Wind golf calculator
This wind golf calculator turns wind speed and direction into a yardage to hit. Wind is the one hazard that is never marked on the card. Tell it how hard the wind is blowing and from where, and it gives the distance the shot plays and how far to aim off.
Wind golf calculator: enter the wind
Enter the distance, the wind speed and where the wind is coming from. You get the distance the shot plays and how far to allow for drift.
How does wind affect a golf ball?
Wind changes both the distance and the direction of a golf shot. A headwind makes the ball climb, stall and drop short. A tailwind flattens the flight and adds a little distance. A crosswind pushes the ball sideways. Most winds are a mix, so the wind golf calculator splits them into the part along your line and the part across it.
How to use the wind golf calculator
- Choose yards and mph, or metres and km/h.
- Enter the distance to the flag.
- Enter the wind speed.
- Choose where the wind is coming from. The compass above turns to match.
- Read the plays-like distance and the aim.
Golf wind formula
Headwind: add 1% of the distance for every 1 mph
Tailwind: subtract 0.5% of the distance for every 1 mph
These are the rules of thumb caddies and coaches use. A headwind hurts about twice as much as the same tailwind helps.
Golf wind adjustment example
You have 150 yards to the flag with a 10 mph wind straight into you. Add 10%, and the shot plays 165 yards. If the same wind comes from 45 degrees to the right, only 7 mph of it is against you, so the shot plays 161 yards and you aim about 7 yards right to allow for the drift.
Golf wind chart for a 150-yard shot
| Wind speed | Headwind | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mph | 158 yd | 146 yd |
| 10 mph | 165 yd | 143 yd |
| 15 mph | 173 yd | 139 yd |
| 20 mph | 180 yd | 135 yd |
Wind golf calculator FAQs
How much does a 10 mph wind affect a golf ball?
Straight into you it adds about 10%, so a 150-yard shot plays 165. Straight behind, it takes off about 5%. That is roughly one club more into the wind and half a club less with it.
How do I calculate wind in golf?
Take 1% of the yardage for each mph of headwind, or 0.5% for each mph of tailwind. The wind golf calculator above also handles winds from an angle.
Why does a headwind hurt more than a tailwind helps?
Into the wind the ball meets faster air, climbs, stalls and drops short. Downwind it flies flatter and loses some of its lift, so you gain less than you lose the other way.
How can I judge wind speed on the golf course?
Watch the flag and the treetops, not the grass you throw. A flag that barely stirs is under 5 mph. One that flaps steadily is around 10. Standing straight out means 20 or more.