Tips for playing in the wet and wind

TrapperChamonix

I guess the 1st tip might be "don't":D But given our climate if you want to play golf you have to play in the wind and rain. When you think about it the Irish should be the best wet weather players in the world. So lets share tips on how you play best in the wet. They can either be how to play the shots versus how to keep you and your the clubs dry.

Keeping Dry
Waterproof Hat.My top tip for waterproof hat is to use an ordinary baseball cap and spray with suede protector / waterproofing (that is used for shoes) before you start your round. It'll last the round (pretty much) and unlike most hats I've worn it doesn't make the head sweaty.
Put your valuables in a ziplock bag. There's noting worse than finding your wallet has been soaked while you've been playing. Also worth putting a spare glove in a ziplock bag if you need to change midway through a round.
One thing I do struggle with is getting good waterproof shoes (that needs to be my next investment).

Playing
Always remember to adjust your club yardage. The ball doesn't fly as far through the air. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people hit great 7 irons in the rain that fall a club / half a club short.
When playing in strong wind I don't hit my driver even into the wind. The main reason is that a large driver can act like a sail at the top of the backswing and push you off balance. Instead I use the 3 wood with a shorter t than normal.

slumped

Get yourself a waterproof golf bag cover and put 2 towels into your bag.

If you get cold when in the rain, carry a few heat pads in your bag and use them when needed


S

HarringtonVbest

one bag that you cant buy in ireland and is designed for ireland is the OGIO bag which has a very clever spring loaded top that closes immedately when you take your club out and if easier to open than a zipped bag/.
Other tip is to keep your swing flatter and that will help you punch your shot in lower and it will also run a little (depends on how wet it is) as if it is coming in high it will drop and possibly plug in the ground.

ShriekingSheet

Guys carrying bags in the rain is nuts I think. Bags like Ping Hoofers and the like get soaked, get much heavier, let the rain saturate through onto your clubs and when you carry them against your body you get even wetter yourself.

I've always forke and for a good leather-type tour bag. You can always fit everything you need for any kind of weather which is good on days that start off sunny, and carry-bag players might leave off the umbrella or head cover to lighten the load, only to be caught on the back 9.

Also, when you zip the top onto a tour bag you could pretty much chuck it in the sea and the clubs inside would still stay fairly dry and playable. Once your diligent closing the lid quickly when you take a club out you can get round in any kinda rain with dry grips.

An extra towel (not for mucky club heads) on top of the clubs, under the hood of the bag is good for drying grips after a shot and also helps keep rain off the clubs when you open the bag.

I always keep at least 5 old gloves for practice but also for very wet days so I can change every few holes.

madds

Swing slow in the wind...the number of people I see trying to muscle it with & against the wind is incredible. Take an extra 1/2 clubs if you are facing into a strong wind and swing it sloooowwww.

Mister Sifter

If it's really wet i sometimes stick tee pegs in the bottom of the clubs so that the butt of the grips don't get wet in the bottom of the bag.

I always have a towel attached up inside the brolley too.

I'm on the lookout for a cover for my bag, can anyone recommend a decent one. The Masters ones look a bit naff, but are there any others?

biggus

After Reading these posts it looks like I Haven't Really played in the wet !!!

My useful advice for wind aprt from agreeing with using an extra club into the wind is Don't allow for the Wind as much as everybody else does !!!

Seriously my personal opinion is that the wind effects your swing more than the flight of the ball so don't try to compensate by much or indeed ignore it to a large degree.

Par72

I have this one -http://www.thegolfshoponline.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.dspSingleProduct&productId=47
It's elasticated around the top and bottom and does the job.

Extra gloves in the rain are a must for me. I carry about 6 in my bag and change them every couple of holes.

K4t

Staying Dry:
1. Waterproofs (Jacket and Trousers, shoes and a cap. A hood on your golf bag and an umbrella are handy too but not essential.)

2. Waterproof Golf Glove! (I really cannot stress how important they are in wet conditions where the grips of your clubs will be sliding throught your fingers.

And that's it! If you tick all of the above then you are sorted for playing in any wind/rain conditions.

Playing in strong winds.
1. Ignore the wind.

2. If the wind is so strong that it's moving your ball substantially in the air. Allow for it!

3. Try and keep the ball low.

quigo

I find a short sleeve wet gear is handy for the summer or when its not raining that heavily and keep the jacket for when its really heavy. Its best if the jacket is loose fitting to allow for extra layers in winter. Big tour umbrellas are also worth getting.

3/4 punch shots or a long iron off the tee can help limit damage during windy conditions too.