It is often said that there is no such thing as a bad day on the golf course, but if you find yourself playing 18 holes when the wind is howling you might be rethinking that sentiment. If you are familiar with the nuances of big island golf, you know that in Hawaii the wind will definitely blow. There are few things more frustrating for a golfer than to see a ball fly straight off the club— and then watch the wind take it far, far off course.

Waikoloa Village Golf Club in Waikoloa, HI, would like to give you some tips for improving your big island golf game and mastering the infamous Hawaiian winds:

• “Swing Easy When It’s Breezy”:  When the wind is raging and the frustration begins to mount, amateur golfers might find themselves facing the temptation to “muscle up” and hit the ball harder than normal. This is a common mistake that will do little to improve your score, since the harder you swing the more spin you will put on the ball. This will often result in a rather disheartening slice. You should focus instead on taking a nice, controlled swing that is about 80% of your maximum effort.

• Keep It Low: The best way to prevent the wind from affecting the flight of your ball is to keep the ball as near to the ground as possible. When lining up your shot, try moving your body weight a little more forward than usual. This will help you to hit down on the ball and keep it out of the air.

• Don’t Force It: As much as you may wish you could, you cannot control the wind. However, you can control the level of risk that you take with each shot. On a par five, for example, you do not have to try to reach the green in two strokes. On a windy day, it is perfectly acceptable to lay up a shot just short of the green. Play it safe!

Book your next round at Waikoloa Village Golf Club to work on putting these tips into practice! The club offers everything you need to make your next big island golf experience one to remember. Featuring an amazing view of the Kohala coastline and the famous Hawaiian volcanoes, the club offers affordable rates for tourists and locals alike.  

If you are visiting Waikoloa Village and do not have a set of clubs available don’t worry! Waikoloa Village Golf Club offers a full line of golf clubs and accessories for sale and rent. For more information call (808) 883-9621, or visit their website to reserve a tee time today.