Golfing in the Wind: 5 Adjustments to Make

I’ve been playing golf almost my entire life. When it rains, it really doesn’t bother me. In fact, it’s kind of nice when the course empties out and all I need to do is put on a pair of rain gloves. Wind is a different story. Golfing in the wind brings a unique set of challenges. As frustrating as I find golfing in the wind to be, there are some strategies that work to help make the round a bit more enjoyable.

Wider stance for putting stability

I bet you didn’t think we would start out with a tip about putting. When playing golf in the wind, putting is one of the most difficult aspects of the game.

It’s very hard to stay focused, balanced and consistent when a gusty wind is rocking your golf ball.

One of the first things you’ll start to do is move your body more than it should.

Stop this by taking a slightly wider stance and creating a more stable base. You may even turn your toes in a little towards each other. This locks in your hips and helps you feel centered over the ball.

Control your ball flight: Hitting it higher or lower

Can you control the trajectory of your golf shots? It’s a great benefit to be able to hit lower shots when necessary or higher shots to take advantage of a tailwind.

To hit the ball lower, move the ball slightly back in your stance and shorten the swing.

To hit the ball higher, move the ball slightly forward and use a club with more loft. When hitting higher to try and take advantage of the wind behind you, you may lose some control.

For a long drive into a wide open fairway it’s a smart play. On a shorter approach shot to a green, you may want to keep the ball lower and control it instead of letting the wind take over.

Club selection: Take more club, don’t swing harder

One of the biggest mistakes amateur golfers make is swinging too hard. Instead of taking an extra club and playing smart, they swing as hard as possible to muscle the ball through the wind.

Don’t.

Swing smoothly, take an extra club when necessary and remain more balanced throughout the shot. When you club up, keep your tempo and your control. You’ll reduce the risk of your golf ball ballooning and coming up short.

Windy days on the course require some adjustments and you’ll have to rely on your short game to shoot low scores, but it is absolutely possible.

Focus on controlled, shorter swings

Next time you head to the driving range, work on practicing some shorter, more controlled swings. You only need to take the club back about 3/4 of the way. Your finish may even be abbreviated.

See if you can gain a little control swinging like this.

Learning to hit a controlled knockdown or punch shot will minimize the effects of the wind on your golf game and make you a more accurate player.

Mental strategy adjustments (Keep your head in the game)

Windy conditions can almost seem unfair at times. It’s easy to get down on yourself about missed greens and lost yardage but you must stay positive in the wind.

Look at these tough conditions as a challenge. Trust your adjustments, stay patient and work on hitting controlled shots. Overpowering your shots will lead to higher scores and positions that leave you in serious trouble on the course.

Final thoughts

To play effectively in the wind, start at the putting green with a more stabilized putting stance. Learn to control your ball flight without swinging harder and you can hit the shots you want when you want them. Being more strategic about your days on the course when it’s windy is your best chance at going low. You can learn to adapt to the wind but you don’t have to love it. I certainly don’t!

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