How To Play In The Spring Winds
Nay wind, nay golf, the Scots like to say… but this was a little much. I was at The Fields Golf Club in Palm Springs, Ca. along with 100 other hopefuls looking to grab one of 4 spots remaining for the 1987 PGA first stage Q-School, when a tour official with a walkie-talkie approached. “ They’ve closed the 10 Freeway due to gusts in excess of 75mph,” he said. The 10 freeway is connection Highway from California to Arizona and the rest of the USA, only about a five-minute drive from our location. The wind was blowing so hard that jumping Choia were dislodging from the surrounding cactus and scattering across the course while swirling sand from the traps and the desert stung exposed eyes and faces unmercifully. With no chance of a make-up round, officials instructed us to play on, and I lucked my way to a 79, the lowest score on a day where half the field tore up their cards and walked off, frustrated with the appalling conditions. I’ll never forget how many crazy shots I hit that day and how much fun it was trying to negotiate the wind. The 79 I shot felt like the equivalent of a 60 in normal conditions. One particular par 4 – normally a drive and a 7-iron – was playing straight into the teeth and I hit a drive, 3-wood, 3-wood, and ten foot putt to save par!
Obviously the conditions that day were extraordinary, but with spring time upon us there is wind in your future, and I would like to share with you my tips for better golf on those days-
1) HEADWIND SHOTS
The most important thing to remember here is that as the wind increases in strength you must take plenty of club and swing EASY- this way you will impart less backspin on the ball and it will cut through the wind without upshooting and falling back at your feet! When driving into the wind, DO NOT tee it lower- this will only encourage a descending blow creating too much backspin and shorter drives. Always give the wind complete and utter respect to the point of over estimating its strength.
2) DOWNWIND SHOTS
When playing downwind, folks who naturally hit a high ball will have an advantage because the tail wind will more readily assist a ball that reaches a higher apex, so if you don’t typically hit the ball very high don’t expect as much help from the wind. Knowing this should help you club your shot accordingly.
3) CROSSWIND SHOTS
You have two choices here- if the wind is coming from the left you can aim left, play a normal shot, and allow the ball to ride the wind back to the target, or you can work the ball from right to left against the prevailing wind. Unless you are an expert, however, I would recommend the first option.
4) PUTTING IN THE WIND
This can be a difficult task depending on the severity of the conditions. When the breeze is strong enough to make your cap fly off your head, it’s best to widen your stance and make sure your weight is evenly distributed for balance. It can be a good idea not to ground your putter as well, because the ball might want to roll before you strike it. My single best thought when putting in the wind is to strike the putt solidly. Remember also to allow for extra break in the putt if the wind is strong enough.
Conditions remained fairly difficult for the entire week of the ’87 first stage, held at The Field Golf Course. The tournament was remembered for Mac O’Grady’s 90 on that windy day and also for the player-protest walk out after pros were seven and eight putting the third green due to high winds and a precarious hole location! Sunday’s final round was halted and officials elected to replay the round on Monday.
Good luck this spring on those windy days and remember if you give the wind the respect it deserves, you’ll have more fun!
