You’ve got a game of golf planned – but when you look outside to check the weather, you’re dismayed to find dark skies and rain instead of the bright, sunny weather you were hoping for. But before you decide to throw in the towel and spend the day watching movies, read these tips to make playing in the rain not only achievable but even enjoyable.
Pros of playing in the rain
The course will be clear
The biggest advantage of playing in inclement weather, is that most other people won’t do it. This means that you’ll have the course almost to yourself and will be able to get through your round much quicker. The fair-weather golfers will stay away in droves when a little rain threatens, so make the most of the near-empty course.
It’s cooler
Rain cools the air down, meaning you won’t sweat as much, and you’ll be able to grip your clubs better. Particularly in summer, cooler conditions should always be welcome.
Balls stop on the green
Soggy conditions cause the ball to stop when it lands, meaning you can hit more aggressive approaches, and take dead aim on your shots.
It will improve your game
Playing in the rain is a skill and one that’s useful to have, especially if you play in tournaments. It can help develop your ball striking and your mental game, and you’ll learn to adapt and focus.
You can play golf more often
If you’ll only play golf on days with ideal weather conditions, you’re limiting the number of times you can play. If you don’t mind playing in the rain, every day can be a golf day!
Cons of playing in the rain
You get wet
Not to state the obvious but playing in the rain means everything gets wet – your feet, your clothes, your clubs, your gear. Plus, it’s a nuisance trying to carry all your extra gear around and juggle your umbrella, golf bag, towel etc.
It’s harder to play in rain gear
You won’t be able to play quite as effectively wearing rain gear as you would in short sleeves, as the layers of jackets etc can feel a bit restrictive and slow you down.
The conditions change
Rain causes the consistency of the ground to change:
- On the fairway, the ball sticks in the ground more
- In the rough, the ground becomes more “grabby”
- In the sand, which gets more compacted in the rain, it’s harder to slide your club under the ball
- On the greens, the ball tends to stop where it lands and not roll as far
However, with a little preparation and an adjustment in attitude, the pros can outweigh the cons of playing in the rain. Try the following tips to help.
Tips to help you play in the rain
Pack appropriate rain gear
A waterproof jacket, pants, footwear and rain gloves will give you the best chance of playing well in the rain and staying warm. Wear a hat to keep the rain out of your eyes and keep your head protected.
If your hands are wet and slippery it will be impossible to hit a decent shot, so make sure you have a dry towel and a good quality, strong umbrella that can withstand strong gusts of wind. Hang your towel on the inside of your umbrella to keep as dry as possible.
To see Parmaker’s range of umbrella holders for walkers/ride on golf buggies, click here:
Protect your clubs
Invest in one of the many readily available rain hoods for your golf bag, which will provide rain protection for your clubs. Make sure you wipe down the grip and the shaft of your club after every shot, to help your clubs stay as dry as possible.
Click here to read about how to organise your golf bag.
Allow for changes in the conditions
Because the ball will not run as far on the wet ground, you can take more club on holes when you might normally hold back. Chips and pitches are likely to grab, and approach shots to stop dead on landing, so factor these changes into the way you play. In the rough, wet grass will grab the club and slow its’ speed, so keep everything a bit firmer than usual when hitting out of the rough. Create some “dig” in the bunkers by closing the face a little and slowing the tempo down, as shots out of wet sand tend to fly further than normal.
Click here for tips to improve your long game.
Write down your scores every few holes
Writing down your scores every few holes rather than after every hole will help the scorecard from turning into a pulpy and unreadable mess. It’s probably a good idea to pack a spare scorecard too, in case the original is not salvageable.
Bring extra towels and clothes
One towel is never going to be enough on a rainy day, so pack a few extras – in plastic bags to keep them dry if necessary. Extra gloves also won’t go astray. A dry pair of socks and pants will be useful for when you want to relax at the 19thhole – without feeling like a drowned rat.
Hit your putts harder
When it’s raining, the dimples on your ball will fill up with water, and this will prevent you from making clean contact with the ball, which will tend to slip on impact. To keep your ball dry for as long as possible, try lining up your putt using your marker rather than the ball. Only put the ball down when you are completely ready to putt. As well, the ball won’t run as far when the ground is wet and is more likely to stop dead on landing. You’ll need to hit your putts more firmly than usual as they will be slower, and remember the ball won’t curve as much.
Grip the club lower
Wet ground will naturally cause you to sink into it, so you’ll need to grip the club lower than you usually do to counter this effect. Usually a quarter to a half of an inch is enough.
Click here to find out how to get more distance off the tee.
Take your time and stay patient
Don’t let the conditions rush you into playing shots before you’re ready. Always take as much time as you need (and you’ll have plenty of time available because the course is likely to be almost empty) and stay patient.
When you should never play in the rain
There’s only one circumstance when you should never play golf in the rain – and that’s when there’s lightning around. Your metallic golf club, along with the fact that you’re likely to be the highest point on the open ground of a golf course, can make a lightning strike a distinct possibility. So don’t try and play on through a lightning storm – put your club away and take cover.
If you focus on the positives and come adequately prepared, you too can learn to love playing in the rain, and see it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
