I Am Terrible In The Wind And I'm Sick Of It

[Backache]

If you switch down from the 320 yd high fade to a 285 yd low stinger it usually works in the wind.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Getting 50 different opinions from a load of drongos on a golf forum is definitely the way to go then.

Closed stance and feel you're closing the face as you hit through the ball, and make sure you follow through down the line.

51

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

Some comedy gold on here. Telling a slicer of the ball to put the ball back in his stance and hit more down on it will not help in any way shape or form. Unless the intent was to get him to hit it off the planet right or heely tops and shanks.

 

[Orikoru]

Do you carry a 3w?

I play golf for fun,if it’s really windy or raining I don’t go.

Yeah, I like my 3 wood. I don't think it would go as far as driver into wind though. This weekend it's 16°c, I wouldn't miss out on that just because there's 30mph gusts as well.

 

[rulie]

Getting 50 different opinions from a load of drongos on a golf forum is definitely the way to go then.

Closed stance and feel you're closing the face as you hit through the ball, and make sure you follow through down the line.

And discounting all of them anyways!!

 

[jim8flog]

Sounds like a recipe for hitting down on the ball and imparting more spin. It's been shown that the better result for longer drives into wind is higher launch, lower spin than the other way around.

Realised I should have been a bit more precise about what I mean by teeing it down a bit. In a normal swing I use 70mm tees, when I lower it down I switch to pink castle tees so I am only dropping it down by about 8mm.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Yeah, I like my 3 wood. I don't think it would go as far as driver into wind though. This weekend it's 16°c, I wouldn't miss out on that just because there's 30mph gusts as well.

Sorry mate,I have no answers to your problem.
Maybe hit 3w into par 4’s after driver tee shot

 

[Depreston]

It’s woeful playing in the wind tbh just accept it and move on

 

[Depreston]

I cannot play golf in the wind. It looks set to be another breezy one this weekend, ruining an otherwise lovely spell of weather, so I thought I might try and get some tips before I go this time.


Problem
I can only hit a fade with driver, 3 wood, etc. Whenever I play a left-to-right wind, or straight into it, I'm completely screwed and have no answer to it.


What I've Tried
Using a lower tee - idea is to keep it under the wind more, but I've heard that a lower tee just promotes more fade so that might be cancelling it out. Maybe even adding spin as well? (I'm using a 9° driver.) Should I stop doing this and just stick with my normal tee height?

Aim further left - other slicers will be very familiar with this concept, but the more left I am, it's like my subconscious takes over and opens the face of the club without my permission to 'guide it' back to the fairway - making the slice action even worse and end up further right than ever. It's very difficult to aim at the left trees and actually commit to putting your normal swing on it, seemingly.

Another factor that my subconscious is killing me on, particularly straight into the wind, is that my calm, measured backswing disappears and it's like my brain says "need to hit it hard to get through this wind" and I end up with a longer backswing that I don't want - which promotes more slice.


What's Next?
Strengthening grip - my grip is already pretty strong but maybe I should strengthen the right hand round a little further for these particularly drives?

Closing stance - might have more luck if I shift my right foot back a little, coupled with the grip change, and basically try and hit straight-left pulls?


Just at my wit's end at the minute at the way my game crumbles in 25-30mph winds. Generally speaking my driving has improved on last year (couldn't get much worse) but the wind brings me right back to earth with a bump. Many of you are links or coastal players so you must have some gold tips for me??


(Note: Using an iron isn't the answer since my longest iron is a 6 so that will go absolutely nowhere. My 3W & 7W are high-launching so probably wouldn't be much help.)

Mate even the pros struggle at that speed of wind just watch the leaders on Saturday last years open

 

[Orikoru]

It’s woeful playing in the wind tbh just accept it and move on

It's just tough at my place, because if the wind is going in the direction it typically does, it blows me straight out of bounds on three holes on the front nine - 4th 5th and 8th. So the round is dead before it's begun.

 

[SteveJay]

Having moved from parkland to a windy links course I think there is no easy solution other than looking at your technique and trying to straighten out that fade. Lessons might be the only way to go.

The wind intimated me when I first moved to Fleetwood, but now it's something I accept and, as has been mentioned, you usually benefit from downwind holes.

Crosswinds are difficult, but its surprising how often when you (or your partners) strike the ball well, with a square club face, that the ball is hardly affected by wind. Yes, you can lose distance, but often when allowing for a strong crosswind, you can end up off the fairway as the wind didn't really move the ball.

I do think the driver loft isn't helping you though. I hit it quite high with all my clubs, but use a 10.5 driver and also have a 7 wood which is my go to club even in strong wind.

 

[Crow]

It's just tough at my place, because if the wind is going in the direction it typically does, it blows me straight out of bounds on three holes on the front nine - 4th 5th and 8th. So the round is dead before it's begun.

Try knobbing a couple of 7 irons instead of driver OB.

 

[Orikoru]

Try knobbing a couple of 7 irons instead of driver OB.

Would feel like I'd given up.

 

[Crow]

Would feel like I'd given up.

Playing to your strengths!

 

[PJ87]

Two things I pick up on

A 9 degree driver!! in my experience the less loft on a club the more it will side spin if there is any side spin on it.
I went to a 10.5 years ago for that reason (I also fitted a low hitting shaft to compensate for the extra loft).

It is very often said phrase like "in the breezy swing it easy" you are right in what you have said the hardewr you hit it generally speaking the more spin you will get.

My own technique is to tee lower, with the ball very slightly not so far forward in my stance and have less follow through i.e hit more of a punch shot than a full shot which helps to keep the ball down.

I was fitted for a 9 degree head with a low spinning shaft cranked down to 8.25 to get my spin low and improve my flight

Has really helped

 

[Voyager EMH]

Having moved from parkland to a windy links course I think there is no easy solution other than looking at your technique and trying to straighten out that fade. Lessons might be the only way to go.

The wind intimated me when I first moved to Fleetwood, but now it's something I accept and, as has been mentioned, you usually benefit from downwind holes.

Crosswinds are difficult, but its surprising how often when you (or your partners) strike the ball well, with a square club face, that the ball is hardly affected by wind. Yes, you can lose distance, but often when allowing for a strong crosswind, you can end up off the fairway as the wind didn't really move the ball.

I do think the driver loft isn't helping you though. I hit it quite high with all my clubs, but use a 10.5 driver and also have a 7 wood which is my go to club even in strong wind.

Ah, thanks for reminding me.
I must put one of my 1-irons in the bag when I visit Fleetwood. And remember to practice with it a few days before going there.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I rather enjoy the challenge that wind presents (maybe it’s my diet) - but tbh when it’s windy but cold and I fancy a few holes by myself, and so have a choice, I tend to choose something else.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Do what you have done before and start topping it. Will keep it under the wind

 

[patricks148]

Swing easy, use soft hands and don't be over ambitious.

 

[3 jabber]

Trying to manipulate the flight is a recipe for disaster unless you are highly skilled. Concentrate on a solid strike as the ball will deviate less and let the wind do its thing.