Instructional golf weather tips:

WIND

• Any crosswind over 10 miles an hour is likely to alter a shot's performance, particularly high, soft shots. In a strong wind, the smart strategy is to punch a three-quarter 7-iron rather than try to loft a 9-iron or wedge to the green.  Aim directly at your target; regardless of the wind's strength the ball will end up near the target.

• A headwind calls for a low tee shot. Two small setup adjustments make it easy. First, tee the ball about a half-inch lower than normal. This reduces the chance that you’ll make contact high on the face, which tends to produce more loft, particularly with today's oversize drivers. 

• Teeing off with a tailwind would seem to be ideal: The ball will stay in the air longer for more distance. But a following wind will bring the ball down on a shallower angle than normal, so it will come in "hot" and roll more than usual.

RAIN

• With the right technique, wet sand promotes backspin for shots that stop on a dime.  Skim the sand!  As the club head reaches hip height, let your wrists hinge. Visualize a long, shallow divot and the club striking the sand about three inches behind the ball. To maximize backspin, keep the club head accelerating to a full finish.    

• You've found the short grass but the ground is saturated. Soggy turf is less stable than firm ground, so it can cause you to lose your balance and make fat contact. So approach rain-soaked lies as you would fairway sand: Start with the ball in the middle of your stance and your weight evenly distributed. As you swing back and through, minimize lower-body movement. You'll keep your balance and return the club head to the ball for solid contact.

• The results of fat contact are worse when the turf is wet. Catching the grass just a hair behind the ball on a rainy day will result in a "splat" and a shot that goes almost nowhere.  Err on the side of thin contact!

TEMPERATURE

• It is very important that you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated; Tour pros drink a small cup of water at every tee on a hot day.

• Warmth is a priority on a cold day, but an unrestricted swing is key to playing well. Thin layers instead of bulky clothing let you swing freely. A combination of long underwear, a turtleneck, a thin sweater and an outer shell will keep you warm without sacrificing mobility.

By: Experts from Golf Magazine