Branduary Lessons: The wind is not your friend, but that doesn't mean it has to be your enemy.

Unfortunately, wind is just part of our game. It's not going anywhere so eventually you'll just have to play in it. I like to think of wind as the great multiplier, it will make tiny angle mistakes look huge. It will give you trust issues about every disc in your bag.

Right Angles

First things first, angles are the key to playing in the wind. That being said, you need to have an overstable 7-10 speed in your bag. Every brand has them, just find the one that fits and keep it close by. The general rule of thumb is that headwinds make the disc less stable, and tailwinds make the disc more stable. Yes, it can get more complicated but don't overthink it. Crosswinds can be tricky, and the effect they have can heavily depend on the Hyzer/Anhyzer angle. If you want a general rule, just try to keep your shots as flat as possible in those high wind rounds.

"...just try to keep your shots as flat as possible"

Right Discs

Glide is not your friend in the wind, you typically want your disc to fly the line and get down. The three drivers that have been great for me have been the H2V2, the Falcor and the X1. The H2V2 is a reliable low glide disc that pushes the distance and reliably gets to the ground. The Falcor is a textbook overstable 13 speed. Throw it hard and flat and know it will come around. The X1 is definitely more of a utility disc for most arms due to its ridiculous stability. In the high winds I want to know what the disc will do, and I know the X1 will always get to the ground fast no matter what. For approaches I've really liked the stability of the A1 for making reliable shots in swirling unpredictable winds.

Right Lines

Play your smart control shots, leave the distance in the car and play the easy lines. I love seeing a huge “S” flight as much as anyone, but when the winds are high it is just too risky to expose the flight plate. I encourage every player to have a “wind” line on the courses they play frequently. Find an easy hyzer line, or a repeatable forehand line, keep it in your back pocket for when you have to hit that line in a hurricane.

"...leave the distance in the car and play the easy lines."

Right Mind

In my experience the mental game is hard to keep clear in the wind, but it is the aspect we have the most control over. Being confident in the shot, the shape and the disc is critical. I’ve played a few high wind rounds in the last couple weeks and have been enjoying the challenge of making the lines work with my Branduary bag (you can check out my January challenge here). Stability and consistency is key, so don't get frustrated when your go to driver betrays you in the wind, disc up, go stable, and rip it flat.

"Being confident in the shot, the shape and the disc is critical."

How much wind is too much to play in?

• 0-10 mph I'm Out
• 10-20 mph I like a little wind in my hair
• 20-30 mph Kite Weather
• 30-40 mph the chains are the wind socks

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