| First of all�how does the average | | | | Side Winds: |
| amateur handle windy conditions? Most swing | | | | You have two options in this situation. You can |
| harder and faster, but unfortunately that is the | | | | play your natural ball flight and either ride or fight |
| last thing you should be doing. Harder and faster | | | | the wind or you can purposely curve the ball to |
| swings lead to more mistakes, which are then | | | | either go with the wind or go into it. There is no |
| compounded by the windy conditions. What you | | | | right or wrongs here so you must see what |
| think would work, is often the opposite of what | | | | works best for you. |
| actually does work! | | | | With the Wind: |
| The very first thing you should do when playing in | | | | In these situations you should use the wind and |
| the wind is to throw up grass to see which way | | | | get the ball up as soon as possible. If you |
| the wind is blowing where you are. Next, have a | | | | don�t hit your driver particularly high then |
| look at the trees around where your ball is going | | | | use a 3 or 5 wood instead. Let the loft of your |
| to be going to see what way the wind is blowing | | | | club get your ball up in the air but by all means |
| there. If there are no trees in that area, look at | | | | tee the ball higher. Lastly, have fun with these |
| the flag. Lastly use your ears to hear the wind | | | | shots and see how far you can hit it. |
| and this will help you to tell how strong it is. Once | | | | One last point. Remember everyone finds it more |
| you�ve assessed the situation you should | | | | difficult in the wind so don�t beat |
| then follow the pointers below. | | | | yourself up if a few shots, or even more than a |
| Into the Wind: | | | | few, go astray because the same thing is going |
| When playing into the wind you should take one, | | | | to happen to everyone else. Expect the scores to |
| two or even three clubs more than usual and | | | | be higher and go out on the day with a positive |
| swing normally. Also grip down on the grip so | | | | attitude. One of fun and experimentation. Good |
| your swing will be automatically shorter. Because | | | | luck! |
| the shorter your swing the lower the ball will go | | | | Nick Bayley is a professional golfer who has |
| (generally). | | | | discovered just one golf swing fault that could be |
| Plus to help you keep the ball lower you should | | | | stopping YOU from ball striking consistency and |
| play the ball further back in your stance. And over | | | | success. But luckily for you, now you can take a |
| all shots into a wind, widen your stance because | | | | simple 2 minute golf swing test to see if you |
| this helps to create better balance and it also | | | | have this swing fault or not. So don't delay! Go |
| lowers your center of gravity, which can only | | | | here to take The Golf Swing Test now. |
| help. | | | | |