Playing in bad weather is a challenge. Even players with low golf handicaps find it difficult to play in. Just ask those players who take my golf lessons. The weather affects everything from the way you swing to how you dress to whether or not youll take a cart or walk. It can be discouraging if you really enjoy playing golf.

No golf instruction session can insulate you from bad weather. But you can lessen its impact on your game if you follow these golf tips:

Playing in the rain

If you know its going to rain, warm up in your rain suit. Get a feel for what its like to hit in the suit. Rain suits are more flexible these days, but they can still be restrictive. Youll need to keep your hands and clubs dry. Pack extra towels and gloves. Your feet will sink into the wet ground in the rain, causing you to feel cramped at address. Choke up on the club a half inch or so. When hitting, think carry not distance. The rain reduces distance, especially off the tee, so the ball will travel less in the air. If you land in the rough, the wet grass will get between your clubface and the ball when you hit, producing less backspin, which means your ball will travel farther through the air and will roll farther when it lands. Consider that when selecting clubs. On the greens, wet grass is slower. Hit your putts harder and figure on less break than usual.

Playing in the wind

The key to playing in the wind is making solid contact, something we stress in my golf lessons. Tee your ball up a little lower to drive it through the wind and focus on making solid contact. On shots off the ground, move the ball back a little in your stance, which also encourages solid contact. Its easy to lose your balance in the wind. Widen your stance slightly for more stability. A wider stance shortens your turn, making it essential to keep good rhythm in your swing. Also, a headwind hurts distance more than a tailwind helps. Crosswinds accentuate the curve of your ball. The longer the shot, the more the crosswind moves the ball. Swing harder downwind; swing easier with more club into the wind. Remember all the principles of wind play apply to short and long shots. Wind even affects your putting. Plan for it.

Playing in the cold

Dont start a round feeling cold. Youll never be warm. Warm up before going out. Dress either at home or in the clubhouse. Wear long johns under your slacks and your rain pants on top of your slacks. On your upper body, wear a turtleneck and a sweater plus a wind shirt and/or a rain jacket, depending on the temperature and the wind chill factor. You can always take something off if you get too warm. A ski cap keeps your head warm. Youd be surprised how much heat is lost through your head. Do about 10 minutes of stretching before playing. Again, do whatever you have to, to keep your hands warm. If you have an option, walk the course. Itll keep you warm. Heres another tip from my golf lessons: The ball wont travel as far in the cold. In fact, you lose two yards for every 10-degree decrease in temperaturemore if the ball itself is cold. A cold ball feels hard around the green but performs the same.

Develop a game plan before leaving the house

Preparation is the key to beating bad weather. Check the forecast before you leave the house. Is it going to rain? In which direction is the wind blowing? Whats the temperature outside? If you know what to expect and you know the course, you can map out a game plan before leaving the house. Determine how to dress, what extra equipment to take, which clubs to leave home. Also, develop a game plan for playing the course. Nobody hits as many greens as usual in foul weather, as Ive mentioned in my golf tips, so youll need to get up and down to score well. Your short game will be of primary importance in bad weather. Work on it in practices sessions.

Dress appropriately

Dress appropriately before playing. If its supposed to rain put on your rain gear before leaving the house or clubhouse. Buy rain pants with pockets so you can keep your hands in them and keep them dry. You may also need long underwear, hand warmers, and a hat or a ski cap. Also, pack extra clothes. And make sure you have an umbrella. If you dont have rain pants with pockets, take ski mittens with you. Make sure theyre an extra size larger, so theyll fit over your golf gloves. Above all, keep your hands warm. Try to stay two steps ahead of the weather.

Playing in bad weather is no picnic. Keep the golf tips weve discussed in mind and, adjust accordingly, especially if the cold combines with the rain and/or the wind. If the weather is too bad to play or the course closes, work on your game indoors or review some of my golf tips and wait for a better day.