In the same way that the skipper makes every breath of air push his boat ahead, so the expert golfer can make some cross winds help the flight of his ball and in a way which to an amateur is often a mystery; for, in certain cross winds, a ball can be driven a longer distance than if there were no wind, although it is often difficult to decide whether the wind can be utilized or whether it must be fought.

When the Cross Wind is Blowing Towards the Player

With such a wind the amateur should play into the eye of the wind; and, although distance will be lost with the first stroke, more distance will be gained with the second stroke than if both strokes had been played for the hole. A good skipper, however, never sails his boat into the wind and the expert golfer will, if the wind is coming from the left, play to the right of the hole and pull the ball and if the wind is coming from the right play to the left of the hole and slice it.

When the Cross Wind is Blowing Towards the Hole

With such a wind the amateur should play his first stroke with the wind and his second stroke for the hole, but it is with such a cross wind that the expert gets greater distance than if there were no wind. If the wind is blowing towards the hole from right to left he will play straight for the hole with a slice, the wind keeping the ball straight and because the greater resistance to the spin is now on the right hand side of the ball, the left to right spin will send the ball ahead with increased momentum; while, if the wind is blowing towards the hole from left to right, he will play straight for the hole with a pull and with similar results.

When the Wind is Blowing from Left to Right Across the Line of Flight

In such a wind the ball will never get distance. "Eaten up by the wind," is the term used. If it is pulled into the wind the effect of the wind and the pulling counteract each other and the ball flies dead. The expert, therefore, plays to the left of the hole and slices the ball, the direction of the wind and the spin bringing it back to the line of flight; and although, because of the spin, it cuts through the wind a little it still flies dead but will be carried further than if played straight. In playing this shot, stand with the right foot further forward than when ordinarily playing a sliced ball, as the wind is apt to blow the club off.

When the Wind is Blowing from Right to Left Across the Line of Flight

In such a wind the drive will also be eaten up by the wind. If the ball is sliced the wind will keep it in the line of flight, but it will cover little ground and will drop inert and lifeless without any running power. The only thing to do is to keep the ball low either by using a low tee, playing a hanging ball, or playing a running approach shot.