Driving with a Left to Right Wind

By January 9, 2019Tips & Tutorials
playing with a left to right wind

Right-handed golfers often have most trouble with the driver when there is wind blowing from right to left.  This means the wind is blowing against your back as you are about to tee off and if the wind is strong, it leads to anxiety on the tee.

This is compounded if there is trouble on the right side of the fairway, as this is where the wind will naturally take the ball when it is in the air.  Some beginner golfers slice the ball more than they hook it and this only adds to the problem.

However, rather than taking the driver from the bag as usual and aiming to the left in the hope you play your usual style of shot, why not try using a different club?

If you have the option, try using a higher lofted 3 wood.  Naturally, this would send the ball higher into the air and that’s the last thing you want when it is windy but try turning the club face in a little to the left at address.

Turning the club face slightly to the left will still leave enough loft to get the ball into the air but will not send the ball so high that the wind takes it away to the right. 

Other than a change of club and the small alteration with the face, there is no need to make any other major changes when playing a shot with the wind driving from left to right.  Keep everything else square in terms of alignment and do not be tempted to aim further to the left.

It can feel natural to aim to the left than straight towards the target when playing into a left to right wind but it will not help.  In fact, it can often assist in the exaggeration of the swing of the ball from right to left and that is the last thing you want to happen, especially if there is trouble down the right side of the fairway.

To assist in keeping the ball a little lower, you can tee the ball down a bit compared to how you would set-up for a normal drive.  Remember you are going to be using a 3-wood, not the driver.  Other than that, take your usual stance as you would when aiming directly at the target and make a normal swing.

As with anything in golf, practice is the key to mastering the shot.  If you find the wind is strong, head out and practice playing with the wind blowing from right to left using the tips above.