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Question on Wind

• whooshdangit 1,246 Posts

  Sun, Dec 20 2015 7:05 AM

  courteneyfish:

  JimbeauC:

  The general consensus is that it does not have an effect. 

   The wind DEFINITELY does have an effect.

   

   

  All relative to the volume of course, not very gentlemanly though.

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Sun, Dec 20 2015 9:25 AM

  hakman123:

  I think it is pretty clear that each grouping tends to spread in the direction of the wind. Hence wind does influence putts.

  Nice study. The question is, how much do you allow for a given wind?

  I think the wind affect is more inclined to steer a putt off a line when it's crossing. Not a lot but enough to cause a lipout or slide-by. It isn't like there's a formula, it's more of a feel thing, IMO.

  Strong head and tail winds could affect a putt where a slope is involved, too. Think of some of those windy conditions in the Open at SA-the balls were drifting all over the place. Again, playing the putting challenge should give you an insight to what kind of correction you should make in a given situation.

• hakman123 2,119 Posts

  Sun, Dec 20 2015 12:17 PM

  YankeeJim:

  Nice study. The question is, how much do you allow for a given wind?

  I used about 15 mph winds - and this seemed to be enough to push the putt off line by about a cup width over 30 ft on average when crossing at 90 degrees. I assume this would be double for heavy winds around 30 mph.

  Regarding length - this should not be such a problem as we should be aiming to roll past the hole - but the difference between the longest and shortest putts was more than 1 full putting grid square. So we need to be mindful of this when working out the required power, a strong tail wind is already going to be rolling long, but a strong headwind is likely to pull up a bit short, and I am sure this is going to be amplified for downhill and uphill putts.

  It is not a big impact - but then again it does not need to be in order to miss the hole.

  As you say - more of a feeling. Not a formula, but just a shave of correction after you have worked out the other stuff maybe.