Don't Let Rainy, Wet Conditions Ruin Your Rounds

 

         The United States Presidents Cup team overcame sloppy conditions at Muirfield Village over the weekend to claim victory against the International Team, 18 1/2 to 15 1/2. Players from both teams were able to remain unaffected by the rain and take advantage of the soft conditions to make plenty of birdies on what is normally a very difficult golf course. Some players will likely forgo a round of golf at the first possibility of rain in the forecast. Other, more dedicated players would never let a little rain spoil the opportunity to go play.
 

For whatever reason, if you find yourself dealing with wet weather on the golf course you need to be aware of how it can affect your game, and the following advice will help:

 

• Grips. You obviously want to make every attempt to keep your grips dry when playing in the rain. But I’m more concerned about what type of grips you have on your clubs. Not all grips are created equal. Some grips will perform better than others if they get moisture on them. If you know that playing in the rain is something that may happen, make sure you have grips on your clubs that can withstand getting wet.

 

• Your swing. There is no need for your swing to change when playing in poor weather. I often hear from my players that they play better in the rain. One reason for this is that those same players are worried about the golf club slipping out of their hands. To prevent this they make easier swings and focus on a constant grip pressure throughout the swing, resulting in better golf shots. And don’t wait for the rain. If ball-striking is a problem for you, make easier swings and focus on constant grip pressure all the time.

 

• You’ll need more carry from the tee. The ball travels farther in the air than it does on the ground anyway, but this is especially true when the ground is soft from rain and the ball has no roll. Having a driver that has been fit to your swing to give you optimal launch conditions will be a big asset when the ball’s not rolling because the ground is soft. So make sure your driver is fit for you.