Golfing in Wet Weather: Laughs, Lessons, and the Art of Staying SMOOV in the Storm

Kevin Willard
Nov 14
3 min read

By OG Swing Thoughts

There’s a moment in every golfer’s life when the group looks at each other, the sky turns that ominous “uh-oh” shade of gray, and someone inevitably says: “We’re already here… might as well play through.”

Congratulations — you’re now officially playing rain golf. It’s like normal golf, but with more slipping, more swearing, and way better stories.

Let’s dive into the humorous, slippery, downright memorable moments that only a wet-weather round can deliver.

1. The First Raindrop Always Hits at the Top of Your Backswing

You can stretch dry. Check in dry. Walk to the first tee dry. But the moment you start that pure, syrupy backswing — plop — a fat raindrop hits you dead center on the forehead.

That’s the universe saying: “Buckle up, buddy.”

2. Wet Gloves Reveal Your True Character

There are two types of golfers:

The player with three backup gloves in individual Ziplocs like they’re preparing for a NASA mission.
And the guy who suddenly realizes he can no longer feel three fingers on his left hand.

Extra fun: If you ever remove a glove in the rain, the weather immediately intensifies out of spite.

3. Cart Paths Become NASCAR Tracks

Rain transforms every cart path into a slick oval raceway. Tap the gas too hard and suddenly you’re drifting sideways like Vin Diesel approaching a par-5.

Every group has that player who yells, “I meant to do that!” No… no you didn’t, Frank.

4. Casual Water Rules Are a Friendship Stress Test

Nothing sparks debate like a ball floating in its own private lagoon.

“Is it casual water?” “Dude… your shoe just disappeared into the fairway.”

Rain rounds are where golf friendships are tested, stretched, and occasionally renegotiated.

5. Putting Becomes NASCAR Physics

Rainy-day putting has only two outcomes:

Your ball goes three inches and stops like it’s coated in Velcro.
It hits a sheen of water and hydroplanes past the hole like a jet ski.

One putt per hole will make you laugh. Another will make you question physics. Both are free entertainment.

6. There’s Always a ‘I Don’t Need Rain Gear’ Guy

“Rain doesn’t bother me.”Translation: “I’m about to absorb five pounds of water.”

This golfer insists they’re fine right up until hole seven, when their shirt weighs as much as a small dog.

7. Your Golf Bag Gains 70 Pounds Instantly

Your ultralight Sunday bag?Now it’s a waterlogged brick.

Picking it up feels like you're trying to deadlift a soaked mattress.

8. Wet Fairways Don’t Care About Your Best Swing

You finally flush one — a rare, beautiful, center-face missile.

It lands… and immediately plugs so deep it’s basically core-sampling the Earth.

Alternatively, you get the only backward roll of your career.

Wet golf is unpredictable. That’s half the fun.

9. Umbrella Etiquette? Forget It.

Umbrellas become weapons in wet weather:

The guy who twirls his like a Broadway performer.
The friend who keeps tapping you with the wet side.
The guy with the umbrella too big for the cart roof, who spends the entire round bumping into everything.

Bonus points if someone’s umbrella inverts dramatically in the wind.

10. When the Sun Finally Breaks Through… Pure Magic

Steam rises from the fairway. Your gear starts drying. The group’s mood shifts from “Why are we doing this?” to “That was kind of legendary.”

You feel tough. Resilient. Bonded. Then you triple-bogey the next hole and return to normal.

SMOOV-Weather Wisdom (from OG Swing Thoughts)

Because even in a storm, style matters:

Smooth > Strong: Wet turf punishes violent swings. Stay SMOOV.
FIRGIRBIR still wins: Fairways + greens = birdie chances — even in the rain.
Bring a towel you don’t love: It will die a hero.
Laugh often: Rain rounds create stories you’ll tell for years.