Playing in the wind.

Links players may be more familiar with the techniques required to score well in a breeze, but no matter where or when you play, you'll always need to make adjustments to your swing in the wind.

There are three key swing changes that will give you the best possible chance of hitting the ball solidly in the wind.

Change 1 Swing slower. Its tempting to try to hit harder into the wind. But the faster you swing, the more spin you apply to the ball.

This means that in the wind, the spin on the ball will lift it up. By slowing your swing down, and hitting the ball that touch softer, the lower spin rate will keep the ball down and give you a lower trajectory into the wind. Swinging slower also helps you keep your balance, which in turn means a more consistently solid contact.

Change 2 Club selection. Always take the wind into account - downwind take less club, into the wind take more.

Crosswinds are trickier, but the basic rule still applies - if the crosswind is slightly against, take more club and vice-versa. Its worth experimenting will more club and learning to hit three-quarter and half-shots, especially with the 6,7 and 8-irons.

Change 3 Set-up. Into the wind, tee the ball lower, play it back in your stance a couple of inches, grip down an inch or so, and make a three-quarter swing.

Downwind, tee the ball higher than normal, and move it forward an inch or so in your stance. For fairway shots, make the same ball position adjustments as from the tee.

Summary: when playing in the wind, swing slower, take more club, and adjust your set-up to keep the ball low.