How the wind helps and hurt your shots

[Mr_Theoo]

 

Very interesting video from trackman. Definitely something good for me cause I'm guilty of trying to muscle that 7 iron into the wind

[hckymeyer]

That is very interesting.  I use 7-10 mph per each extra or less club as a rule of thumb, but now I'll be thinking it's going to be different based on with or against the wind.  Might be 3 clubs into the wind and 1 club with the wind if it's blowing 15-20.

 

Thanks Theoo, this could actually save a couple strokes a round when it's windy.

[Kenny B]

I just guess the headwind based on experience and feel.  I really have no idea how hard it's blowing speed wise.  I don't have a problem with hitting it too high anyway, so just pick an extra club or two.  Downwind I have never found that I needed more than one less club.  I used to take two less clubs, but usually came up short.  I play in the wind a lot and at my lower ss, the downwind seems to just knock it out of the air.

[Mr_Theoo]

That is very interesting.  I use 7-10 mph per each extra or less club as a rule of thumb, but now I'll be thinking it's going to be different based on with or against the wind.  Might be 3 clubs into the wind and 1 club with the wind if it's blowing 15-20.

 

Thanks Theoo, this could actually save a couple strokes a round when it's windy.

 

You're welcome, I'm definitely trying to learn and practice different ways to hit approach shots other than i have 160 carry so thats an 8 iron that i have to pure and hope it sticks on the green.

[wbealsd]

You're welcome, I'm definitely trying to learn and practice different ways to hit approach shots other than i have 160 carry so thats an 8 iron that i have to pure and hope it sticks on the green.

In that situation, with no wind, I'd be about 30 yards short

[Mr_Theoo]

In that situation, with no wind, I'd be about 30 yards short

Lol you get my point though

[Kenny B]

In that situation, with no wind, I'd be about 30 yards short

 

Right there with you!

[Undershooter]

Dear Lord this explains a lot lol. Great post Theo!

[hckymeyer]

Timely tweet from Global Golf tonight about tips for playing in the wind.  Ties in nicely with Theo's video.

 

http://blog.globalgolf.com/2015/01/how-to-master-playing-in-the-wind-in-just-a-few-minutes/

[jbil8802]

So this is why I suck when it's windy. I now have something concrete to blame it on. Thanks Theo, this should be useful for the upcoming season.

[revkev]

I appreciate the video because it reinforces a lesson that I learned many, many moons ago and I want to say that I learned it from Golf Magazine -they made the point that their testing proved that driving into the wind took much more off the ball than down wind added.

 

There has to be a pretty strong wind or very firm conditions for me to hit less club down wind - My normal practice downwind would be to go with the lesser club if in between or grip down a bit to hit the ball lower with my stock club and not worry about it - lower shot - out of the wind - normal yardage.

 

Into the wind my normal strategy is to take more club and swing easier - again I'm looking for lower launch although the wind may drive the ball flight up.  I don't go by MPH - I go by experience in windy conditions - this type of wind is 2 clubs, etc.

 

With driver I do nothing different into the wind - I hit a little draw and it cuts through the wind very nicely - down wind I will tee it a little higher and swing a bit harder if it's a short par 5 or long par 4 in hopes of taking advantage of the wind.  I know that lots of advice will say don't swing harder but I have pretty good control over my driver swing and if you swing harder you will tend to hit the ball higher (that's what you want downwind.)

[Kenny B]

I appreciate the video because it reinforces a lesson that I learned many, many moons ago and I want to say that I learned it from Golf Magazine -they made the point that their testing proved that driving into the wind took much more off the ball than down wind added.

 

There has to be a pretty strong wind or very firm conditions for me to hit less club down wind - My normal practice downwind would be to go with the lesser club if in between or grip down a bit to hit the ball lower with my stock club and not worry about it - lower shot - out of the wind - normal yardage.

 

Into the wind my normal strategy is to take more club and swing easier - again I'm looking for lower launch although the wind may drive the ball flight up.  I don't go by MPH - I go by experience in windy conditions - this type of wind is 2 clubs, etc.

 

With driver I do nothing different into the wind - I hit a little draw and it cuts through the wind very nicely - down wind I will tee it a little higher and swing a bit harder if it's a short par 5 or long par 4 in hopes of taking advantage of the wind.  I know that lots of advice will say don't swing harder but I have pretty good control over my driver swing and if you swing harder you will tend to hit the ball higher (that's what you want downwind.)

 

Very much the same strategy I use; may go one club less downwind if it is a two-club wind.  

 

What amazes me is that my wife can hit a drive into the wind the same distance and sometimes farther than when there is no wind. She makes no swing adjustments.   Maybe "a well struck ball is not affected by the wind."

[revkev]

Back to our ball striking thread Tom Watson made very few adjustments for the wind when he played in the Open - his argument was that a well struck ball is always the best ball in any condition.

[markb]

A very good piece that perfectly explains the old pro's adage about playing in strong wind.   "Add two clubs and swing easy into the wind, subtract one and hit hard with the wind."