Posted on: 1 May
Wet, Wet, Wet
Last month I continued playing events on the Sparms Australian Legends tour in South Australia. Although it was a tight schedule I did manage to squeeze in some sampling of the local produce in the Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Limestone Coast……..…. plenty of decent wines from this region.
Of course golf was the main focus and I managed to continue my good form from the Victoria swing. The major event for this SA swing was the 36 hole PGA. Tied after regulation play, Peter Fowler and I went head to head in a play-off with the elder statesman taking the title. I also shot a winning course record round at the Thaxed Park pro-am. So overall a very good trip.
We were lucky with the weather in SA. Apart from one average day the sun shined on the golf course which makes playing very enjoyable.
But, with winter just around the corner, it got me thinking about how much bad weather can influence the way you play and think on the golf course. So to help avoid a drop off in performance here are 4 things to consider the next time you play in the wet.
1. Rain Equipment – Seems obvious but be prepared for the bad weather. I can’t tell you how much more enjoyable bad weather is when you invest in a good quality rain jacket, umbrella and shoes. But if you’re only going to buy one thing – make it a wet weather glove. It will make a huge difference when trying to hold onto wet grips.
2. Use more club – In wet weather you will lose distance. Not only will the ball not roll as far (because believe it or not the weight of the water will slow down a ball) but as the air is heavier (denser) the ball will not fly as far as well. That all adds up to using one more club for your approach shots.
3. Concentrate on swing tempo not distance – Accept that in an effort to keep dry and warm by wearing an extra layer of clothes, your movement will be restricted leading to less clubhead speed and therefore less distance. Concentrate on making solid contact each time by maintaining a nice rhythm. Again, this means you will need to take an extra club (for example; making solid contact with a fairway wood is easier than using a long iron).
4. Stay patient – Playing in wet weather is tough. It’s all about having a good mindset and not getting frustrated. You are not likely to be shooting course records when the weather is bad. It is going to be tough and accepting that bad things are going to happen can help you relax and enjoy the challenge of getting the best you can out of every shot.
Playing in bad weather is sometimes unavoidable but if you use the above tips it can still be an enjoyable experience. To help you improve your golfing experience book a lesson at michaellonggolf.com