In a previous article we looked at the potential impact of a headwind when playing a tee shot. A headwind can cause difficulty in terms of lost distance and is perhaps the most unwelcome wind direction on the golf course.
However, the wind does not always have to be detrimental and cause problems when playing a tee shot. If you have a strong wind but it is a downwind, you can use it to your advantage. A downwind, also known as a tailwind, is one which is blowing from behind you and down the fairway, toward the green.
Every golfer likes to have the wind at their back when on the tee but what is the best way to take advantage of a strong downwind? Many players make the mistake of using their usual set-up and hoping the wind carries the ball a little further than usual. It might but there is a better way to approach the drive and get more out of the shot.
Try teeing the ball higher than normal. This will promote a higher launch angle and get the ball higher into the air and more likely to get pushed further down the fairway by the wind.
If you position the ball level with your front heel, this also helps in promoting a higher launch angle and should see your ball catching more of the wind than if it was travelling at a lower trajectory.
In most cases, swinging the club harder is not encouraged but when done in a controlled manner into a downwind, it can prove beneficial. Hitting the golf ball harder generates more spin on the ball and this will send it higher into the air. As we have already established, we want to get the ball higher and into the wind, so this makes sense.
However, do not go all out to try and blast the ball has hard as you can as this will result in a loss of control. You still want the ball to be on target so try adding a little more power to your swing but do not go overboard. Any extra distance gained will be meaningless if you are in the rough or a hazard.
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