Delo’s Divots: This time of year you are likely to encounter a
wet fairway or two during your winter golf. These conditions do
require a slightly different approach.
This time of year you are likely to encounter a wet fairway or two during your winter golf. These conditions do require a slightly different approach.
A wet ball and wet grass is going to cause a knuckle ball of sorts, and thus, the shot will have very little spin. We call those “flyers,” as they tend to fly farther with no spin. When this shot is hit from close to the green, it will not bite as well, so plan on a little bounce and roll.
Wet conditions also cause the ball to sit down in the turf more, and there is no room for error when that happens. When the ground is dry and firm, you can sometimes hit slightly behind the ball and the club will slide into the ball. When it is soft and wet, the club will dig and you will get a face full of mud. You must have good fundamentals and strike the ball first on the downswing and not try to lift the ball.
Remember, there is no shot in golf that you try to get under. If that thought is ever in your mind, it is wrong. Get it out.
Strike the ball on the downward arc and your face will stay clean. To prevent digging around the greens, don’t use a rounded club like a sand wedge. Use a flatter-soled club like pitching wedge or 9-iron.
