[rfdegen]

I was on a sales trip in Texas this past week. In Waco, we had a good 2 club wind, which gave me fits on a few holes as it was a rolling, tree-lined course where the wind swirled and couldn't always be detected. In El Paso, the wind was so strong while warming up that driver shots went 60-70 yards sideways and the wind blew the ball off the tee. I talked to two guys who had just quit their round, disgusted after nine holes. Thankfully it calmed to a good 2 club wind about the time I teed off. I enjoyed the second round more as it was easier to determine the wind and play the shot accordingly. But overall, I like playing in the wind as it adds another aspect to the game and forces me to get more creative in my shot making. How about you?

[dpark]

I also like playing in the wind. Wouldn't want to do it every single day, but like you said, it is good to play in different conditions. I like to hit knock-down/punch shots and enjoy successfully executing them in windy conditions. I qualified for my state am a couple of years back and played at Bandon Dunes in 40-50mph sustained winds all day. Had to hit driver to a 200 yard par-3 (into the wind), and went over the green with driver-hybrid on a 600 yard par-5 (downwind).

[Andreas]

It's rare not to play in at least a 2-club wind here in Cape Town. You're right though, it does focus the mind.
Oh, and it's alot of fun when you reach the hole with a crazy tailwind and hit a 380yd drive... you'd better make birdie because it only goes 240 in the other direction!

[sporto98]

no

[Qwagmire]

yes because others dont, gives me an advantage

[RMike9]

yes, learned to play on a links style course. No real links courses here in SD but as I said a links style course. close to the ocean with breezes everyday, it helped me learn how to control the ball better, swing within myself and work the ball.
I have shot some of my best rounds in the wind.

[HossOnMoss]

I wouldn't say that I like it, but playing the wind doesn't really bother me that much anymore. After living in Vegas for 5 years now, I have learned to deal with it because it constantly blows here and all of the courses are very exposed. The only time that playing in the wind really ruins the round for me is when it's cold as well. If it's warm enough and blowing less than 30 mph, I can handle it although I would prefer calm conditions.

[Deemac]

Yes!

Forces you to become creative! And as a previous poster said, gives an advantage over those who don't!!

[Texsport]

Can't help but play in the wind in Texas, except in the middle of the summer.

Kids who grow up learning the game here can all knock it down.

Every time I've played in Cape Town, the wind has been more than 2 clubs----more like white caps in the hotel's pool velocities.

Texsport

[Sully]

I enjoy playing in the wind when playing casual rounds - it gives you an extra challenge that is fun to overcome. I don't enjoy it so much in competition though.

[Plusonegolfer]

love the wind, bring it on. Most folks lose their mind and focus which gives the rest of us an advantage...

[Shambles]

Wind makes a hot day of golfing a lot easier. Granted there is a lot of thinking needed, that's the part of golf that makes the game interesting.


Shambles

[Qwagmire]

NO. 30 gusting to 50+ at Rustic today. I hit a 5 iron on a hole I had never hit more than gap wedge on before.

At the turn I grabbed an old putter from the car and used it effectively to roll the ball around the green since it was a links course. I could hit it about 75 yards!

[petter7]

I've never had a problem with windy conditions. The only time it can get unmanageable is when it
blows so hard it adversely affects short game and putting. As long as it doesn't do that let it blow.

[KyCutter]

I tend to enjoy it. I like flighting shots and working the ball in the wind. I'm old so I can remember the days of "working" the golf ball.

'Cutter

[Thetoe]

Our golf course is only about two miles away from Old Man River and this time of year the wind blows quite a bit...Don't mind it; In fact, kinda enjoy it...Of course, as a kid, I learned the game in West Texas when my Dad was stationed at Ft. Bliss (El Paso). I also lived in El Paso again for about 18 months in the early 1980's...so I've got some amount of wind experience. I just try to swing easier, hit the ball solid ,and, remember that downwind iron shots don't stop as quickly...Love to play against guys that think that the trick is try to swing harder and hit it "through" the wind...Such guys are generally good for a buck or two; and a beer or free drink or two after a windy day round...That's my $.02

Best Regards

Tommy C (Thetoe)

[Texsport]

"Swing easy when it's breezy"!

Texsport

[rfdegen]

Suddenly it's summer here in Wisconsin! Holy cow! 30-40 degrees above normal highs. I played both days over the weekend. Along with the warm temps, it's a bit breezy. Yesterday #18 was playing into the wind off the tee. A good 2 shot breeze. Second shots with a cross wind. Playing alone, two balls, one my normal PV1X and the other a Wilson staff I found. The Wilson sure ballooned in the wind, while I was able to cut the wind with the PV1. Sure had fun and hit some quality shots, wind or no wind. It may snow again next week, but we'll enjoy this while it's here.

[Texsport]

There can pretty much be two styles of play for the north vs south.

In southern, windy, dry areas you want to keep the ball down and it'll roll out on fairaways.

In the north, you want maximum carry because the faairways are softer generally.

So, selection of shafts and balls are different on average, in the different geographic areas.

It makes you learn to flight the ball, if you want to play in both areas.

Texsport

[Xander_Reigns]

I'm not sure anyone actually prefers playing in the wind. That just wouldn't make any sense. I'm a high spin, high ball player, and the wind drives me nuts. I am capable of hitting most shots, but I would much prefer to play the number. Just trying to be honest...

[Texsport]

Xander_Reigns, on 20 March 2012 - 11:33 AM, said:

I'm not sure anyone actually prefers playing in the wind. That just wouldn't make any sense. I'm a high spin, high ball player, and the wind drives me nuts. I am capable of hitting most shots, but I would much prefer to play the number. Just trying to be honest...

Players who prefer match play and can flight it down like the wind for matches.

With a mind set that you have an advantage, you can develop a liking for most things.

Texsport

[Thetoe]

Texsport, on 20 March 2012 - 02:12 PM, said:

Players who prefer match play and can flight it down like the wind for matches.

With a mind set that you have an advantage, you can develop a liking for most things.

Texsport

What Tex said...Golf, like any other competition requires a mindset that gives you an advantage..or as Robert E Lee said.."Live in the world that you inhabit..take things as you find them,and,learn to turn them to your advantage."

Best regards

Tommy C (Thetoe)

[Xander_Reigns]

Texsport, on 20 March 2012 - 01:12 PM, said:

Players who prefer match play and can flight it down like the wind for matches.

With a mind set that you have an advantage, you can develop a liking for most things.

Texsport

I understand your logic here, and I don't have a problem flighting the ball down. I am simply saying that I prefer playing in calm conditions because I score lower, and I don't have to stray wildly from my natural high draw. Generally speaking, when playing in gross events and scratch match play I score well relative to the field or my opponent regardless of conditions. I would just rather not have to be wind burned and exhausted after the fact. During the fall and spring in Colorado, the wind is friggin bitter.

[Texsport]

Calm days are beautiful!

Texsport

[rfdegen]

Given a preference I would rather play in calm conditions, but as has been alluded to here by Tommy and Tex, there's a certain satisfaction going into a round when the wind is blowing and knowing you have an advantage over others because you can control the ball in the wind. Played nine after work last night. Not really breezy, just a club wind. Hit 7 iron from 8 iron distance to the green, into the wind and one of my playing partners said "It's long" while in flight and I knew it was on the number, pin high, putting for birdie.

You've got that right about our soft fairways up here. Hit driver off the tee and find the ball 2-3' from the ball mark. Out in El Paso a few weeks ago, hit 4 iron off the tee with the wind, a low draw [normal a 190 shot] and it runs out to about 250 into the middle of the fairway where the fairway pinched tight. Just loved that shot.

Saturday they opened our back nine, Tuesday opened the front. Considering last year we didn't open until mid-April, we're livin large, fuzzy after-winter greens and all.