| Following on from my previous article 'Golfing in | | | | waterproof gear and this may hamper your |
| the Rain - 10 Tips to Get You Better Prepared | | | | swing, so think about reducing to a 3/4 swing - |
| Than Your Competition and Make You Smile', this | | | | there's less to go wrong and you won't feel so |
| article moves past the preparation stage and into | | | | restricted as you might with a full swing. |
| playing the round itself. You have to think about | | | | * Don't make the mistake of trying to |
| how you are going to play, when golfing in the | | | | compensate for the lack of run of the ball on the |
| rain and be mindful of special water-related rules, | | | | fairways in the wet conditions, by trying to hit the |
| which you can legitimately use to your advantage. | | | | ball harder than normal as this will very likely end |
| It's easy to let the bad weather drag you down | | | | up with some wild shots because of the extra |
| and ruin your score, to get cold and stiff and | | | | bulk of the clothes and the slipperiness of the club |
| want nothing more than to return to the warmth | | | | grips. Instead, take an extra club and try to keep |
| of the clubhouse. However, it's good to keep in | | | | your swing as smooth as possible. |
| mind that you came to the golf course to enjoy | | | | * Remember on the greens that you will have to |
| yourself (despite the weather) and this is your | | | | hit your putts more firmly to drive through the |
| chosen hobby - it's not some chore that your | | | | moisture. |
| boss is forcing you to do. Therefore, when golfing | | | | * Remember also that there are special rules |
| in the rain, think about the following tips, keep | | | | surrounding what is deemed 'casual water' on the |
| your game under control and enjoy the day... | | | | course. On the greens, if casual water is between |
| * Firstly, think positively about why you are | | | | your ball and the hole, then you can move the ball |
| playing and the fact that you love golf and this will | | | | (no nearer the hole) without penalty. Similarly, if |
| help to banish any negative thoughts about the | | | | your ball is lying in water in a bunker, you can |
| weather. Instead of feeling miserable because it's | | | | drop the ball without penalty (as long as you still |
| raining, see this as a challenge to produce the | | | | drop in the bunker). Also on the Fairway, if your |
| best golf you can. | | | | stance or where your ball is lying are affected by |
| * Keep yourself warm - do some quick exercises | | | | casual water, you can (with the agreement of |
| in between shots (ensuring you don't disturb your | | | | your playing partners) drop the ball without |
| playing partners!) and carry hand-warmers in your | | | | penalty no nearer the whole. Therefore don't just |
| golf bag to help keep your hands warm. | | | | hit the ball in despair if these circumstances apply |
| * Just because it's raining, don't rush your shots, | | | | to you, cursing your bad luck and potentially |
| so that you can hurry back to the clubhouse - | | | | ruining your score, but think whether you can |
| make sure that you still go through your normal | | | | legitimately apply these special rules. |
| pre-shot routine. Don't let your playing partners | | | | If you bear all of these tips in mind, not only will |
| influence you if they are choosing to rush their | | | | you still enjoy your round, but hopefully you will |
| shots. Why should they ruin your score? | | | | manage to keep your score intact when others |
| * You may feel bulky with your extra layers and | | | | around you have given up. |