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Wind

• tiffer67 1,764 Posts

  Sat, Nov 6 2010 6:23 AM

  Partsman41953:

  I have a question or two about wind. First, if you have a 20 mph wind blowing right to left across the fairway and you have a 210 yard shot with a 3 iron into the green how far fight would you start the ball and how would you know how far right to place your pointer? 

  Glenn there is no easy and definitive answer to the above. The only way of knowing is to play a lot of games in high winds. I find that with the longer shots most players underestimate just how much the crosswind affects the shot in the air and when it's rolling on the green. It's not a bad idea to take notes as you practice, writing down how far you aimed and the result.

  Second, take the same club and distance but the wind is at your back, how hard would you hit the club? I am figuring the club should be hit around 202-203 yards. Are my calculations correct here?

  It all depends on what is between you and the green. The terrain across the different courses is extremely varied and you can expect differing amounts of run on all of them. For the shot you mention it may well be landing the ball on the green isn't the best option, a lesser club landing short and running to the hole could be best.

  There is no real equation that you can use to calculate the perfect shot all the time. The ball reacts very differently in the wind depending on how much spin you put on it. Choosing the correct spin is just as important as picking the correct club. It really is down to practice and learning from your experience.

  I am having a very difficult time with our club tournaments with high winds. 

  I appreciate any help you can offer. 

  Glenn 

   

• Hoponu2 14 Posts

  Sat, Nov 6 2010 10:36 AM

  Its called score control, how else do you explain being able to shoot -2 or -3 the first 3 holes, then they shove 20mph winds in your face so you always lose your birdies that you earned. I've noticed everytime i'm 2 or 3 under for the first 3 holes the next 4 holes they shove 20mph winds in your face an if i'm even thru the first 3 holes the winds are always less an never in your face. there as crooked as a 3 dollar bill at WGT, you have to be a non-complainer, an be buddy buddy with them to get a decent game. They control who gets good scores. Its like i said before i say this cause i played under a friends name who is also a legend, we both play the same clubs, same balls, we both have the same internet provider, we both use IE7 an his name i can shoot -4 or better, the backspin works great, uinder his name an when i go back to my name, the game plays like crap.....now you tell me what the difference is other than them controlling the scores???????

• zagraniczniak 1,984 Posts

  Sat, Nov 6 2010 10:47 AM

  As suggested in other posts, there is a kind of sliding scale based on wind speed, hang time, and distance traveled in the wind, all of which increase the final result of the wind and thus how much to allow for the wind when aiming.

  However, it seems important in my experience to "anchor" the shot a bit if there is a strong wind, by hitting slightly off the ding in a direction that will have the ball biting a bit back into the wind.

  The worse thing is to miss - even slightly - in the direction that goes with the wind. This allows the wind to take control of the ball and carry it well off the desired path.

  If you go for the ding every time in heavy wind, pretty often you're going to lose the ball in the wind. So plan your shot to err on the correct side. You may still get the ding, but if not you will still get a good result - maybe even a better result.

  Also consider minimizing the effect of wind by hitting punch shots. (You then have to make other allowances, such as less bite when hitting the green and a longer roll-out.)

• WGTicon 12,511 Posts

  Sat, Nov 6 2010 1:06 PM

  Partsman41953:

  I have a question or two about wind. First, if you have a 20 mph wind blowing right to left across the fairway and you have a 210 yard shot with a 3 iron into the green how far fight would you start the ball and how would you know how far right to place your pointer? 

  Second, take the same club and distance but the wind is at your back, how hard would you hit the club? I am figuring the club should be hit around 202-203 yards. Are my calculations correct here?

  I am having a very difficult time with our club tournaments with high winds. 

  I appreciate any help you can offer. 

  Glenn 

   

  Hi,

  There is no exact answer as it depends on course, what club, what spin you use. But the best answer I can give you in this: keep notes on wind/holes/aiming. If you hit a very good shot, note how much, how far you aimed and what club you hit. Next time when you are at that hole, refer to your notes adjust.

  Pretty soon you'll memorize most holes/winds and will be a much better player overall.

  -icon