Advice for playing in the rain

[Chris32]

I had my first round on saurday in the wet

i had played previously during the odd shower, but on the weekend it didn't stop all round

Obviously I had a pretty poor round, I could have packed it in, but kept at it and was one of only 4 to finish in the afternoon tee times

What are some tips when playing in the rain, I just tried to play like it wasn't wet but that didn't work, grips where soaked and my grip kept slipping

Any tips would be good, as this weekend isn't looking to much better,

I am going to buy one of those rain covers to try and keep my clubs as dry as possible, and also a towel to keep under there to wipe my hands and grips with

Chris

[amanda]

Chris - do you pull a buggy? The best thing that helps me out in the wet is an umbrella holder - keeps the clubs dry without juggling the umbrella, you can hang a towel in the spokes of the umbrella.

I always dry the grips as I pull clubs out of the bag & after use. I also swing a little slower and try and swing more smoothly.

[Chris32]

yeah, I use a pull along buggy

Might have to look into one of those

[3oneday]

First thing you should buy is a Scorecard Holder......

Brolly, hat that doesn't drip, spare towel, spare glove(s)

Spare most things.... and a quality Scorecard Holder

[amanda]

Chris - mine is like this one:

http://www.supergolfco.com.au/prod433.htm

[dc68]

Don't. unless you play in Melbourne and don't have a choice.

[andylo]

Chris, go easier from tee to green; Go harder on the green.

[AndyP]

I've had some very good results in the wet, and I've got no idea what I do differently.

[Flowergirl]

Grin and bear it Have a hip flask of brandy in case you get cold.

[Jarro]

i'll second the "don't bother " option

[Webster]

try to keep dry.

[BrisWesty]

First thing you should buy is a Scorecard Holder......

Brolly, hat that doesn't drip, spare towel, spare glove(s)

Spare most things.... and a quality Scorecard Holder

All of what 3oneday and amanda said,
I've actually used the dripping hat as a putting guide to see whether my head is over the ball. But by that stage, most everything else is dripping too.

[Fishman Dan]

Hide under Jarro's ego.

Keep a towel handy and dry. I usually put my umbrella over my clubs when i'm not holding it. It's not hard to keep grips dry - of course, you're weaing a jacket and a hat, so you shouldn't be getting too wet anyway.

Take off your glove except for the 10 seconds before and after your shot. Keep it deep in a dry pocket until needed. Possibly get 2 or 3, but i've never needed more than 1.

[Speirsy11]

The key to playing well in the rain is solid contact. Be very smooth in your transition and make sure you strike the ball first with a decending blow. Staying centered around your lower body helps too.

The advice everyone has given about keeping dry is bang on too, nothing worse than having wet gloves, hands and grips......

[Grunt]

I have probably had some of my best games in the rain so I guess it does not trouble me. I take a buggy in the rain and also like to have the umbrella holder (is real handy to keep the clubs etc. dry) I need it to rain more and that slows my swing down.

[Jono]

I like Jarro's option. We're not pros so why play soaking wet? I don't mind playing through a passing shower, but if it's set in, I'd rather be indoors and dry.

If it's a comp that is REALLY important (eg Ozgolf Champs ), you can use above strategies suggested by others to keep dry. Or you can accept you are going to get wet, and just make sure you have a good grip on the club with one of those wet weather grips that is designed to be played wet. Like this one. You can also use surgical gloves. I've tried this and it seems to work OK.

[Fishman Dan]

Jono - we're not pro's or doctors, so we generally get to play once a week, on a Saturday... so we play rain, hail or shine

[Moe Norman]

hanging the towel on the spokes of the umbrella is a must, only sure way to keep the bastard dry.

[AndyP]

Unless you have a stay-dri towel.

[goughy]

Don't gorget your casual water rules. Use them to your advantage. If you take your stance and water wells up around your feet you have the choice to move your ball to a spot where this doesn't happen. If your lie is good you might not take this action, but it can halp you out. same on the putting green.

[Courty]

Be careful Goughy. This rule only applies to the location of the ball. If the ball is high & dry & your feet are in casual water, you must play it as it lies. You can only take the drop if the ball is in an area where there is water.

[AndyP]

You sure about that, Courty?

25-1. Abnormal Ground Conditions
a. Interference
Interference by an abnormal ground condition occurs when a ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player’s ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an abnormal ground condition on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.
Note:The Committee may make a Local Rule denying the player relief from interference with his stance by an abnormal ground condition.

An abnormal ground condition includes casual water.

Maybe you have a bastard committee.

[Courty]

You sure about that, Courty?

25-1. Abnormal Ground Conditions
a. Interference
Interference by an abnormal ground condition occurs when a ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player’s ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an abnormal ground condition on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this Rule.
Note:The Committee may make a Local Rule denying the player relief from interference with his stance by an abnormal ground condition.

An abnormal ground condition includes casual water.

Maybe you have a bastard committee.

Ok. I'll concede that I never read the actual rule. That's interesting. I'll remember next time it rains up here.

[goughy]

Yupe, even if the ground looks dry but after you take your stance water wells up around your feet you can take relief.

[Fishman Dan]

I was told if you can bring water to the surface by standing on a patch of ground - casual water.