Practicing in the Wind

[atlanta golfer]

Went to the range today and a stiff left to right breeze was blowing. I told myself, just swing easy and hit the ball straight or slight draw into the wind. Well, before I knew it I began to swing outside in to try and drive the ball into the wind. You know the rest, the big fades and left pulls started, especially with the longer clubs.

 

Finally after 60-90 minutes or so, the wind died down in the evening, and my ball flight returned to normal. Easier, looser swing, not trying to correct for the wind.

 

Does anyone else have this issue with wind during practice sessions?

 

I keep telling myself under these circumstances, just work on the short game......Easier said than done!

[spinningwedge]

Yes across winds are the worst when practicing. Downwind won't teach you anything at all- into the wind is the way to go.

Obviously, it's not like you can choose at most places.

[AcesAZ]

Yep into the wind or it's going to be tough. It's hard to tell sometimes if the ball was straight, how much the ball actually move by the wind, etc. Left to right I think is the toughest. I hate seeing that kind of ballflight.

[mat562]

Into the wind is best. It magnifies any mistakes.

 

I think practicing in a left-to-right crosswind is terrible - it destroys my swing when I've done it in the past.

[g8a_golf]

at both of the ranges i go to, i am ALWAYS into the wind. if you mishit a shot, the wind will definitley magnify your mistakes which in turn makes practice worthwhile.

[floyd]

I like to practice when it is windy, especially cross winds, I like to try to hold a shot in the cross wind, ride the wind then try to hit low cuts, low hooks, punches, I know everyone is different but it helps my concentration therefore I am not just hitting balls like a robot.

[golfer.61]

into or a right to left wind if you are a right handed...always...

[mfo]

Hogan said never practice with a left to right wind if you are right handed.

[Baller]

I was always told to practice into the wind and swing easier. If there is a cross wind, practice a shot into the wind to straighten out the ball flight. Hit low punches draw or fade depending on the wind direction. Practice hitting different clubs into the wind ( punches draw/fades) 5, 4, 3 irons say 150. Swing with slower tempo to keep the ball from balloning or spinning too much. Never a full shot.

[webmstrk9]

practicing in the wind, not into the wind but in windy conditions is good, in different variables of course, left to right, right to left, down wind, head wind. All will give you different flight characterristics. Something us amateurs forget with a downwind, yes it helps with distance but you lose control of the ball, the tail wind negates any side spin you put on the ball. For instance, if you want to play a draw into the green but have a tail wind, expect the ball to go straight and be on the left side of the green for a long par putt. :rolleyes:

 

Take advantage of the practice but dont engrain any swing thoughts with it though.