Golf in the Texas Hill Country can be as much about handling the elements as it is about dialing in your swing—and nothing tests your game like a windy day. At Legends Golf Course in Kingsland, TX, the breeze often rolls across the fairways and over the ridges, making club selection, trajectory, and mindset absolutely crucial.
Playing in the wind doesn’t mean you have to settle for bogeys. It means adjusting, thinking, and swinging with purpose. Here’s your complete guide to playing better, smarter golf when the Texas wind picks up.
Club Selection: Play Smart from the Start
One of the biggest mistakes amateur golfers make in the wind is not adjusting their club selection. The wind affects how far the ball travels—and by how much depends on wind strength and direction.
- Into the wind? Take more club.
If you’ve got a 150-yard shot with a solid headwind, don’t be afraid to hit a 6-iron instead of an 8. A smooth swing with a stronger club will keep the ball lower and reduce spin (which means less wind resistance). - Downwind? Take less club.
That same 150-yard shot with the wind at your back might only need a 9-iron. Let the wind help you—but don’t overswing trying to ride it. That just adds spin and can balloon your shot. - Swing smooth, not hard.
This can’t be overstated. Swinging harder in the wind just adds spin and lifts the ball into the breeze. A smooth, controlled tempo produces a lower, more penetrating ball flight and helps keep you accurate.
Ball Flight Control: Trajectory Is Everything
Getting the ball flight right is key to managing Texas wind. High shots get punished. Low, piercing shots stay on line.
- Play the ball slightly back in your stance.
This helps you compress the ball and hit it lower. A slight tweak—just an inch or two—can make a big difference. - Hit knockdown shots.
Take more club and use a shorter backswing with limited follow-through. This keeps the ball flight low and controllable, even in gusts. - Use less loft to reduce spin.
Less loft means less backspin, and less backspin means less lift—which is exactly what you want in the wind. If you're between clubs, go with the longer one and swing easy.
Course Management: Think Before You Swing
The wind is a part of your course now, just like the bunkers and the rough. So treat it like any other hazard—adjust your strategy.
- Play for the wind.
If there's a left-to-right crosswind, aim farther left. Let the wind move the ball toward your target. Don’t try to fight it—play with it. - Don’t chase distance.
Trying to hammer driver into the wind usually backfires. Use clubs that keep the ball in play and avoid trouble. Focus on positioning instead of power. - Watch natural wind indicators.
Look at tree branches, flagsticks, and even your shirt or hat. These subtle clues will tell you a lot more about what the wind is doing than just standing on the tee.
For more course-specific tips, check out our Hole-by-Hole Breakdown of Legends, where we give detailed advice on how to approach each shot—even on a windy day.
Around the Green: Keep It Low and Simple
The short game might be the most affected part of your game when it’s blowing. Wind can wreak havoc on high-lofted shots and test your touch.
- Putt from off the green.
If you’ve got tight lies or fringe between you and the hole, don’t be afraid to grab the flat stick. It takes the wind out of the equation. - Use bump-and-run instead of flop shots.
Wind and wedge shots don’t mix well. Keep the ball low to the ground by using a 7- or 8-iron and letting it run out. - Simplify everything.
The fewer moving parts in your short game on a windy day, the better. Trust basic techniques that keep the ball under control.
Mental Game: Confidence Over Chaos
The wind can wear you down. Missed greens, misjudged distances, and swirling gusts all challenge your patience. That’s why your mental game matters more than ever.
- Stay patient.
You might not hit every green in regulation, and you might not shoot your lowest score—but that’s okay. Play smart and trust the plan. - Don’t force hero shots.
Know when to take your medicine. That 210-yard approach into a headwind and over water might call for a layup instead of a 3-wood. - Stick to your routine.
Consistency breeds confidence. On windy days, your routine anchors you and helps eliminate doubt.
Bonus Tip: Speed Up and Play Better with a Rangefinder
If you're spending too much time trying to estimate distance in the wind, you're not just slowing down play—you’re also hurting your game.
Using a rangefinder is a game-changer in the wind. It helps you:
- Get exact yardages to front, middle, and back
- Factor in elevation changes and wind direction
- Commit to the right club with confidence
We’ve got a full post on improving your pace of play and your performance that dives deeper into how tools like rangefinders, better routines, and smarter decision-making can lower your scores and speed up the round.
Playing golf in the Texas wind isn’t about perfection—it’s about adapting. At Legends Golf Course, the breeze is part of the charm and the challenge. The players who embrace it, adjust their strategy, and stay patient are the ones who end the day with the best stories—and the best scores.
So the next time the wind kicks up in Kingsland, don’t flinch. Grab an extra club, swing smooth, and show the wind who’s boss.