Ode to Red Snowballs in Moscow

I know! Writing about "nasty" golf weather in California seems a bit silly-serious, since the greatest weather challenge we have is the fact that we can play all year long and often, in gorgeous climate. After all, unlike Napoleon, we hardly have to endure the extremes of the Russian Winter. Understandably, we get spoiled and habitually less eager to play in the “nasty stuff.”

Here is a tip for California golfers: learn to love playing in lousy weather conditions. If and when you do, you'll enjoy your rounds more, focus better in competitions and you'll shave several strokes off your score against competitors that spend most of their time grumbling and whining. While you quietly prepare for the next shot, they'll be rushing every aspect of their game in order to just get through it.

I once had a student, a young and talented golfer, who quite unabashedly announced that he "hated" to play in the wind! And, he meant what he said. Every round he played in the wind was accompanied by complaints and grumbling. Needless to say, his scoring average was very inconsistent and his competitive career didn't last very long. And, his home course was usually very windy!

I suspect that this student wasn’t really exceptional in his dislike of being uncomfortable in uncontrollable conditions. Most of us would rather not play in lousy conditions. If it seems that the more irritating the conditions, the worse we play, then learn to minimize the distractions and you’ll improve your game.

There are several easy ways for this to be accomplished. The basic value of a pre-shot routine is to eliminate the distractions of your own thinking, other players or environmental conditions, like weather. Purposeful practice sessions during foul weather can build confidence, making your next on-course choices easier to trust, allowing you to more easily focus on your targets.

It seems rational to most players that since you can't change the weather, the best you can do is to complain about it or at the very least, put up with it. Although complaining will certainly amplify your excuse about playing poorly, it won't make you a better player. "Putting up with it” will only make you a prisoner of the weather by demanding too much mental and emotional energy. So, what are your options?

When there is a condition on the golf course that you are powerless to change, you have two basic choices; fight it or accept it! The harder you fight it (complain), the worse it gets and the higher your scores. Learn to accept the conditions just the way they are and you'll make clearer decisions and more competent shots, improving your score.

Here is the learning practicum: Next time it is raining, go to the driving range and put in a good hour of practice. Focus on your shots, not the rain. When it is blowing bitter cold, purchase foul weather gloves, use hand warmers, change to cold-weather balls and practice your wind shots. Then, go out and enjoy a round in the rain or cold. I have friends who play softball in the snowparks of Moscow, Russia in the dead of winter. They just paint the balls red. They have a blast! So, could you!