My last 27 holes of golf were in very wet conditions. Because of this, I had go adjust many things about my game. This is not an unusual occurrence and is that happens several times throughout the year. Because of these changes (which I will outline below), my course management strategy needs tweaking and so does my swing plane. It all seems very complex, but in fact it really is not that difficult; it is all about adjusting the the playing conditions.

After soaking rain fell for 36 hours, my home course had many areas that would play as casual water. I have to stop here and add this picture:

The reason added this picture is because this is what I am writing by tonight. It adds a bit of joy of my day!

Back to my article. There was a fair bit of standing water and as such, made it difficult to take any type of divot because I would dig more than glide because the leading edge of my club would act like a shovel. Therefore, it was time to make a few changes. It usually takes a few holes to do adapt and this time was no different. Additionally, with the wet conditions I lost about 15 to 20 yards on average for my drives and 3 wood because there was zero roll. As a matter of fact the ball as bouncing backward when it hit the ground.

The wet conditions force two major changes in my game. The first was course management. I had to take an extra club or two on approach shots because I had to fly the ball the entire way to the pin. When the ball hit the green, it stopped within inches most of the time. Hence, I had to hit the ball farther than normal.

I had to take different aim points on some shots because the ball would not roll my following the contour of the fairways. By shifting my aim point, more hazards areas were bought into play. I generally can avoid them all when the course is dry, but not when it is wet. That is the nature of the not hitting the ball a long way and something I have accepted of the years. The course management changes are not as drastic as my swing plane changes; let me explain.

To play in wet conditions, I have to change where my club bottoms out on the ground. I try, as a rule, to take a 1 inch deep divot with my irons. Therefore, I have a more aggressive downswing than some of my other playing partners. Because of this, I flatten my swing out just a bit. Before you ask, choking up on the club a half an inch or so only results in my skulling the ball. Thus, I need to flatten out my swing a bit.

When I flatten out my swing, I need to change my ball position in my stance to adjust to the change of where my club contacts the ball at the bottom of my swing. It is not very scientific for sure, but a feel thing. So, it takes a couple of holes to make the full adjustment. And sometimes more than just a few holes.

Unfortunately, out golf course does not have a driving range or I would make the adjustments before hitting the links. Alas, that is not possible so I have to make the changes on the fly.

Overall, it really is not that difficult to adjust to wet conditions. It is a part of golf and something I come to accept from years of playing in wet weather. The course management strategy and swing plane are the two most dramatic changes that take a bit of time to make, but to play well in wet conditions, I definitely have to make them.

Do make any changes to adapt to wet conditions? If so, what?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!