I hate the wind.

[kiteman]

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1392469633' post='8673009']I just googled "wind speed map" and according to that the average wind speed here in central Illinois where I am is just as strong as most of Texas (except North Texas which does indeed appear to have strong average winds).

Also, not trying to pick on anyone but Duffer you mentioned you're from California and basically told the OP to toughen up and that you enjoy playing in the wind.
[/quote]

Yeah, problem is you can see on that map the N Texas/OK/NE area has some very dense windy areas, which means it's not just a 20mph wind going in ONE direction at all times, but constantly swirling around and competing with the other winds in the area etc. You can feel a downwind and watch your ball go right 50y when you hit it. My family lives in Houston and when I play with my dad down there he always complains about the wind, and I kid you not it's literally 75% less windy compared to the Northern parts of Texas. He rarely plays golf up north so doesn't really know why I chuckle at his complaints.

And ditto on CA--did you see yesterday when Bubba teed up on the 18th hole, the windometer said the wind was gusting .8 mph? That's .8, as in with a . in front of it, as in less than 1 mph.

[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1392476610' post='8673429']
Liking or not liking the wind is irrelevant. Same with water hazards, OBs, sand traps, narrow fairways, long rough, (OK, enough of that). Those are the conditions so deal with it. The only thing you have complete control over is your perceptions.
[/quote]

I don't really agree that it is irrelevant at all. I think that the PGA Tour tournaments are the default for how conditions are expected to be when one plays golf, hence why tournaments are scheduled in different states during different parts of the year, so that they can find the most ideal conditions for the players to play in.

Now occasionally the pros play in those awful conditions, but it's usually NOT what the Tour expected to happen when they scheduled the event there, and sometimes they make some pretty big changes to the rules for the players in those conditions...i.e. too windy they call it off for the day, or if it's wet they allow lift and place, etc.

Clearly those extreme conditions are not irrelevant if the best at this sport are allowed exceptions. I.E. you don't see me playing 8 holes today and then 40mph winds set in on hole 9, so I stop and start on 9 tomorrow morning and am allowed to count those 18 holes as a legitimate round. Or better yet I play until hole 12 and then decide the wind is too intense and I strike all strokes beginning hole 9 and start over at 9 tomorrow and just ignore that I played 9-12 twice. The USGA isn't going to buy that, but it happens at least once a year on the Tour where they get this kind of ruling.

All I'm saying is if the best don't have to play in it when conditions suck, then you can't say sucky conditions are irrelevant. And no it does not happen often, but that's because usually conditions in tournaments are perfect (.8mph wind? C'mon!).

[savoyspecial13]

[quote name='RRFireblade' timestamp='1392399408' post='8667943']
No question it makes the game tougher. It's rough over here because not only do you get strong winds but dramatic change in speed and direction, there's a lot of guessing game involved when it's like that.

The flip side is it will force you to develop a more rounded game or die, the former generally being a good thing, the later not so much.

So yea, practice really controlling your trajectory, something you can do at all times wind or not. Practice shaping shots and understanding proper percentages and fall out areas. Pay close attention to what I would call 'entry' points, the clock angle of entry the ball will take to targer when not flying on a straight line.

Lastly you have to be patient, positive and prepared to change your game plan on the fly. Some Par5s will be 3 or 4 shot holes, some Par4s might be 3 shots holes. Understand that, accept it and play accordingly.

There's no easy answer, it all takes work to overcome but then again golf isn't easy.
[/quote]
Agreed. I actually really like playing in the wind. It makes me think a little. Especially for money. Its only a few more calculations pre-shot, but its still just a shot.
Also, on the flip side of what was said, you have to consider some of the par 3's become short irons-wedges, some 4's coming back are reachable in 1 and par 5's become par 4's so I think that evens out the 5+ strokes the OP claims is losing from wind.