How can I learn to play in windy conditions?

Golf is a game played outdoors. Because it is always played out in the open, weather conditions can increase the difficulty of play. The wind can push a slight fade or draw headed for the center of the green into a greenside bunker.

In the 3^rd round of the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews last Saturday, play was suspended at 12:31pm local time due to 30-40 mph winds that caused balls to roll off the greens. When a 40mph gust of wind blew through, five players called for rulings for their balls moving on the greens. Play was halted shortly thereafter. Only six players had finished their rounds.The rest of the players were on standby until 6:00pm when play was suspended for the day.The third round resumed play at 6:15am Sunday morning. The fourth round tee times were scheduled from 8:00am until 1:40pm.

Turn off the wind in your mind

Having a “wind delay” in a tournament is not uncommon. Golfers used to playing in the wind in Florida and Texas are not disturbed by changing wind conditions. If you aren’t used to having the wind as a factor in your golf game, the results could surprise you. You can read about how Tour players mentally handle playing in the wind in my newsletter article at http://bit.ly/15LWoGU

Change in wind ruling

In 2000 when I was playing in the USGA Senior Amateur at Sea Island Golf Club, GA., we had a 4-hour wind delay. At that time the ruling was different than it is now. The rule stated that if a ball at rest before addressing it, is moved by the wind which is an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. A ball moving after you have addressed it is a penalty, so we made sure we didn’t ground our putters in our pre-shot routines.

The current ruling states that if the ball before addressing it moves either due to the wind or the slope of the putting green, the player must play his/her ball from the new position without penalty. The good news is that if the ball was moved into the hole by the wind, then the player is deemed to have holed out with his previous stroke (Decision 20-3d/1).

Physical Preparation

• If the wind is blowing hard, widen your swing and putting stances for stability.
• To determine the direction and strength of the wind, throw some grass into the air.
• Adjust your club selection depending on whether the wind is in your face or      downwind.
• Control is your main objective. Decide on a club that you have confidence in and can hit solidly.
• When you are hitting downwind, tee up the ball to carry it farther with the wind.
• With the wind in your face, tee the ball down. With irons play the ball back in your stance to hit a knock down shot with a ¾ swing.

Positive Mental Attitudes

• When it is breezy, swing easy! Strong wind conditions will cause you to swing faster.
• Develop the attitude that weather conditions are a natural phenomenon and a part of the game to be enjoyed.
• Know that making the wind your friend gives you an advantage over other players.
• A strong wind affects your sensory system; feeling it against your face, hearing it, and seeing it blow the leaves on the trees.
• Your senses gear up and send a message to your brain for your muscles to react to this information.
• Breathe deeply to relax your mind and body.
• When it is breezy, swing easy! The windy conditions will cause you to swing faster.

For more information about how to play with a better mental golf game for lower scores and more enjoyment, contact Joan at 828-696-2547 or visit the Positive Mental Imagery website at www.pmi4.com.