We have touched on driving in different winds in recent articles. They have focused on headwind and backwind, which can both be tricky but arguably the most difficult wind for playing golf is the crosswind.
A crosswind is one which is blowing across the golf course, from right to left or vice-versa. Therefore, when you take your stance to play a drive or approach shot, the wind will either be blowing into your chest or back.
Playing into a crosswind is not as simple as a headwind or backwind and today we have some tips to help you negotiate this tricky weather condition.
Firstly, if you are a beginner or amateur player, it is best to avoid trying anything different when playing into a crosswind, however tempting it may be. Instead, play your natural shot and do not try and curve the ball in a way you know you struggle to achieve just to try and play with the wind. For example, if you are a right-handed player and you typically hit the ball left to right (fade), aim further to the left in a left to right wind.
If the wind is blowing from right to left, aim straight at your target and the two should cancel each other out. This is a simplistic way to approach the shot but can produce good results.
If you are playing a shot which will see the ball curve into the wind, try taking an extra club because the wind will increase the amount of backspin on the ball and it will not travel as far as it would in calm conditions. However, if your shot will be playing with the wind, it could travel further than expected so you are advised to play less club, especially as the ball usually bounces and rolls further when being aided by the breeze.
Finally, always think about the crosswind in terms of hazards. If there is a lake on the left side of the fairway and the wind is blowing from right to left, the ball could get pushed towards the hazard and that’s the last thing you want to happen.
To avoid this becoming a problem, you will need to aim as far away from the hazard as possible to make certain your ball does not end up in trouble. If the wind is blowing across the fairway, away from the hazard, play a more aggressive shot. Allow the ball to drift away from the hazard on the wind and safely onto the fairway or at worse, into the rough on the opposite side of the fairway.
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