AFTER last weekend, Bahrain’s golfers will have been reminded all too well of how tough it is to play golf when the wind is blowing excessively.
The most challenging game in the world becomes even harder when you are wrapped up in jumpers, your hands are cold and you can barely stand up straight let alone swing!
However, if you remember to play SMART in the wind, there is no reason that you can’t still focus and play some great golf.
The important thing is to swing slowly and smoothly. When hitting shots into the wind, our instincts encourage us to hit the ball harder in order to make up for the fact that the wind will reduce the length of our shots. This is counterproductive because the harder and faster we swing, the more backspin will be applied to the ball resulting in a higher flight.
Into the wind, our goal is to keep the ball low. Swing smoothly to encourage better contact and the ball will be less affected by the wind.
In order to keep the ball lower and encourage a smoother swing, take one, two or three clubs or more, depending on how strong the wind is. In addition, gripping down the club and putting the ball slightly further back in your stance will help achieve the desired outcome.
And aim sensibly. When playing into the wind or in cross winds, make sure you take your natural shot shape into account before selecting your target.
When it is windy, pars are a really good score, so unless you are forced to, try not to be too aggressive. Allow for your natural shot shape and accept that (depending on the wind direction) the ball flight will likely be influenced.
Keep rotating too because in a successful golf swing, the body is the power source and the arms and hands are simply passengers.
When hitting into the wind, our instincts can often encourage us to hit with our hands in order to help make power. But flipping the clubface at impact adds loft to the club and produces a weak ball flight that gets bullied by the wind.
Make sure your body is the boss and keeps turning through until you reach your finishing position.
You have to trap the ball. In order to combat the dreaded ‘flip’ of the hands at impact, it will help to visualise your hands ahead of the ball at impact, de-lofting the club slightly and trapping the ball so it shoots out low.
If you combine this with sustained body rotation, you should produce a lower, more penetrating flight that bores through the wind.
If you can remember and practice these ideas, you should be better prepared the next time you have to deal with windy conditions.
For more information on this topic or to find out more about the golf coaching services offered at Awali Golf Club, please contact me on 39761873.
Good luck and happy golfing.
