fact I find that when I play well on these kind of days I find more satisfaction in it.

Also set realistic expectations, you are not going to shoot your career score when the wind is gusting, accept the fact some holes will be difficult, your playing partners will face the same conditions, if you keep your composure and accept what is going on you will have an advantage, you are going to miss some greens, a good short game will still allow you to score decently, EMBRACE it, don't fight it. Have fun and remember it's only a game. A game played in the elements and the greatest game ever invented.
[/quote]


it was still a fun day. its jut i never played in this much wind before so i had no clue what so ever of what club to hit. its funny, there was a short par 4, 285 with the wind in our our face. my buddy takes driver and says he's hitting the green. i tell him the water is 220, 265 to carry. i hit a 26 hybrid which is usually a 220 club. it flew 170. my buddy slices the crap out of the driver and blames me saying i made him swing to hard for giving him the yardage.

[dlygrisse]

I like it, a little gamesmanship.......get in their head and take their $$$$$
Earlier this year I was hitting the ball like dog crap, I am playing with my usual buddies for some cash and when we hit the back 9 the wind was howling, 40 mph gusts. I just kept the ball in play, got up and down several times, made some putts and shot 38. They guys I was playing with were stunned when we added up the scores, I mean I probably hit two or 3 GIR, but never missed in a bad place, hit a lot of fringes or just off the green with plenty of green to work with, no lost balls....add them up and take their money LOL.


[quote name='prestiege' timestamp='1303644542' post='3180997']
[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1303617912' post='3180711']
When it's breezy ....swing easy.....


I live in Kansas, and if I never played in the wind I would never play golf...They began playing the game in Scotland, the wind blows there all the time, if you don't like wind play in a simulator and turn the wind off.

Seriously playing in the elements is what makes it fun, you have to hit different shots, use different clubs, it's called playing the game, not just hitting shots on the range. Best tip for hitting into the wind is choke down a little, make a smooth swing and take plenty of club. The harder you swing into the wind the more the ball will spin and balloon. There is no shame in hitting a 9 iron 100 yards one hole and 170 the next, in fact I find that when I play well on these kind of days I find more satisfaction in it.

Also set realistic expectations, you are not going to shoot your career score when the wind is gusting, accept the fact some holes will be difficult, your playing partners will face the same conditions, if you keep your composure and accept what is going on you will have an advantage, you are going to miss some greens, a good short game will still allow you to score decently, EMBRACE it, don't fight it. Have fun and remember it's only a game. A game played in the elements and the greatest game ever invented.
[/quote]


it was still a fun day. its jut i never played in this much wind before so i had no clue what so ever of what club to hit. its funny, there was a short par 4, 285 with the wind in our our face. my buddy takes driver and says he's hitting the green. i tell him the water is 220, 265 to carry. i hit a 26 hybrid which is usually a 220 club. it flew 170. my buddy slices the crap out of the driver and blames me saying i made him swing to hard for giving him the yardage.
[/quote]

[puttingmatt]

I love playing in the wind !!! I think it gives me an
advantage !! As stated, It is about ball flight !!!

[MightyMark]

I don't enjoy playing on windy days.
I have worked hard om my swing and precise ball striking. There is no pleasure, in a perfectly struck approach shot, finding you needed 3 clubs more and not the 2 more you allowed for.
Club selection in swirling and gusty wind, is a nightmare to me! Here in south Fl., especially this time of year, it is expected. It is rewarding when you guess correctly, however, I prefer not relying on calculated guesses.

[dlygrisse]

[quote name='MightyMark' timestamp='1303654658' post='3181215']
I don't enjoy playing on windy days.
I have worked hard om my swing and precise ball striking. There is no pleasure, in a perfectly struck approach shot, finding you needed 3 clubs more and not the 2 more you allowed for.
Club selection in swirling and gusty wind, is a nightmare to me! Here in south Fl., especially this time of year, it is expected. It is rewarding when you guess correctly, however, I prefer not relying on calculated guesses.
[/quote]

To me this is a very odd way to look at the game. If you are a precise ball striker then you should relish the challenge of working the ball and using the wind to your advantage, shaping shots, knocking it down, holding it into the wind, working it with the wind etc. If you want to stand there and hit perfect 160 yard 7 irons all day you should play golf indoors in a simulator.

There is tons of pleasure in knowing that you need 3 more clubs instead of two, or getting up and down from a tough spot because the wind gusted, sounds to me like you need to add a little more feel to your game and play a little less by the numbers. Not everyone is Bubba Watson or Seve, but too many people try to be too perfect.

I heard Tom Watson say that the first time he played golf in Great Britain he hated it, once he learned to accept the challenge for what it was he became maybe the greatest links player in the history of the game, and a tremendous foul weather player, he knew when the wind was howling he had an advantage. Precise yardages are highly overrated IMO.

Instead of saying I have 163 to the hole, it is this club, think "I got around 160-65, breeze into me from the left, I am gonna choke down on a little 5 iron and bump it in there to the middle of the green. Automatic par and outside shot at birdie. Meanwhile your buddies are struggling to make bogey.

[signats]

Wind, rain, mud, hills....everyone an ego smasher. I love them all, plus they keep the crowds away; awesome.

Crapy conditions makes me think of the Marv Levey quote:"When it's too tough for them, it's just right for us.".

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='prestiege' timestamp='1303613126' post='3180506']
today was my first time out with massive wind gusts. was playing near the lake in chicago and this was the most windiest day ive ever played. my PW is usually my 140 club. with wind at my back PW was going 170, into the wind PW was going 100

i didnt know what club to choose all day long and it made for a very frustrating day. i barely broke 100. not that im any good anyway, im shooting high 80's low 90's

a perticular 145 yard par 3, the back of the green is 30 yards from a main street. i hit 7 iron and came up short of the green. this hole played with my head massively, if the wind stopped during my swing i would be in the street and possibly caused an accident. thats the only thing i could thing about.

i guess i need to pick a very windy day and go the range. i never new wind would make a 40 yard difference in club choice.

even a RIP 70 didnt help off the tee. ive been having great low flight bombs in a ZL 10.5 combo and even the lower flight of this combo didnt help today, normally 265-280 offthe tee, today i struggled to hit 240 off the tee. almost hit a 330 yard par 4, 20 yards short with wind at my back but man was it a frustrating day.
[/quote]

Pres, where did you play yesterday? We were out at incredibly soggy Golf Club of IL in Algonquin. The morning wasn't bad but as the day progressed, the winds increased to 40 MPH. The 11th hole there is a 678 yard par 5. We played it from "only" 612 but due to the wetness, there was zero roll. I hit my best drive, 4 wood and 3 hybrid of the day and still had a 75 yard punch shot into the green. But then on 17 which was playing just under 170 downwind, I hit a 9 iron pin high.

I like playing in these different kind of conditions. It forces you to be creative and learn how to hit a variety of shots. Playing directly into the wind or down wind is a lot easier than the cross winds. Some of our shots were moving 25 yards easily. Fortunately, we don't get this kind of wind too often...just enjoy it and have fun with it!

[FlushContact]

It's been blowing 25+ almost every day here in Texas. I'm just happy when it's around the 15mph area...

But yeah, sometimes you have to swollow your ego and hit that 7 iron 130. Then the very next hole you hit it a buck 90...

[prestiege]

we went to jackson park, 63rd and lakeshore drive, right off the lake and not many buildings to block the wind from lake. its just a park district course but it was only 12.00 walking. out of all the courses ive played, this one seems to always be dry after a lot of rain which is another reason we chose to go there. the first 3 holes were soggy but after that we had no issues at all. the course isnt in the greatest shape but i have an extremely cheap buddy who wont shell out more than 40.00 for a round unitll he breaks 85.

driving was the best part of day for me, since ive stuck a 70X RIP in my driver the ball is staying nice and low and i havent lost any distance. i havent gained any either though. usually after rain days i play a motore F1 75, the thing is a beast but its all carry than just drops out of the sky, with the RIP i get that lower flight and extra roll but they are going the same distance. in that aspect i know to carry both shafts with me and choose the best one for the day.

i had 125 to a green over water, 100 to carry the water, 9 iron is my 150 club, that sucker landed in the water 5 feet from the edge

[Jack Pearsall]

I dont know how dudes can play these high launch clubs and reg shafts in the winds at my course. I have to play stiff shafts and blades just to keep the ball down. even then, it is an effort to keep the ball down. every time I hit those rocket launcher type clubs, the ball just balloons up and you lose control.

but yeah, wind golf is yet another game within the game...

I will try the tips provided here later this week. thanks.