Inland prairie courses rarely need water hazards to defend par — they have the wind. Out in the open, a breeze that would be a nuisance on a tree-lined course becomes the defining factor of the round.
The golden rule of wind play: swing easier, not harder. A smooth, controlled swing produces a lower, more stable flight that the wind can’t toss around. Take more club, grip down, and let the ball bore through rather than balloon up.
Manage your misses, too. Downwind, the ball won’t stop — play for extra roll. Into the wind, expect everything to come up short and plan accordingly. And crosswinds reward the player who aims off and trusts the drift instead of trying to hold a line against the breeze.
