How to Play Golf in the Rain

Knowing how to play golf in the rain stems from an elemental feeling of having fun. It is an all weather sport, and you must not let the rain deter you from enjoying a good round of golf.
If you're out playing golf with your buddies and it unexpectedly starts raining, knowing how to play golf in the rain can help you avert the long gloomy trip back home. Golf seems like a game that needs to be played with plenty of sunshine and good weatherly cheer around you, but don't worry if it starts pouring. You can find your way around this dilemma and get down to resuming your game, if you know how to prepare for playing golf in the rain beforehand.

Golf is pretty much an all weather sport, and if you are adequately prepared for it, nothing can stop you from completing your holes, not even the rain God. So buckle up and get ready for a quick run through some basic steps on playing golf in the rain.

Playing Golf Despite the Rain
The first thing that you need to do is carry the right equipment. As long as you always have this stuff around with you, nothing can disrupt your game. Carry it in your car, in case the need arises, as you never know when you may need them. It's not difficult to play golf in the rain, but you must make a decision depending upon the amount of rain you are facing. If it is an intense downpour you obviously cannot continue playing. But if it is a slight drizzle or a passing shower, you can still continue playing. Carry the following equipment with you, in case you intend to play golf in the rain at some point in time.
  • A waterproof suit or a rain coat that does not restrict movement.
  • A good pair of waterproof golf shoes.
  • A pair of waterproof gloves.
  • A few towels.
  • An umbrella.
  • A hat to keep your head dry.
  • A waterproof hood for your golf bag.
Keeping this equipment in stock with you, can always help you avoid stopping your game, due to some unexpected rain.

Playing Golf in the Rain
There are many more things that you need to keep in mind as well, as the conditions make it tougher to hit the right shots and to control your swings. The golf clubs tend to slip more often, you lose sight of the ball, or you simply just step in a pool of water. There are many things that can go wrong, but this is not something that you will do every time. So you may as well enjoy it.

The Grip
To prevent the clubs from slipping during your shots, grip it firmer and stronger than you normally would. This inadvertently means that your muscles tighten more, so it becomes difficult to get a freer golf swing. As a result your shots don't go as far as they normally would. Even the rain will prevent your shots from traveling very far, but this is a minor sacrifice that you can make. Just hold the club firmly to prevent it from flying out of your hand when you swing. Best advice is to use 2 or 3 clubs lower, than what you would normally use in order to achieve the same amount of distance.

The Trajectory
You need to get a higher trajectory when you are playing in the rain. This will help the ball travel further than what it normally would. You must also remember that on the wet ground the ball will not roll around as much as it will on the dry surface. As a result your aims need to be a little more accurate, and you must take into account the resistance on the ground.

The Green
When you are on the greens you can expect the rainy surface to help you out a little bit. There will be many puddles around the hole, and you must aim right at them because the ball will travel in a straight line. The greens become much slower as a result of the slush, so you can get a simple shot if the ball stops just before it reaches the hole. It is important for you to enjoy this moment and not get too grumpy about the whole situation.

The Hands
In a moment like this, keeping your hands dry is the most important thing. The minute you start losing your grip because of wet hands, the game will be beyond you. Carry extra pairs of gloves just in case, and don't hesitate to change them after a while. When you are not playing your shot, keep your hands in your pockets at all times. Make sure that your golf clubs don't get wet while they're in the bag, and cover up the bag adequately.

The game of golf is meant to be fun and enjoyable, and there's no point of playing golf in the rain, if you're going to be in a surly mood about it. Be patient and have fun while doing it, and make the most of it. Keep in mind that the game is not going to be the same, and that no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to hit all your shots correctly. If you feel that this is going to ruin your mood, just stop playing that instant.
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Last Updated: 9/19/2011
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