Rain, Rain, Go Away!

The weather this spring has not exactly been ideal.  Rain has plagued the northeast throughout the months of April and May and has caused golfers to learn how to play in adverse conditions.If it does happen to rain on your parade, here are a few useful tips to play your best in poor weather:

1.  Come prepared!  If rain is in the forecast, make sure you are equipped with the right gear.  Items like a large golf umbrella, extra towels, rain gloves, a waterproof jacket, rain pants, and extra socks will ensure you are prepared for any rain storm that may pop up during your round.

2. Put a towel underneath the canopy of your umbrella.  This will ensure that you have a dry towel throughout your round.  Having a dry towel will allow you to wipe down your grips before each shot and help keep your hands dry.

3. If you do not have a rain cover for your golf bag, bring a small trash bag to put over your clubs so water does not seep in causing your grips to become saturated.

4. Hit one more club than you normally would.  So if you are at a yardage where you would normally hit a 7-iron, make sure you hit a 6-iron instead.  With rain pouring down from the sky and poor traction between the wet ground conditions and your golf shoes, it is more likely you will swing with far less intensity than you normally would.  It is better to take more club and swing with balance as a priority.

5. Wet greens typically mean slower greens.  Hit your putts with a bit more power than usual.  Remember that one of the keys to distance control on the putting green is the equation, "backstroke = follow-through."  Instead of jabbing at your putts to provide more power, take a longer backstroke and longer follow-through, while maintaining a smooth tempo throughout.

6. Lastly, invest in a pair of rain gloves!  Wet hands and grips will equate to disaster on the links.  Keeping your hands and grips dry during your round is a must, but when it rains it is nearly impossible to do so.  I suggest investing in a pair of rain gloves.  They are usually sold in packs of 2 gloves, one for the right hand and one for the left hand.  They are specially designed for rain and will allow you to hold on to the golf club in the worst of storms.

Unfortunately, it does rain on a golf course!  With these useful tips I have provided, you will best prepare yourself for a potential rain storm on the links.  With that said, whoever is doing the rain dance, please stop!  It is time for some sun at Timberlin!

Marc S. Bayram, PGA

Head Golf Professional

Timberlin Golf Club