Are you a new golfer struggling to make the perfect shot? Then you know that wind can be a big impediment to your perfect putt or other strokes.
The wind’s direction and intensity can impact your golf ball’s flight path and speed. It can also cause it to move in unexpected directions. For example, a headwind can slow the ball down, causing it to fly lower, while a tailwind will speed the ball up and make it fly higher.
Keep reading to find out how wind affects your golf shot and how to deal with it, as noted by our Ontario golf training experts.
When golfing, you may have noticed how a gust of wind can affect your ball’s trajectory, speed, and distance. This is because it creates resistance and changes the lift force on the ball. This air resistance works as a force against the motion of the ball.
Wind can push against the ball as it flies through the air, slowing it down and changing its course. It can also create turbulence around the ball, making it challenging for the golfer to predict how it will behave while in flight.
Here, we discuss how wind affects your shot and how to stay calm and use this natural force to your advantage.
1. Headwinds
Here, the wind blows directly into the golfer’s face, opposing the forward motion of the ball. The air resistance will increase as the wind speed and ball surface area increase. The ball will therefore have to exert more effort to maintain its speed and direction. As a result, it will eventually slow down as it passes through the wind.
Additionally, the ball’s lift force – what causes it to fly through the air – can be impacted by a headwind. Air passing over the ball’s surface produces lift force. When the wind blows from the front of the ball, it eventually reduces lift force and causes it to travel at a lower speed.
The headwind acts as an opposing force to decrease the speed of the ball and make it travel lower. So, golfers need to adjust their club selection and aim accordingly to compensate for the wind’s effect on the ball. They should modify their technique in addition to changing their club selection. Changes in technique include:
2. Tailwind
A tailwind can speed your ball up and push it forward more than it would without the wind. This is because the wind is blowing in the same direction the ball is travelling, providing an additional boost to the latter’s speed. As a result of this increased velocity, the ball will fly higher and go further.
Additionally, a tailwind can alter the ball’s lift by increasing airflow over its surface, which may prolong the time the ball is in flight. However, a tailwind can also make the ball more difficult to control and more likely to hook or slice. You can control the effect of a tailwind by taking proper aim and selecting a custom club. Make sure to select a club that allows you to launch the ball higher to maximize the benefits of a tailwind. If you don’t, the ball will hit the ground too soon.
3. Crosswind
In terms of golf, a crosswind blows either left or right across the fairway when a golfer tries to hit the ball. It typically causes the ball to deviate from its intended path.
The impact of a crosswind on a golf shot will vary depending on these factors:
When there is a crosswind, the ball can typically curve or ‘slice’ (for right-handed golfers). This occurs as a result of the ball being pushed to the right by the wind as it travels through the air. A golfer may need to aim more to the left than usual or choose a club with less loft to make up for this force and reduce the amount of backspin on the ball.
When blowing from right to left, the crosswind can cause the ball to ‘hook’ (for left-handed golfers). In order to compensate for this crosswind, you can modify your aim or choice of club. You may need to aim more to the right than usual or choose a club with greater loft to make up for this by increasing the amount of backspin on the ball.
The overall impact of wind can make it more difficult for a golfer to hit the ball accurately. So, make sure you don’t let it surprise you. It is essential to be aware of the wind conditions throughout the round and make necessary adjustments to your aim, swing, and club selection. Do you have further questions regarding different golf shots, or want to learn how to estimate and use the force of the wind to your advantage? Visit Learn 2 Golf, one of the most popular golf training centres in Ontario.