Is It Too Windy for Golf?

Short answer: winds under 8 mph are ideal for golf. 8–15 mph is moderate and manageable. Above 15 mph, scoring becomes significantly harder, and above 25 mph many courses allow free relief or recommend waiting out the wind.

Wind Thresholds for Golf

Sustained Wind	Playability	What to Expect
0–8 mph	Ideal	Predictable ball flight. No club adjustment needed.
8–15 mph	Playable	1–2 clubs of adjustment. Handicap players score near normal.
15–20 mph	Tough	Scores rise 2–4 strokes. Shot shaping matters.
20–25 mph	Difficult	Most golfers should reset expectations. Keep ball low.
25+ mph	Too windy	Ball can move on greens. Many courses pause play.

So Is It Too Windy Today?

Use the forecast for your city to find out. Our playability score applies up to 25 points of wind penalty automatically, so the score drops fast once wind climbs past 15 mph.

• Is 15 mph wind too much for golf?
• Is 20 mph wind too much for golf?
• Full wind speed guide for golfers

Tips for Playing in Wind

1. Club up and swing easy — a controlled 7-iron beats a hard 8-iron.
2. Play the ball back for a lower, wind-cheating flight.
3. Use the wind rather than fighting it.
4. Check the best tee time window — wind usually builds through the afternoon.