YankeeJim:
MartyBerro: 1 flagstick and 0.71 of a flagstick
This is what I'm lost on. The flagstick isn't wide enough to use as a measure so it must mean something different to you. That is what I'm trying to figure out. :-)
YJ - think of it as 'flag stick lengths' = ~7ft or ~2 yds. for a given club and cross wind, the ball flight will be blown 'x flag sticks' away from your aiming point, if the shot is dinged. My personal rough gauge is 10mph = 1 flag stick at 100 yds out; scale as appropriate for distance and wind strength.
It's all very dependent on what clubs and balls your hitting, of course. High trajectory/spin clubs vs. medium trajectory/spin clubs will deliver differing 'wind drift' characteristics.
Of course one can compensate for cross-winds in other ways, like hitting 'off-ding' early or late to compensate for wind at the expense of a little distance. For a 20 mph right - left cross wind, hit the 'dang line' at the right end of the light blue area either side of the 'ding' line; for a left-right cross-wind, hit the 'dong' line at the left edge of the light blue. It scales pretty good so, for a 10mph cross wind, hitting half way into the light blue on the appropriate side of 'ding' will work well.
Me personally? I combine the the two methods, depending on factors like elevation, slope of green in landing area, and what spin I've chose to apply.
p.s.: twominusone beat me in replying, but I tend to rattle on sometimes, lol.