THE PRACTICE RANGE: How to Play in Wet Conditions

We have had more than our fair share of rain this year and as a result, we often find ourselves playing golf on soggy courses. There are some compensations that must be made when playing in these conditions:

• When playing out of the fairway,never try to hit the ball hard. Instead, choak down on the club grip and pick the ball up off the turf. If you try to hit the ball too hard, your feet can slip causing you to hit the ball fat, which does your clothes no good at all.

• Pitching can be very difficult in these conditions, too. Instead of using the lob wedge or even the sand club, try the pitching wedge. You are less likely to stick the club in the ground.

• When playing bunker shots, use the lob wedge. It has less bounce, therefore it makes it easier to get the club under the ball.

• After a good rainfall, the sand becomes compacted. Take the club steeper on backswing and downswing, which will get the club under the ball instead of bouncing into the ball and blading it over the green.

• Lastly, play the course from the tees that allow you to hit the greens in regulations. In this year’s U.S.Open, the U.S.G.A. moved the tees up so the contestants could reach the greens with a reasonable club. If it is a good enough for the U.S.Open, it should be good enough for you!

Good Luck!