Playing good golf on windy days requires adjustment, practice

It’s the windy season! Our heavy windy period, which mostly lasts through April, often causes damage to structures (e.g. roofs blown off), uprooting trees and means blowing dust and “brownouts.” It’s a difficult time of year for us golfers. Afternoons are frequently typified by 10, 20 and 30 mph winds, with higher gusts. Golf courses are playable under windy conditions, but a 40 mph wind is too high for golf. Golf becomes unplayable when the ball begins to move from a stationary position on the putting surface. That said, here are a few tips for playing good golf on very windy days.

There are basically three wind conditions (and shots) we are concerned with: hitting into the wind, hitting down wind and hitting into a cross wind. Bear in mind that several variables  include high wicked gusts, shifting wind directions and air density (i.e. humidity). The variation in the wind will be greater on hilly or mountain courses, and will be less on flatter topography. The wind has the potential to affect every golf shot from a 300-yard drive to a 3-foot putt. In our town, my own experience has taught me that the prevailing wind this time of year is from the southwest and the west, which tends to create the most blowing dust. And the wind is the strongest coming down the West Mesa, and less strong on the East Mesa. Playing golf this time of year requires that we become adept at reading the breeze, and maybe embrace the wind.

When hitting straight into the wind it’s, of course, recommended that you take more club – sometimes even two or three clubs up; one more club for every 10 mph of wind speed. Some pros like to grip down on the club and make a shorter backswing, leading to better control. Trying to swing the club harder is not a good idea that too often results in a high, wildly ballooning golf ball. One of my favorite shots into a strong wind is a low hot-running hook that stays well beneath a wind gust. When hitting with the wind behind you, remember that the wind will actually affect the higher shots the most, and sometimes “knock down” a rising ball, thereby flattening the trajectory. A lower ball flight still makes the most sense. Note that it will be harder to stop your shot, so playing for the ball’s roll-out is important.

Playing a shot with a strong left-to-right or right-to-left crosswind takes some practice, especially since you need to figure out whether you’re better at hitting into the wind or going with the direction of the wind. For approach shots to the green, we need to notice where exactly the hole is located, as we want to avoid being short-sided downwind to the hole. A controlled, balanced swing is what’s needed.

Putting on a windy day presents an equally dramatic challenge. For most golfers putting represents 40 percent of their scores. A strong breeze or wind will certainly affect how the ball rolls, especially when the greens are fairly fast. It’s important, as with all other shots, that you stay balanced; sometimes a wider stance is needed. Be acutely aware of the slope of the green and the direction of the wind when hitting an approach shot or a chip to the green; it may be impossible to stop a downhill, downwind, down-grain putt; it might just roll off the green. Pay particular attention to the break of the putt, as you may need more “borrow” than before.

Dr. Charlie Blanchard is a licensed psychologist specializing in sports and leadership. Contact him at docblanchard71@gmail.com.