Welcome to Play Smarta regular GOLF.com game improvement column that will help you play smarter and better golf.
If you’ve been tuning in to the US Open by now, you know this the wind is howling in Shinnecock. With gusts of up to 40 mph in the forecast all afternoon, players are battling not only William Flynn’s fiendish pattern, but Mother Nature as well.
Playing golf in the elements is not easy – and strong winds can be the most difficult of all. When fouls break out on a golf course, controlling your ball becomes an almost impossible task.
Shinnecock Hills has many defenses available, but the most treacherous of them may be the wind. In the four previous times that the US Open has been held, the wind has been strong and, as a result, only three players in total have finished below par.
Weekend warriors rarely face conditions as dire as those at Shinnecock this week, but if you do, it’s important to know how to control the ball in the wind. Check out the three keys below out of a few TOP 100 GOLF TEACHERS that can help you.
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3 keys to playing golf in the wind
1. Move the ball position back
When you’re dealing with a dead shot in the wind, you’ll want to keep the ball low so the elements have a negligible effect. An easy way to do this is to move the position of the ball so that it is further back in your position.
“Moving the ball back a little in your stance helps you move the club away, which naturally lowers the trajectory.” says Jim Murphy. “A lower flight means less wind exposure and more predictable results.”
2. Club up
Don’t be afraid to take an extra club when playing in the wind. It can be tempting to play with your normal swing and try to swing hard and muscle it through the wind, but this will only add spin and cause the ball to come up short. Instead, do a gentle three-quarter swing.
“The smaller the swing, the less speed, lift and spin your ball will have.” says Kellie Stenzel.
3. Think field goal
If you’re struggling to conceptualize the size of your three-quarter swing, try thinking about your technique when hitting a pitch. Move the ball back into position, open the clubface just a touch and have a nice back and in swing.
“You’ll hit a guaranteed low-burner,” says Jonathan Yarwood. “Really low spin, really low trajectory that will cut into the wind.”
