Park golf on a rainy day unfolds in an environment entirely different from usual. Wet grass, heavier air, and water-soaked ground affect distance and ball flight, as well as safety. Rather than straining to increase distance, preparing equipment suited to the conditions and adjusting swing and putting strategies is the key to protecting your score.
Oh Tae-heon, a park golf instructor who runs the YouTube channel "Park Golf Family," said, "On rainy days, the most important thing is to relax more than usual and stick to the fundamentals." He shared essential strategies for rainy conditions, from pre-round preparation to shot techniques and post-round club care.
① Before the Round: Slip Prevention and Equipment Preparation Come First
In rainy rounds, safety must be the top priority above all else. Because the grass is more slippery than usual, it is best to wear spiked shoes with cleats, and players should move more slowly than usual when heading to the teeing area or the ball to prevent slipping accidents.
Since grips can become slippery when wet, it is better to use synthetic leather gloves rather than natural leather. Given the possibility of gloves getting wet during play, it is also good to prepare a spare pair.
Before teeing off, it is also important to warm up with more stretching than usual to reduce muscle tension and lower the risk of injury.
② During the Round: Accuracy Over Power
When it rains, distance can decrease compared to usual due to air resistance and puddles. However, applying excessive force to make up for this can actually reduce the rate of clean contact, so swinging with the same rhythm as usual is effective. Instead, gripping the club slightly shorter than usual allows for a more stable swing.
If there is a puddle in front of the teeing area, positioning the ball in front of the left little toe to induce an upward strike helps secure ball flight. In doing so, the upper-body tilt created at address must be maintained; if the upper body lifts, a topped shot results, making it difficult to achieve the desired trajectory.
It is best to make the swing slightly smaller than usual and bring the impact slightly stronger. The larger you try to make the swing, the more your body tenses up, increasing the likelihood of reduced accuracy.
On summer grass soaked with rain, resistance increases, so for the second shot or approach, pressing down or digging into the ball is more advantageous than sweeping it. Positioning the ball in the center or slightly to the right of center allows the clubhead to descend more steeply during the downswing, creating stable contact.
Putting also requires a different approach than usual. Because the ball rolls slowly on wet greens, short putts of 5 meters or less should be calculated at about 50% more distance than usual. For example, if 4 meters remain to the hole, it is appropriate to stroke with the feeling of sending the ball about 6 meters. Since grass resistance is high, stroking with a bit more confidence rather than being overly cautious helps with score management.
③ After the Round: Club Care Is an Extension of the Game
After a rainy round ends, club care cannot be overlooked. Right after the round, it is best to remove moisture with an air gun and then carefully wipe the head, shaft, and grip with a dry towel.
After returning home, drying the club sufficiently for about a day in a well-ventilated shaded area with the headcover removed can prevent corrosion and equipment damage caused by moisture. Consistent care helps extend the equipment's lifespan and maintain stable performance.
