How to golf better when it’s windy, cold or rainy

( WKBN ) – Picture this: You line up to hit a golf shot on your favorite hole, and you have the perfect club for the drive. You’re just about to swing, but then a 20 mph wind blows into your face and you start questioning your club choice.

If you play golf, it’s likely you’ve experienced this scenario many times. But while you can’t control the weather, you can at least try to negate the effects it might have on your shot.

“If it’ i’s wind you are talking about, then it can be a club or two difference into a hole,” according to PGA professional Brian Tolnar.

Tolnar recently spoke with Nexstar’s WKBN about the ways weather can impact your game — and how to work around it.

First, there are a few things to know about golfing in windy weather.

Generally speaking, a headwind (wind in your face) is going to make a golf ball fly higher and shorter than normal. There is no perfect formula when it comes to predicting the outcome of a golf shot into the wind, but here is a helpful formula from Andrew Rice , a top-50 golf instructor in the U.S.

During a headwind, golfers should plan their drives as if the shot were a greater distance, Rice explains. For instance, when faced with a 5 mph headwind, players should add 5% of the total distance of the shot, plus an additional five yards.

For greater headwinds, add more yards.

• 5 mph = add 5% of the total distance + 5 yards
• 10 mph = add 10% of the total distance + 5 yards
• 15 mph = add 15% of the total distance + 5 yards
• 20 mph = add 20% of the total distance + 5 yards

These numbers are a good rule of thumb for the average golfer playing in the wind. For example, if there is a 10 mph headwind on a 150-yard shot, you would calculate the following:

• 150 yards X .10 = 15 yards
• 15 yards + 5 yards = 20 yards extra distance
• The shot would play 170 yards instead of 150 yards due to the wind.

A tailwind is going to cause the golf ball to fly farther, but not as much as you would expect. Here is the same formula but for golfing with a tailwind.

• 5 mph = subtract 2% of the total distance
• 10 mph = subtract 3% of the total distance
• 15 mph = subtract 5% of the total distance
• 20 mph = subtract 7% of the total distance

If going by the above formula, a 10 mph tailwind on the same 150-yard shot would actually play at around 145 yards.

The wind has a big impact on the golf ball, but temperature can have just as large of an impact as well.

“If it is a warm day, then the ball is going to have the tendency of flying very far. Similar to wet conditions. As it gets colder, the golf ball will travel a little bit less, so maybe a club shorter” Tolnar said.

The cold temperatures can also impact your swing speed. If you are wearing extra layers, then you probably aren’t swinging the club as fast, which will lead to shorter shots.

Most people do not want to play golf in poor weather conditions, but sometimes its unavoidable. Luckily, Tolnar has some tips and tricks that you can use to play golf in the rain.

“Number one, you want to slow down everything. When golfers start to get wet, they start to get in a hurry. Make sure that you are calm, you are slower, and you are not in a rush” Tolnar said.

The best way to brave harsh conditions on the course is to come prepared with the proper materials.

“Make sure that you have an umbrella, one dry glove, and one dry towel, Tolnar said.

Tolnar, who has been golfing for a long time, has his own preferred way to stay dry in the rain. The image below shows how he keeps his towel and glove dry by using the spokes of an umbrella, by hanging them underneath the umbrella’s canopy.

Hopefully, your golf outings will see nothing but sunny skies and warm temperatures. But if bad weather strikes, you can at least try to use Rice and Tolnar’s tips for a few good shots.

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