| Rain doesn't stop some people from going out to | | | | crosswind, hit into it and let it carry the ball back. |
| play. Unless it's a full-blown gale, it shouldn't stop | | | | Ease up against a headwind, since a firm blow will |
| you either. You can play good golf in the rain and | | | | create more backspin. That creates more lift and |
| on a wet course if you know how what | | | | the ball balloon upwards and get knocked straight |
| adjustments to make. | | | | down. Ease up with a tailwind, too, and let the |
| Prepare well before you leave home. Take your | | | | wind do the work of pushing the ball along. |
| rain gear, top and pants, an umbrella, and two | | | | Around the green, clean contact is the key, too. |
| extra towels. One towel will be too wet by the | | | | Wet greens will grab a spinning ball harder, and |
| turn to be any good for drying off your hands. | | | | slow down a running ball. Be a little bolder than |
| You will use both the others, as well, to make | | | | you normally would be in chipping for the cup. |
| sure your hands and the grip on the club are | | | | Putting is actually easier on wet greens. The |
| absolutely dry before you swing at the ball. There | | | | greens will run slower than normal, which reduces |
| should be a rain cover in your golf bag to keep | | | | the effect of break. You'll have putts that are |
| your clubs dry, too. | | | | straighter, but which must be hit a little harder to |
| Dress warmly, but not that you wear so many | | | | get to the hole. |
| layers that you can't easily swing the club. Find a | | | | From time to time clean off the soles of your |
| way to keep your hands warm and dry, too. | | | | shoes with a little brush or a golf tee. Your cleats |
| Some heavy, waterproof gloves to wear | | | | can clog up in a hurry, and then you're playing golf |
| between shots fill that need. | | | | on wet ground with nothing your feet can grip |
| When it's raining, you'll have to change your | | | | with. |
| expectations. The air is colder, which means the | | | | Be familiar with rules about casual water both in |
| ball won't carry as far as on a warm summer | | | | the fairway and on the green. You can get relief |
| day. You might have to use one or maybe two | | | | if your ball, or your feet while addressing the ball, |
| clubs more. | | | | are in an abnormal accumulation of water that is |
| Soggy turf will grab the clubhead if you hit even a | | | | visible before or after taking your stance. |
| bit behind the ball, and grab the ball if you hit it | | | | Finally, it will be a good idea to have put an extra |
| thin. Only the best contact will do, so ease up a | | | | pair of shoes in socks stowed away in the car to |
| little on shots played off the ground to make sure | | | | put on when the round is over. After a wet day |
| your contact is pure. | | | | on the course, nothing feels better than warm, |
| There is likely to be wind, too. If there's a | | | | dry feet on the way home. |