Mastering Golfing in the Rain: Tips for All Skill Levels
One key to golfing in the rain is to embrace the wet conditions. You need to be mentally tough and prepared to play effectively in the rain. If you let the poor conditions affect your approach, it can make for a long round of golf. It’s important to be ready for poor weather conditions. Below are some tips for playing in the rain.
Importance of Adapting to Different Weather Conditions in Golf
Some golfers love to play in the rain. They know it presents a challenge that could affect the performance of other golfers who dislike playing in bad weather conditions. Golfers who welcome the wet weather might feel like they have a psychological advantage over other players who struggle with the rain. You’re generally supposed to play in the rain if there isn’t lightning and if it isn’t too heavy. Below are some tips for adjusting to the rain.
Towels: It’s important to make sure you keep your towels dry. Carry at least 3 towels and put them in a place that’s protected from moisture after you use them. You’ll need them to dry off your grips between shots. One of the keys to playing well in the rain is to make sure your grips aren’t wet when you go to hit your ball. You’ll also have to clean your golf ball carefully because it can get muddy. Sometimes, when it’s raining hard, golfers will play lift, clean, and place. That means they can clean their golf ball after every shot. That’s another reason to have multiple towels.
Take an Extra Club: Because the ball doesn’t roll as much, you’ll likely need to factor that into your yardages. The ball usually doesn’t travel as far in the rain.
Stay Dry: It’s imperative that you have the proper clothing and apparel to keep you from getting wet. If you get wet, it can get very uncomfortable, making it hard to focus on your game.
Putting: Water soaks into the green when it rains, which causes the ball to roll slower. You’ll have to adjust your pace on the putts.
Ball Flight: Try to hit the ball lower on long shots. If you hit the ball too high, it’ll often plug into the wet fairways. Hitting it lower allows you to maximize whatever rollout you can get.
Spikes: Wear shoes with rubber spikes. Keeping your lower body stable is important when the ground is soggy. Make sure you clean the bottom of your spikes while playing. Grass will get stuck between the spikes on the bottom of your shoes when it’s wet. You can use a golf tee to clear out the grass.
Warm Up in Your Rainsuit: Hit some golf balls at the range with your rain pants and a rain coat on. This gives you an idea of how it feels with your gear on. It also lets you know if you need to make adjustments with your gear.
Essential Rain Gear for Golfers
Check the weather before you head to the golf course. You won’t want to carry the extra gear it takes to get through a wet round if it’s going to be sunny. Below are some items you should have for a rainy day on the golf course.
Shoes: Your golf shoes should be waterproof, or at least water resistant. Waterproof shoes shield your feet completely from water in any conditions. Water resistant shoes protect you from moisture in light rain. Most golf shoes are water resistant. Some golfers have both types. Check the weather conditions before you tee off when you’re selecting your shoes.
Rain Gloves: Rain gloves are made of a water resistant, grippy material. They help stabilize your hands on the grip of a shaft in rainy weather. Golfers typically use one regular glove for their lead hand in dry conditions. When you wear rain gloves, you put them on both hands. A regular glove typically protects you from perspiration that develops in warm conditions. Regular gloves are thinner, and they allow you to feel the club better than rain gloves. If they get soaked, they're ineffective. Making sure your grip doesn’t slip during a swing is one of the most important keys to playing effectively in rainy weather.
Baselayers: If it’s cold and rainy, a comfortable, form-fitting pair of leggings and a long sleeve -shirt should keep you warm.
Water Resistant Pants: A comfortable pair of storm pants that protect you from the rain are a must for wet conditions.
Storm Jacket: Your storm jacket should be loose fitting, water resistant, and comfortable.
Umbrella: A golf umbrella should have a wide circle, be sturdy, and open and close easily. The umbrella should fit easily into the side of your golf bag, where there’s usually a slot for it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing in the Rain
If it’s sunny when you start playing a round of golf and then it starts raining, it can be a challenge to adjust to the new conditions. Golfers might have to switch from playing fast greens and fairways that roll out to slow greens and wet fairways. Below are some mistakes to avoid.
Over Gripping: Avoid grabbing the club too tightly. Because it’s wet outside, your tendency might be to try to grab the club with more pressure than usual. Doing this can make the muscles in your hand tense up and cause you to hit bad shots.
Swinging Too Hard: It’s better to swing easier in the rain and take an extra club if you need it. You’ll be able to control your club through the wet conditions.
Failing to Dry Your Grips Properly: Wet grips cause the club to slip around in your hand when you swing. It’s hard to hit a solid shot if the club isn’t stable.
Not Adjusting to the Greens: You must putt the ball harder and carry your chips further when it rains because the greens will soften and roll slower. This can be challenging if the weather changes abruptly during a round.
Waiting Too Long to Put on Your Rain Gear: Get your rain apparel on before it starts pouring.
Golfing in the rain doesn’t need to be drudgery. With the right clothes, equipment, and mindset, it’s possible to play well on a rainy day and enjoy yourself.
