Best Golf Ball In Windy Conditions
One of the best parts of playing golf is being outside in the fresh air and enjoying some pleasant surroundings. Unfortunately, this means you are susceptible to the vagaries of mother nature with wind and rain being particularly problematic for golfers. Let’s take a look at what effect the wind will have on your golf game and whether there are any golf balls that might be able to minimize the impact.
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Are Golf Balls Affected by Wind?
Golf balls are definitely affected by the wind. The wind will cause the ball to move in the air, making it more difficult to control both direction and distance. When you’re golfing on windy days you need to pick a golf ball to help you improve your chances of a good score. You can also adjust your golf swing to take account of the wind. Try to pick a ball that will go straight with your golf swing.
See below, Brian Harman switched back to the Pro V1 because he liked its performance on windy days.
What Golf Balls Are Best in the Wind?
Ideally, you need to find a golf ball that will cut through the wind and be stable in windy conditions.
Generally speaking, lower spinning balls will probably be your friend when the wind gets up. This is because a lower spinning ball is likely to fly on a lower trajectory and therefore be slightly less affected. If you also find a ball that is designed to fly lower then that should be a great combination to combat the worst effects of the wind conditions.
If you are a Titleist ball fan then you want to look for their balls that have a low spin rate. The Titleist Velocity golf ball is a good choice for windy conditions because it has a low spin rate and a soft feel. The TruFeel is another good choice for similar reasons. The Pro V1 and Pro V1x may not be the best option as they tend to produce the most spin since they are premium golf balls. The extra spin won’t help you when it’s blowing hard, especially into a headwind where you are likely to see the ball balloon and lose distance.
Best Golf Balls For Windy Conditions
The best golf balls for windy conditions are likely to be low spin balls and those designed for a lower ball flight. This will help reduce the effect that the wind can have on the ball. If you’re used to relying on plenty of spin to control your ball on the green then you’ll need to adjust your aim a little to allow for the ball to roll out more when using a low-spin golf ball.
Here are some balls that should help you keep your spin down on a windy day.
TOP PICK
Titleist Pro V1
The Titleist Pro V1 golf ball is the ultimate choice for serious golfers looking for unparalleled performance on the course. With its soft feel and exceptional distance, the Pro V1 will help you achieve your best game yet. Its advanced three-piece construction provides a perfect balance of distance and control, and its durable cover ensures that it will stand up to even the most demanding rounds. Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, the Titleist Pro V1 is the perfect ball for those who demand the best.
If you are looking at playing a premium tour golf ball on a windy day then the Titleist Pro V1 is a good choice. It’s designed to offer a mid-trajectory and mid-spin on long game shots so shouldn’t balloon up in the air.
You will still retain plenty of grip on your short game shots for greenside spin and control thanks to its urethane cover.
It’s always among the longest golf balls on the market in testing. Along with the Pro V1x this is one of the best golf balls from Titleist. You might want to play around with the Pro V1x left dash which is designed for even less long game spin although it is set up for a higher flight. If you can find the Pro V1 left dot then that is designed for lower spin and lower flight while retaining a similar feel to the Pro V1.
Another option to consider in the premium range is the TaylorMade TP5x which is highly regarded by many tour players who reckon it is stable in the wind.
If you are looking for a mid-range or value option then to be honest most of the balls in this category will already spin less than a tour-level ball, particularly with irons and around the green.
Something like the Bridgestone e12 Contact won’t break the bank and will be a solid ball on even the windiest of days. The unique dimple design means higher ball speeds and reduced horizontal spin during flight.
ALSO GREAT
Bridgestone e12 Contact
The TaylorMade TP5 golf ball is a premium quality ball designed for high performance on the golf course. This ball features a 5-layer construction which helps to maximize distance and control. The ball is also designed with a softer feel, making it easier to control around the greens. This golf ball is ideal for skilled golfers who are looking for a ball that can help them achieve greater distance, control, and accuracy on the course.
How To Play Golf In The Wind
No matter which golf ball you choose, to play good golf in the wind, you need to be aware of the wind’s strength and direction. This will affect your club selection and strategy. If the wind is blowing from left to right, it will push the ball over to the right and vice-versa. Into a headwind, you will need to take more club to counteract the wind. Downwind shots may get “knocked down” and come up short. You may also find they run out further on landing.
In robot testing, there is usually little difference between balls aiming for the same market segment in terms of launch angle and spin. While we aren’t as consistent as robots it’s probably true that playing well in the wind is down to making changes in your game rather than merely changing your ball. I can’t really think of a time when I’ve thought about changing my ball because it’s windy. I doubt many tour pros do either since their games are so dialed in with their choice of golf ball.
Here are suggestions on how to adjust your technique to cope in the wind.
How To Keep Your Golf Ball Low With Irons
When it’s breezy, swing it easy the old saying goes. There’s a lot of truth in it! A well-struck golf shot always seems to be less affected by the wind than a badly struck shot.
To get more ball speed it’s not only about club head speed you also need to consider the quality of strike. Often adding more speed merely adds more spin which causes the ball to go higher which is not what you want in a crosswind or headwind. By hitting the ball better and not harder you should see better results no matter what type of golf ball you use.
Trying to keep the ball down to avoid the wind might involve some (or all) of the following:
- play the ball back in your stance to launch the ball lower
- swing a little slower than normal
- take a less lofted club for the yardage
- make a three-quarter swing
How To Keep Your Golf Ball Low With Driver
If solid contact with your irons is important then it is doubly so with your driver since it is the most difficult club in your golf bag. Many find keeping their driver in play difficult even in calm conditions so a windy day can be a trial.
Many are guilty of teeing the ball too low which causes a descending blow and therefore more spin. This is not what you want when it is windy. Tee the ball high and try to swing within yourself in order to get a solid strike from the sweet spot. Having a high smash factor will give better results than swinging wildly to gain a few extra mph. Even in the wind, you can still hit the ball far with the correct equipment and technique.
A low spinning golf ball with a high launch is usually the recipe for maximum distance off the tee and even when it’s windy you still want to avoid adding extra spin.
How To Putt In Windy Conditions
In order to putt in windy conditions, you need to account for the strength and direction of the wind. Normally the ball will be unaffected on the green but if the wind gets strong enough then you will start to notice it has an effect on your putts.
You are more likely to notice this at exposed courses like links. Into the wind putts will need to be hit more firmly while downwind ones will roll out more and need a gentler strike. Putts in a crosswind might affect the amount of break you have to allow. For example, a putt that would normally be right edge might be outside the cup in a strong right-to-left wind.
Best Golf Ball In Windy Conditions: Conclusion
While its always tempting to look for a quick fix to sort out a golfing problem it sometimes requires hard work. Playing well in the wind is as much about the right technique as about the right equipment.
Find a ball that works best for you in normal conditions then learn how to control your trajectory and shape to counteract the wind on those days when you need to.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
Does Pro V1 Or Pro V1x Spin More?
With the current generations of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, the Pro V1x is designed to spin more with your longer clubs.
Obviously different people will have different swings and may get slightly different results but the Pro V1x is designed to have more spin and fly higher than the Pro V1.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual golfer to experiment with both types of balls to see which golf ball performs the best for them.
How Much Does 20 Mph Wind Affect Golf Ball?
20 mph wind can have a significant effect on a golf ball. The ball will travel shorter distances and it will be harder to control.
Most people work on every 10 mph being the equivalent of a club in terms of distance.
This means if you normally hit a 7-iron 150 yards then into a 20 mph headwind you would probably need a 5-iron.
How Much Wind Is Too Windy For Golf?
How much wind is too windy for golf? This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on the individual golfer’s skill level and comfort level.
Generally speaking, winds of 20-25 mph can make golf challenging, but playable.
Once winds reach 30 mph or higher, most golfers will have difficulty maintaining control of their shots.
In extremely windy conditions, it is often best to simply avoid playing altogether.
Some golf courses will close the course for health and safety reasons if the winds get too high. A tree-lined course might be worried about strong winds removing branches from old and diseased trees causing injury to golfers.
A links course would close once the wind started to cause the ball to oscillate on the greens.
