Rain doesn’t have to ruin your golf. Spring in Australia brings unpredictable weather, and unless you’re willing to cancel every round with questionable forecasts, you’ll play in the wet. Here’s how to do it without suffering too much or scoring terribly.

Equipment preparation starts before you leave home. Waterproof jacket and pants are mandatory, not optional. The cheap disposable rain suits work okay in a pinch, but a proper Gore-Tex outfit makes wet rounds exponentially more tolerable. Being dry transforms rain golf from misery to manageable.

Gloves are the biggest equipment challenge in rain. Leather gloves become slippery and useless when wet. You need rain gloves made from synthetic materials that maintain grip when soaked. I carry three rain gloves so I can rotate through them. When one gets too wet, I switch to a fresh one and let the others dry out slightly.

Club selection changes in wet conditions. The ball won’t spin as much from wet grass, which means you’ll get more roll after landing and less control. Adjust by taking less club and planning for more release. A shot that normally spins and stops might now release 10-15 feet. Account for this or you’ll fly every green.

Wet rough is dramatically more penalizing than dry rough. The moisture adds weight and grab that kills clubhead speed. What might be a comfortable 7-iron from light rough in dry conditions becomes a hack-out with a wedge when wet. Be realistic about what you can execute and don’t be a hero.

Ball marks on wet greens are massive. Your pitch shots will crater the green, and so will everyone else’s. Repair them immediately, but also accept that putting surfaces will be chewed up. Bumpy putts are inevitable in the rain. Don’t let it frustrate you—it’s the same for everyone.

Keeping your grips dry is crucial. A dry towel under your umbrella helps, but you’re fighting a losing battle. The best solution is a waterproof golf bag with a rain hood that keeps your clubs and towel relatively dry between shots. Wiping down grips before every shot becomes routine.

Umbrellas require strategic positioning. Don’t leave your umbrella on your bag when you hit—it’ll blow over or get in your way. Set it up behind you so it shields you during setup and address, then move it aside before swinging. Practice this routine before you’re doing it in a downpour.

Course strategy shifts significantly in the rain. Soft fairways mean less roll on drives, so you might need more club off tees. Soft greens mean approaches stop quicker, which actually helps if you adjust for it. But bunkers become thick and heavy, so avoid them even more aggressively than usual.

Pace of play slows down in rain because everything takes longer. Accept this. Getting frustrated about slow play in a downpour just makes you miserable. Everyone’s moving as fast as they reasonably can while dealing with wet equipment and difficult conditions. Build in extra time when you book tee times on iffy weather days.

Waterproofing your phone and valuables is essential. A Ziploc bag works fine, or you can get proper waterproof pouches. Don’t leave your phone in your pocket assuming your rain jacket is fully waterproof. I’ve killed a phone that way, and I learned my lesson. Assume water will get everywhere.

Visibility drops in heavy rain, which affects club selection and decision-making. Yardages become harder to judge, greens are harder to see, and everything feels less certain. Use a rangefinder even on your home course because your distance perception is compromised. Trust technology over instinct in the rain.

Mental approach matters enormously. Rain golf tests patience and attitude more than ball-striking. Stay positive, embrace the challenge, and don’t let bad bounces or poor conditions destroy your mood. The guys who fall apart mentally in the rain aren’t shooting poorly because of the weather—it’s their response to the weather.

Footwear becomes critical in wet conditions. Waterproof golf shoes with good traction prevent slipping during your swing and keep your feet dry. Wet feet are miserable and distracting. If your current golf shoes aren’t waterproof, that’s your next purchase priority.

Scoring expectations need adjustment. Your best round in perfect conditions will probably be 5-10 shots better than your best round in pouring rain. That’s normal. Don’t chase unrealistic scores and make mistakes. Play smart, accept bogeys on difficult holes, and you’ll post respectable numbers.

Ball choice makes a minor difference in rain. Premium balls with urethane covers perform somewhat better in wet conditions than cheaper balls, but honestly, the gap is small. Play the ball you normally play. Switching to different equipment mid-round because it’s raining usually causes more problems than it solves.

The one advantage of rain golf is the course is typically less crowded. Die-hards and people with pre-booked tee times show up, but casual golfers stay home. That means you often get around quickly despite slower conditions, and you’re not waiting on every shot.

Post-round equipment care is mandatory after rain golf. Dry your clubs thoroughly, especially the grips and shafts. Empty your bag and let everything air out. Clean your shoes. Neglecting this invites rust, mold, and deterioration. Wet equipment that sits in a bag for days creates problems.

Some courses drain better than others. Links-style courses with sandy soil often play fine in the rain. Heavy clay courses become waterlogged disasters. Know your local courses and their drainage characteristics. Choose wisely when rain is forecast.

If lightning is in the area, get off the course immediately. Don’t be stupid about this. The round isn’t worth dying over. Most clubs have lightning detection systems and will sound horns when you need to seek shelter. Listen and react accordingly.

Rain golf builds character and resilience. The rounds where you grind out a decent score in terrible conditions are often more satisfying than shooting your best score on a perfect day. There’s pride in toughness, in not being fair-weather only, in completing the round when others would’ve quit.

The secret to rain golf isn’t complex: be prepared with proper equipment, adjust your strategy for conditions, manage expectations, and maintain a positive attitude. Do those things and you’ll shoot scores that aren’t much worse than dry-day golf while your playing partners fall apart. That competitive edge is worth the discomfort of getting a bit wet.