I have been playing golf this winter under some very wet conditions. This winter has seen more rain than any other winter since 1998, when I first moved here. It has forced me to take to the fairways in very poor conditions or even not play at all.
Because I’ve had to deal with wet conditions so many times, I learned some amazing tips that help me get pure iron shots every time. Soggy conditions can make iron shots difficult because of how the soil prevents compression. The golf ball is usually squeezed against the ground by the downward swing of the iron. This causes the ball to start spinning backwards before it explodes off the clubface.
There is less compaction in moist soil. Also, with more water in the grooves the spin will be less than when it is dry. It is likely that you will notice a decrease in control and distance. To consistently hit the ball as cleanly and accurately as possible, you might have to adjust your technique.
These five tips will help you hit more accurate iron shots.
Pure Iron Shots Under Wet Conditions
- Use a fairway bunker stance. Just like in a fairway bunker, you want to grab the ball from the ground.
- Choke down. The surface of the turf will feel soft and your feet will soon sink into it. You can avoid getting shot fat by not choking.
- Standing tall is the best way to keep your shot fat away. Stand taller and move closer to encourage a vertical swing path.
- Move the club. Ground your club not as you would normally. Keep it at the top of your ground. You will avoid the so-called fat shot. Soft turf makes a fat shot even worse.
- The ball should be hit on the back. The ball must be in contact first. With these conditions, the margin of error is smaller than usual. After making contact with the ball’s back, aim for a spot about an inch from the ball.
If you follow these steps, your irons will always make contact when it is soggy and wet.
This is because the shots you take will be much shorter under these conditions than they are in normal. It is easier to get less roll from wet balls. It’s not a problem. You can simply take the club necessary to compensate for lost distance. Maybe one or two more will suffice.
Don’t forget about the casual water rules. This free drop could save you more than one stroke.