I never thought I would say this but there is one time I do not like to play golf – during windy conditions. I hit a fade with the driver and my game is best when being able to hit wedges very high and with spin. As any golfer knows, these two types of ball flight do not work well in the wind. If I ever “miss” my driver, into the wind, it turns into a 150 yard slice; sometimes out of bounds. Also, it is almost impossible to hit wedges the correct distance.
Yesterday, November 20th, I played my home course of Hasentree in very windy conditions. It was about 55 degrees and the winds were blowing at 20 to 25 miles per hour. No matter which hole I was on, it seemed as if the wind was in my face. I knew the day was going to be a difficult one when I took a triple bogey six on a par three that I normally par. My day of golf can be summed up in one hole – the ninth.
The ninth hole at Hasentree sets up very well for me because it is a downhill tee shot that does not have to be hit perfect. There is a bunker in the very middle of the fairway but anything a little left or a little right will be kicked off the bunker and into the fairway. This means it is nearly impossible to hit it into the bunker unless you hit it dead straight and 275 yards – no worries for me.
Yesterday, I hit a slight fade off the tee and had 110 yards left into the green. The ninth hole plays significantly downhill on the second shot. This 110 yard shot usually plays about 90 or 95 yards which is perfect for my 52 degree wedge. In fact, anything around 95 to 100 is go time for me with my wedge. Unfortunately, the wind was in my face and I was not comfortable with the shot. I thought it might be a good idea to club up to a pitching wedge but I hit the 52 degree wedge so much better on a consistent basis.
I went with the 52 degree wedge and it was a complete disaster. I hit the ball somewhat crisp but the wind caught it and send it flailing to the right. It was only like I hit a driver slice with a wedge. The ball ended up 15 yards short of the green. This means I hit a 100 yard shot only 65 yards. By the time I drove my golf cart to the ball I knew it just wasn’t my day. I hit a decent chip onto the green and two putted for bogey but I had had enough.
The next time it is below 60 degrees and windy I am going to take the day off from golf. It is not worth my time or energy to try and adjust my game for these types of conditions. my friends have told me that if I ever want to play St Andrews or Turnberry I need to learn to play in these conditions. No thank you my friend. I will be more than happy to slap it all over St Andrews or some of the other historic courses but I am not adjusting my game. I play about 100 rounds in normal North Carolina conditions so why adjust to hit the ball low when I can play high ball golf most of the year?
