In reality... how much does wind really affect a shot?

Question

Do you really have to adjust your shot/stance to compensate for the wind? Or is wind too little to factor in?

Let say if you hit straight consistently without any wind... do you have to adjust your shot if theres gust?

Answer 1

In you face or from your back can mean the difference of a club length or two. Left to right can mean aiming off the fairway or green to land on either surface. If you play draws and fades, they won't react as well cutting back into the wind and will react too well going with the wind. Yeah, wind really does effect a shot. (quite a bit)

Answer 2

Wind has a huge effect on a shot and even putts if the wind is strong enough. Yes you have to compensate for the wind.

However, I'm not really at the level to execute consistently. All I do is club up or down and aim left or right a little more. Maybe try a knock-down shot. Nothing like hitting a fade or draw into the wind to hold a line.

Answer 3

You have a tiny little ball and a huge distance to go. So even though the effect of the wind is small, it acts for a long time while the ball is travelling, resulting in a major effect.

Essentially, the wind pushes the ball in the direction that the wind is going.

So if it's going straight towards you, you'll need extra power to achieve the same distance. If it's blowing directly from you to where you want to go, you'll need less power to achieve the same distance, or the ball will travel further for the same power. If the wind is blowing across the course, it will blow your ball off course, so you'll have to aim a little into the wind to cancel out the effect.

Answer 4

If the wind is constant and strong (over 10mph) then yes i would compensate for it if you consistently hit the ball well. Also the further out you are the more you have to compensate. I know from 200 out I've had to club down or up almost 2 clubs because the wind has been so strong.

Answer 5

You absolutely have to compensate for the wind. Last week I played when the wind was a steady 15-20 mph. with occasional 30 mph. gusts. When hitting into the wind, the distance of my shots were definitely shorter. When it was at my back, I drove a 320 yard par-4 that it normally takes 2 shots to reach. When it was a crosswind, I had to adjust my alignment.

Answer 6

I've played in winds that moved my shots at least 50 yards left to right and knocked my drives down by at least 100 yards. Wind is a very important factor. Even fairly light winds can move your ball significantly.

Answer 7

depends, if you like to get the ball high in the air, and do that consistently , then yes. the wind will take the ball. or just learn how to hit a low screamer that travels long. Put the ball back in your stance and swing slower...

Answer 8

its not a matter so much as how straight you hit it. its accuracy and height in the shot that are affected by wind. if you have a really high arching shot (such as myself) you do have to sdjust for crosswinds, especially because the wind is much stronger above trees.

Answer 9

Well the bullet travels so fast and is so tiny than it hits its target before you can even blink i would think wind has little factor in it. Unless your shooting arrows :)