Playing Golf in the Rain
Also known as: golf in the rain, playing in the rain, rainy day golf, wet weather golf, wet conditions golf, wet fairways, wet golf course, soggy fairways, playing a wet course, rain gloves, how does rain affect my shots
To play well in the rain, keep your grips, gloves and hands dry. Take an extra club so you can hit a lower, controlled shot. On wet fairways the ball barely rolls, so plan to carry it to the target. Make a slightly shorter, balanced swing so your feet don't slip, and putt a little firmer on slow, wet greens.
Rain changes the game in three ways: your grip, how far the ball travels after it lands, and how the greens roll. Grip comes first. A wet grip or glove slips. Keep towels and a spare glove dry under an umbrella or in your bag. Wipe the grip and clubface before each shot. Many golfers switch to rain gloves, which are made to grip when wet.
On soft, wet ground the ball stops close to where it lands, so carry distance matters more than total distance. GOLF Top 100 Teacher Tony Ruggiero suggests practice swings next to the ball. They show how wet the turf is and how hard you need to swing through it. He also suggests steadying your lower body and shortening your swing, because wet grass can make your feet slide. Clubbing up and swinging smoothly gives a lower flight. The weather moves it less, and it is less likely to plug when it lands.
On the green, wet grass slows the ball. Top 100 Teacher Jim Murphy says to change your speed, not your stroke. Roll a few practice putts first to see how far the ball goes. Slower putts also tend to break less.
The Rules of Golf help in the wet. A visible puddle is temporary water. Rule 16.1 gives free relief when it touches your ball or gets in the way of your stance or swing. Ground that is only wet, soft or muddy does not count. If your ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in the general area, Rule 16.3 gives free relief too. On very wet days the committee may adopt a local rule for preferred lies or for cleaning the ball. Check the scorecard or notice board before you start.
Tips by skill level
Keep one towel dry under your umbrella just for your hands and grips, and take one more club than usual on every approach shot.
Before the round, hit a few putts and chips on the practice green to recalibrate your speed. Wet greens can change how much break you need, so trust what you see there over your dry-weather memory.
Example
On a soggy day, a golfer who usually hits 8-iron from 140 yards takes a 7-iron, chokes down slightly and makes a three-quarter swing. The ball lands on the front of the green and stops almost where it lands. On the green she gives her putts a firmer roll and plays less break.
Why it matters
Rain costs most golfers strokes through slipping grips, shots that come up short and putts left in the jaws. A few simple adjustments keep the round playable and the score close to normal.
Common mistakes
- Letting grips and gloves get soaked, then gripping tighter to stop the club slipping
- Using normal yardages when the ball will roll far less on wet ground
- Making a full, aggressive swing on slippery turf and losing balance
- Leaving putts short on slow, wet greens
- Taking relief because the ground is soft or muddy, when the Rules only give it for visible water
Frequently asked questions
How do you play golf in the rain?
Keep your grips, gloves and hands dry, take an extra club and make a smooth, slightly shorter swing for a lower flight. Plan to carry the ball to the target, because it will roll very little, and putt a little firmer on wet greens.
How do I play on wet fairways?
Expect very little roll, so pick a club that carries the ball to your target. Take a practice swing next to the ball to feel the turf. Keep your lower body steady so your feet don't slip, and strike the ball before the ground.
Do I get relief from puddles on the course?
Yes. Visible standing water is temporary water, and Rule 16.1 gives free relief when it touches your ball or interferes with your stance or swing. Ground that is merely wet or muddy does not qualify.
How do wet greens change putting?
Wet greens roll slower, so hit putts a little firmer and expect them to break less. Keep your stroke the same and adjust only your speed.
Are rain gloves worth it?
Many golfers and teachers like them, because they are designed to grip better when wet than a normal leather glove. Whatever you wear, keep a dry towel handy for your grips.
Sources
- GOLF.com: Playing golf in the rain? 4 tips to make the most of your round (Tony Ruggiero, Top 100 Teacher)
- GOLF.com: The secret to putting on wet greens, according to Top 100 Teachers
- GOLF.com: 5 easy tips for playing golf in the winter (Kellie Stenzel, Top 100 Teacher)
- The R&A: Rules of Golf, Rule 16 (Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions, including Immovable Obstructions)
- The R&A: Rules of Golf, Definitions
- The R&A: 2025-26 Winter Rules FAQs (preferred lies, cleaning the ball, embedded ball, temporary water)
Related terms
- Temporary Water (Casual Water)Casual water, now called temporary water in the Rules of Golf, gives you a free drop. If a puddle outside a penalty area touches your ball or affects your stance or swing, you get relief. Drop within one club-length of the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole. Ground that is only wet, soft or muddy doesn't count; the water must be visible before or after your stance.
- Embedded Ball (Plugged Lie Relief)An embedded, or plugged, ball sits in its own pitch mark with part of it below ground. In the general area, including the fairway and rough, you get free relief under Rule 16.3, except in sand not cut to fairway height. Drop within one club-length of the spot right behind where it was embedded, no nearer the hole. There is no free relief for a plugged ball in a bunker or penalty area.
- Local RuleA local rule is a course- or competition-specific change adopted by the committee running play. It commonly covers embedded balls, temporary conditions like winter rules, or unique course features the standard Rules of Golf do not address.
- Playing in the WindInto the wind, take more club and swing smoothly to keep the ball lower with normal spin. A headwind costs more distance than an equal tailwind adds. Downwind, expect the ball to fly farther and stop less, and in a crosswind aim off and let the wind bring the ball back.
- Carry DistanceCarry distance is how far the ball travels through the air before it first lands. It is different from total distance, which includes roll.
- Knock-Down ShotA knock-down shot is an approach kept lower and more controlled than normal, usually with more club and a three-quarter swing. It fights wind or sharpens distance control.
- Speed Control (Putting)Speed control is calibrating stroke length and tempo so a putt rolls the intended distance. It is widely considered the single most important putting skill.
Related guides & benchmarks
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