Hitting into the wind

[Wedgie]

Let's say there is a constant 20 MPH wind one day. Downwind for example purposes you are a club longer. Into the same wind are you a club shorter? Seems to me I always come up short going into the wind but am spot on downwind clubbing up or down accordingly.

 

 

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[Jmikecpa]

Depends on the ball flight. I hit it high so 20 mph downwind would be a club and a half while into the wind would be two clubs. If I flight it down a bit I can generally get it to one club into a 20 mph wind. Also depends on what club you are hitting as well. Say I have 140 yards down wind I am hitting a 54* wedge. 140 into the wind would be a 9 iron if I am feeling confident but it more than likely would be an 8 iron. For reference it would be a stock PW with no wind. Not sure if this helps but more club into the wind is usually better than less club.

 

 

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[Wedgie]

Depends on the ball flight. I hit it high so 20 mph downwind would be a club and a half while into the wind would be two clubs. If I flight it down a bit I can generally get it to one club into a 20 mph wind. Also depends on what club you are hitting as well. Say I have 140 yards down wind I am hitting a 54* wedge. 140 into the wind would be a 9 iron if I am feeling confident but it more than likely would be an 8 iron. For reference it would be a stock PW with no wind. Not sure if this helps but more club into the wind is usually better than less club.

 

 

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That is a huge help. I always just assumed it would be the same into or with the wind. Thanks for the input.

 

 

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[DaveP043]

Drag is proportional to the square of the velocity.  What that means is that hitting into the wind, you lose more distance than you gain going downwind.  In addition, the effect of backspin will make your ball "balloon" more going into the wind, and the lift will be decreased going downwind, giving a flatter trajectory.  I don't believe its an exact science,   but I often think of one club downwind, but two clubs into the wind.  This can allow me to swing a little easier to decrease backspin and minimize the balloon effect.

[perseveringgolfer]

Hit easy into the wind and hard when it's behind you - Lee Trevino

[PlaidJacket]

I normally don't give too much thought to the wind. Although this isn't a windy time of year in Texas many days play between a 5-15 variable wind of some degree. Many times in the spring for example the winds can be quite strong and persistent. 15-20+. I've played all my life in Texas and the wind of whatever speed is just something I think I've learned to subconsciously factor in. I just club up or down on feel and usually it's pretty close. Additionally, I tend to play a lower ball flight which helps. Not sure if that's something I learned early on due to wind. Perhaps. But in windy conditions a low ball flight is very helpful. One of my favorite shots is hitting a knock-down into the wind from about 150-125 or less. It's a thing of beauty when executed correctly.

[Shankster]

I really hate quartering wind off my left, unless the flagstick is back right, then I really like it. But when we get wind here it's 20+ and miserably cold.

 

I can hit a nice draw to hold it up, but I like not being forced into a shot by the wind.

 

Quartering wind...

[Kenny B]

I play in the wind a lot; most long holes play into or downwind the prevailing wind direction.  Yes, into a 20mph wind takes more club, probably 2 clubs for me.  However, many times when I play downwind, I don't get a lot of extra distance, maybe more roll.  I'm sure that higher swing speeds gain more, but I usually play the same club or maybe half club less going downwind.  Less ball speed means the ball gets knocked down; not the extra carry distance I expect.  

[GB13]

20mph is about 15 added yards going downwind and 25 off going into the wind for me.

I try to flight it depending on the wind. If I am in between clubs, I will hit the longer one high or the shorter one lower.

I like playing in about 5mph of wind because it makes pay more attention to my club choices.

[BIG STU]

I normally don't give too much thought to the wind. Although this isn't a windy time of year in Texas many days play between a 5-15 variable wind of some degree. Many times in the spring for example the winds can be quite strong and persistent. 15-20+. I've played all my life in Texas and the wind of whatever speed is just something I think I've learned to subconsciously factor in. I just club up or down on feel and usually it's pretty close. Additionally, I tend to play a lower ball flight which helps. Not sure if that's something I learned early on due to wind. Perhaps. But in windy conditions a low ball flight is very helpful. One of my favorite shots is hitting a knock-down into the wind from about 150-125 or less. It's a thing of beauty when executed correctly.

All you Texas boys know how to play in the wind--- I had to really learn it when I moved to the coast of SC. 

[BIG STU]

Drag is proportional to the square of the velocity.  What that means is that hitting into the wind, you lose more distance than you gain going downwind.  In addition, the effect of backspin will make your ball "balloon" more going into the wind, and the lift will be decreased going downwind, giving a flatter trajectory.  I don't believe its an exact science,   but I often think of one club downwind, but two clubs into the wind.  This can allow me to swing a little easier to decrease backspin and minimize the balloon effect.

One of the reasons I still hit that stinger off the tee with a 2 or 3 iron hit her low get her turning over and let her rock and roll into the wind

[NiftyNiblick]

When it's really windy out on the course,

 

you can usually find a gin game or a poker game in the clubhouse instead.

 

While playing, you don't even have to look for the beverage cart.

 

The waitress comes to. you

[pulledabill]

I play twilight mostly so windy most nights. 20 mph uo is 2 clubs, 1 down. I dont even put much thought on up or down as I do wirh the crosswinds. Where do I want the ball to start.

[HardcoreLooper]

...but I often think of one club downwind, but two clubs into the wind.  This can allow me to swing a little easier to decrease backspin and minimize the balloon effect.

This. Especially with short irons. A hard swing with a short iron is a spin machine. You're asking for a balloon ball. If you can learn how to make a half swing with your short irons to take about 20-30 yards off of them, you'll be formidable in wind. The Corey Pavin quail-high short iron is a real crowd-pleaser.

[Gyro25]

I too end up short going into the wind, so just mentally have to remind myself to go 2 clubs. If it's a 1.5 club situation then 2 clubs down but just 10% off it

 

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[revkev]

It's very simple - the wind will effect you twice as much into as with - if you are one club help it's a two club hurt.

 

Follow that rule until you start hitting it past hole high and you'll be fine.

 

20 mph would be at least that BTW.

 

Good luck

 

 

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[Charli]

Going into the wind i usually pick the correct club but never aggressive enough with the swing. For some reason usually hit it badly and not even sure why. The wind in my face messes me up

Mentally.

[RickyBobby_PR]

Something Andrew rice talked about on instagram last year iirc. Into the wind if you think/know it's 10mph into you then add 15% to the distance and then pull that club for that distance. Using 20mph would then add 30%.

 

Martin Hall talked about the helping wind not being anywhere near the help that the wind into you hurts.

[PING Apologist #9]

One of the best shots I ever made was directly into a roaring and steady 20+ MPH wind. Par 3 #11 at Desert Canyon. It plays only at 152-yds and is handicapped at 17. The biggie here is that you hit from elevated tee boxes over a brush-filled ravine and that can be (is) intimidating as H***!

 

Anyhow, I'd usually play a 7 or maybe even a 6 iron shot from here, but with that wind I decided to use 3W. On windless days I can get hold of that 3W and hammer it down to 220 or so, so this was a LOT of club. I teed it up as low as it could go but not be "fully" on the ground and just laced it with a smooth, controlled swing (for once). Ball flight was super straight and low. The ball landed 2-3 yards from the green and rolled right up to within 3' of the hole.

 

That shot proved to me that I could conquer the wind when it was in my face and I have confidence that I can do it again...er mostly...

[NiftyNiblick]

I never made an into-the-wind shot like that in my life, #9. 

 

I'd use my longest iron for every distance and try to guess how hard to hit it--worst technique in the history of dimple ball.  The next time that it works for me will be the first, and I'm on the sideline now..

 

As I alluded to earlier in the thread, I'd usually find something else to do in those conditions.

Especially after I was retired. 

 

But one time at Crystal Lake, the crew insisted on playing threw a monsoon. It was not only ludicrously windy but wet as well.   I carded a bowling score and then started shopping for new friends.

[null]

I love fighting the ball down into the wind. Probably a strength of mine as far as I non-conventional shots go

[golfinnut]

Hit easy into the wind and hard when it's behind you - Lee Trevino

 

 

This was always a belief of mine as well.  

 

Swinging easy into the wind, creates less backspin & thus less ballooning.  While swinging harder creates the opposite effect creating more height to ride the wind.  

 

Good stuff!