Driver help wind

[Shawn22]

I am 20 years old and a 3 handicap. I have been having problems lately hitting my driver but only when it is into the wind. I usually average around 290 yards with no wind but when the wind is blowing in I usually hit pop ups with the driver or weak slices that only go about 200 yards. Any help is appreciated. Thankyou.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Driver help wind

Shawn22,

For someone who has achieved a 3 h/capp and hit around 290yds I would have thought the wind wouldn't have much affect on what must be a great ball flight, wind usually affects players with high ball flights and slices etc......


As you are only 20 I suspect it's that aggressive youth coming out with the "Big Dog".........My adivce and still the best is to swing a little smoother and don't get drawn into fighting against the wind. It's a natural instinct to hit harder into the wind.....!!


Hope this helps.




Ian.

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver help wind

I'll go with Ian on this.

Playing into the wind? Take one (or two) more club(s).

[gord962]

Re: Driver help wind

Taking more club than a driver could be difficult.

For hitting into the wind you can lower your ball flight by taking a more shallow swing. Also, close your clubface a bit and move the ball back an inch or two.

Also, follow what Ian said - you could be trying to hit the ball even harder knowing that you are into the wind and just not making a smooth connection.

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver help wind

Taking more club than a driver could be difficult.

LOL right on.

I guess my advice was aimed generally at playing in the wind altogether. After re-reading the original post, I would daresay that it could very well be the 'kill it' mentality.

[gord962]

Re: Driver help wind

I just had to poke fun. And another very good point.

Here is some good general advice for playing with strong winds:

If hitting a lower lofted club, the wind won't affect the distance as much, especially if playing a course with a lot of mature trees - shots over the tree line will be affected much more by the wind.

If you are losing, for example, 20 yards on your 5 iron going into the wind, remember you will gain an additional 20 yards with the same club going with the wind. Remember to adjust your club selections accordingly.

Side winds also change your distance, but mostly the wind moves your ball off target. Remember to either play a draw or fade into the wind or aim further to one side, left for example if the wind is moving left to right and let the wind bring your ball into your intended target area.

Diagonal winds will cause even more confusion. Depending on the wind strength and if it wind is stronger from across or against/behind, adjust according tho the two pieces of information above. People who do not play in wind often will find judging distances extremely difficult, yet those who play in windy environments on a regular basis will be heard saying, for example, "it's about a 2 club wind." This means with the wind, club down 2 clubs from what you would normally hit from a particular distance and club up 2 clubs if hitting into the wind.

[sweig]

Re: Driver help wind

Wind shouldn't be that big of a deal forget its even there when teeing up the driver, also remember a smoother swing with better tempo and timing will always go farther than someone that swings faster whith no tempo or timing.

[gord962]

Re: Driver help wind

Wind shouldn't be that big of a deal forget its even there when teeing up the driver, also remember a smoother swing with better tempo and timing will always go farther than someone that swings faster whith no tempo or timing.

I completely disagree. Obviously you have never played in really windy conditions, or you hit the ball extremely low already. Last weekend 4 of us were playing in about 30 km/h winds that would gust up to about 50 km/h and it made a HUGE difference. Just with driver from the tee against the wind I was getting about 230 yards and with the wind I was hitting about 350 yards. On two par 5s, both about 500 yards, the difference was hitting into the wind I was a full 3 wood after my drive and still about 40 yards from the green, and the par 5 with the wind I was at the 150 yard marker after my drive and hit a SW to the back of the green.

[Mizunoman]

Re: Driver help wind

Yea I play in a lot of wind here on the east coat of scotland. Holes 8 and 9 at my course are almost exactly the same length and run parallel but in opposite directions. 8 is usually into the wind and 9 is downwind. Last week I hit Driver - 7 wood to 8 and 4 wood Sand wedge to 9.

I practice hitting driver off the turf for really strong winds. You can get good distance into the wind that way since the ball tends to be a real ankle shatterer, going right under the wind. Just watch for the big push right.

D.

[prowlsta]

Re: Driver help wind

I agree- just swing through it and dont worry about length- I keep a 1 iron in the bag as a links golfer which im able o hit a low draw with which can come in v usefull

[bonzi_532]

Re: Driver help wind

a low draw with any club in the wind is good