What Are the Windiest Conditions You Have Played Golf In?

What are the windiest conditions that you have played golf in? Golfshake Ambassador Matt Holbrook had the opportunity to experience last year's Ryder Cup venue, Le Golf National, on Sunday, but he was presented with a notoriously challenging golf course made even more difficult by severe winds, something Matt captured on video for Twitter.

Most golfers will have played in breeze that was bordering on unplayable, with golf balls being blown from the greens and the pin manically flailing around, seemingly hanging on for life. This is especially true for links courses on the seaside, frequently prone to being buffeted by significant gusts, a characteristic that can be essential for an authentic round, but it doesn't take much for those winds to become so severe that it becomes hard to enjoy.

Never played golf in wind like it...... pic.twitter.com/Vv3MC4C9Dx

— Matty 'MC' One Putt (@MattHolbrook86) March 10, 2019

However, there is no doubt that it can be fun to hit drivers into par threes with the force of the wind in your face, before then seeing your tee shots fly for miles downwind on the next hole. Having a sense of humour and proclivity for adventure is helpful. Who can forget this at Gullane last year. But what is the worst that you have sampled? 

Several users on Twitter responded to Matt and Golfshake with their stories.

Whistling Straits 10/2018 ???? pic.twitter.com/LltrOtCRwE

— Elwood (@Elevmn79) March 10, 2019

Sheringham yesterday. You can just about make out @Bowman147Philip going into the North Sea! pic.twitter.com/9Kkv9ctSVD

— Jason Nichols (@Bushy1971) March 10, 2019

pic.twitter.com/8v2euyIJA4

— #Break30 Golf Short Game School (@GregThornerGolf) March 10, 2019

Hesketh GC in 35mph in December 18, and gusting 45mph at Hoylake Nov 17. Good craic... pic.twitter.com/bmfPCnscQZ

— Dave Woods (@woodsyashley) March 11, 2019

Played in Storm Desmond a couple of years ago...Normal 8 iron approx. took 19 degree hybrid, smoked it all of 100 yards. ???????‍??????????

— Ant D6 (@Ant_D6) March 11, 2019

Played Prestatyn yesterday in what felt like a hurricane. One way I managed to hit a 5 iron 270 yards and coming the other way ended up short of the green hitting a 4 iron from 140 yards ????

— Rob Mason (@RobbieMason18) March 11, 2019

Yes. Saturday. Shot 75. Easy ????straight across the course so aiming 50 yards left /right of the intended target. pic.twitter.com/YVYi1KYldH

— Single Putt Al (@Alanfairweather) March 11, 2019

Golfshake Editor Kieran Clark - a resident of St Andrews - has his own tale of playing in the wind. "Six years ago, I played the Old Course with my dad and two American visitors in conditions not dissimilar to what Matt enjoyed at Le Golf National. The wind was so strong that it was difficult to stand upright, with most of the front-nine playing directly into the gusts. It was the most challenging nine holes I can recall, as it was near impossible to get the ball anywhere near the hole on those cavernous greens. 

"The tipping point, however, was on the par three 11th - a wonderful hole - which sits on the most exposed part of the Old Course at the Eden Estuary. From an elevated tee, the hole measures around 160 yards, with our faces being assaulted by the severity of the breeze. One of the American guys asked his caddie for club selection advice, only to be asked in response: 'How far can you hit your driver?' Bemused and needing convinced, the man from Florida - a decent player - elected for a three-wood and struck it sweetly off the tee. The ball landed 30 yards short of the green. Welcome to Scotland, indeed."

Unfortunately, modern tournament green speeds have largely precluded the game's best players from having to face the harshest of conditions, as who wouldn't enjoy seeing Rory, Tiger, and Justin having to display shot-making and determination in the face of Mother Nature? Alas, such experiences are generally left to us mere mortals. As Storm Gareth hits the British Isles, maybe some of you will be brave enough to take it on. Matt will always have Paris.