One of the most challenging aspects of golf is that it is played outside, in the elements. And the most challenging of all elements is the wind. And perhaps the most difficult wind shot for the average golfer to execute is when he is heading directly into a strong wind. But if we simply work through a few key points, we can learn to manage this difficult shot and improve our scores.

The main thing that we are trying to do is to keep the ball as low to the ground as possible. If our ball flight get too high into the air, the wind will knock it down and move it off line. We will lose our ability to control the ball and the shot.

The first thing that we need to do is to make sure we take an extra club or two to reduce the amount of loft we use for the shot. If we are a player who hits his 7 iron 150 yards, we may need to hit a 6 iron or a 5 iron to cover that same distance when we are into a stiff breeze. Sometimes, if it is an exceptionally strong wind, we might even need a 4 iron or 3 iron. That’s ok. Don’t let you ego destroy your shot. The scorecard doesn’t have a box to write what club you hit. So be sure to take whatever club it takes to obtain the desired results.

The next element is where most average golfers go wrong when hitting into the wind. It is a natural tendency to want to try to swing harder when hitting into a strong breeze, but the reality is that we need to do the opposite. We need to slow down our swing speed which will enable us to keep the ball lower to the ground and minimize the wind’s effect on the shot.

The final two keys we need to execute to keep the ball lower is to move the ball back a few inches in our stance and feel as though our hands are well ahead of the ball at impact. Both these procedures are designed to reduce the amount of loft that is put on the ball at impact and keep the ball low and under the wind.

So don’t be intimidated by the golf shot into a strong wind. Simply work through the process and stay positive. It’s also important to mentally view these shots a challenging and exciting rather than feeling like the golf gods are not with you and this shot is too difficult for you to execute.

Remember, take more club, slow down your swing, move the ball back in your stance, keep your hands ahead at impact and most importantly, THINK POSITIVLY. These keys will keep your ball low and improve your score. Now go out and beat that wind.

Remember

If you control the clubface, then you control the ball

Dave Wesley

http://www.clubfacegolf.com