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Hitting with a Tailwind or Headwind

Tailwind

When hitting a driver with a tailwind, you usually get more distance if you hit it right.

Tailwind will tend to push the ball down when it's in the air. So you are going to have to hit the shot that won't drop.

When you are hitting with a tailwind, you want to take a full swing and put more backspin. It's the opposite of playing with a headwind.

By putting more backspin, the ball will ride on the tailwind and travel further.

If you hit it easier in tailwind, the ball will tend to drop and doesn't fly as much.

So it's also a good idea to take 3 wood in a strong tailwind for your tee shot instead of hitting your driver. you will hit it just as far as your driver in that condition with more accuracy.

 

Iron Shots in a Tailwind

Justin Leonard said he won't hit the iron shots high in a tailwind.

I think he wants to minimize the effect from the wind. You get more distance in a tailwind, but it means it'll be harder to control distance into the green.

So by hitting low shots, you can control the distance better.

But in general, you should take following adjustments in a tailwind.

1) Use less club
2) Expect the ball to roll once it hits the green

Some teachers might tell you to change ball position or set up, but I prefer not to change set up because I want to keep it simple.

If you would like to try Justin's option (hitting low shots), use more club and swing easier to keep the ball flight low.

 

Headwind

When hitting against the wind, you should do the following.

1) Take 1 or 2 more clubs
2) Swing with less clubhead speed to reduce backspin

In a headwind, you don't want to put much backspin because if you do, the ball will go high up in the air and doesn't fly as much.

How to Read the Wind

When players read the wind, they just check the wind on the tee ground or check the flag stick. If they don't feel any wind or don't see the flag moving, you think there is no wind.

But if the green is surrounded by trees or something, you will misread the wind.

So to read the wind, check the top of trees.



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