Tip #18: Playing in the Rain

I guess the worst weather conditions I've ever seen were during the AT&T Pebble beach Pro-Am many years ago. With three holes to go in the second round I was leading or within one of the lead in the tournament, and believe it or not, I missed the cut. Facing the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes at Cypress Point, and playing in a howling, soaking gale, I finished triple-bogey six, quintuple-bogey nine, double-bogey six.

Once you lose your grip you lose everything, so keep your hands in your pockets except to play.

That day, my only objective was to get to the clubhouse alive. In most rainy conditions, however, the aim is more simple -- keep yourself and your equipment as dry as possible. We professionals have an edge in this regard. With huge golf bags and caddies to carry them for us, we can load up with all sorts of apparel and equipment to shelter us from the wet stuff. On a rainy tournament day, I'll take an umbrella, a complete rainsuit, five or six towels, plus at least 10 gloves.

And on some days I've used all 10 of those gloves. Indeed if there's one part of your body to keep dry it's your hands. Once you lose your grip, you lose everything, so keep your hands in your pockets except to play. Also, be sure to keep the top of your golf bag covered so that rain doesn't drip down the shafts and get your grips wet. If all else fails you can improve your hold on the club by wrapping a handkerchief around the grip. (Yes, it's within the Rules.)

Since the club always slips in wet weather, your main swing key is to hold on tight. Other than that, be sure to give yourself good footing, particularly on the tee shot. Because of your tight grip, you'll have less of a free-flowing swing, so you can expect less distance on your drives. The same will be true on the second shots where the soggy turf swallows up your club and impedes solid impact. So allow yourself at least one club more on approaches.

One advantage of playing in wet weather is that the greens will be soft, so you'll be able to fire your shots right at the flag. And if the greens should begin to form puddles, you should hit your short irons and pitches right at the puddles that are close to the hole, because they'll stop the ball dead. You may then drop to the nearest spot that affords you a dry line to the cup. And be sure to give your putts an extra measure of firmness, because a wet green is always a slow one.

But the biggest factor to consider when the clouds roll in has nothing to do with your game. It has to do with your life. If you see lightning or hear a warning siren, head for the clubhouse right away. Too many golfers are killed by lightning every year, and a friendly round of golf isn't worth losing your life over.

- Greg Norman