Lesson learned: playing in the wind
I love watching PGA Tour in Hawaii. Even though technically the season started a few months ago, I only now realized it.
Be that as it may, another reason I love watching golfers play in Hawaii is that I can learn a lot from what I’ve seen – not just for my own game, but as a teacher helping others. For example, the style of play “light breeze” in Hawaii is not much different from Golf, which is played in Florida. One of the problems I’m constantly working on with my students is Golf in the wind. The way golfers deal with Hawaiian signature winds and still earn an incredible amount of points shows all of us that the wind shouldn’t spoil the game. Nary.
For a golfer, the wind is part of the game. But it doesn’t have to be a destructive element. Here are some tips on how to cope with the wind on the Golf course.
When the wind blows in Your face:
Full contact is important. Although your instinct will tell You that you need to hit harder than usual, in fact, you need to do the opposite. Focus more on pace and balance. Practice your stroke at about 75% of Your normal pace. Swing back and support the ball with a stick to reduce a little. When you’re ready to hit, shift the ball a little for a lower flight path. Take at least one extra stick (depending on the strength of the wind) to determine the required Mach length in a headwind.
Remember that the headwind increases the deflection of the ball, so the balls with the left or right rotation will move even more. However, this is not a reason to use only direct blows. Mark a line of flight of the ball, determine whether it will be a direct blow or deflection, and make a shorter Mach.
When the wind blows in the back:
The deflection of the ball will decrease, but you will have to take into account the extra distance and torsion of the ball. And although not all professionals will agree with me, for the vast majority of novice players with a fair wind is best suited clubs with increased lift – so in this wind two clubs pitching wedge can be safely replaced by one iron-5. Again, no need to hit harder than usual-the wind will take care of the extra meters. And, of course, take with you at least one additional stick to determine the desired distance and rotation.
Side wind:
Probably the most uncomfortable wind for a golfer. In this wind, I advise my students to use a direct strike whenever possible. Various teachers will say that it is better to work in the direction of the wind, some will say-against. But I understand that a lot of players may not have that choice. You have to move your center of gravity a little forward, thanks to this stick will come into contact with the ball before the ground. This will also help to maintain a good balance during the impact.
In all these cases, confidence in the chosen tactics plays a key role. I advise you to work on a shorter whiplash and see how the different positions of the ball affect the trajectory and movement. If you prepare For the game in any wind, you will be able to adapt to the conditions on the field faster and better than others in the group.
Remember, Golf is played outdoors, and such factors make the game not only harder, but also more interesting. Ideal conditions do not happen, so go out on the field and enjoy the game, regardless of the calm in the street or the wind blows!
