COMMUNITY: Playing into the wind

Editor's note: Steve Charters is in his 11th year as a pro at Twin Pines Golf Course. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Charters competed at Central College in Pella and has been a pro for 18 years in Dubuque and Cedar Rapids.

As you've already noticed, spring in Iowa brings with it the winds of change.Here are some tips to make playing into the wind a breeze.

• First and foremost, swing easier. The harder you try to hit the golf ball the more spin you'll put on it, which will allow the wind to have more influence on it.
• Secondly, take more club. Your 150-yard 7-iron won't go 150 into the wind, so club down to your 6 or 5.
• Thirdly, widening your stance will prevent the wind from blowing you off balance.
• Finally, shorten your backswing. The longer your backswing the more chance you have of over swinging, which can cause more miss-hits and balance issues. A shorter backswing equals more control.

Try these tips and become a solid ball striker despite the wind.