One of the hardest things to do in golf is to play in the wind. The wind causes way more problems than we expect. In order for you to be successful in the wind, you are going to have to change a few things about your approach. Jerry King, former Director of the Kapalua Resort Golf Academy and now the Director of Instruction at the Discovery Land Company at in Mexico, gives us a great lesson on how to deal with the wind.
The goal when you play in the wind is to hit the ball lower, which means you are going to have to alter your swing a bit. In order to hit the ball high, you finish your swing high allowing the ball to jump up into the air. If you want it to go low, you finish your swing lower than normal.
Balance and control
The two words that Jerry King has for golfers playing in the wind are balance and control. When the wind is blowing, it’s important to maintain balance, which will give you more control over your body and the ball flight. To do this, Jerry recommends setting up with a slightly wider stance and getting a little lower. This will provide a better foundation and more balance, leading to more control.
In addition to balance, it’s important to control the length of your swing. Jerry recommends being wise in your club selection and taking one or two extra clubs for every ten miles per hour of wind. Swinging at a smoother pace and with a more compact motion will lead to less spin on the ball, giving you a more penetrating trajectory with less spin.
