Peeling back the curtains on a golf day can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if the forecast is sketchy. If there are no puddles on the ground and no storm clouds looming above, most players experience a rush of relief and excitement. On the flipside, any hint of precipitation fills players with a sense of dread and a belief that the golf gods are conspiring against them.

If this sounds like you, read on. You can learn to love playing in the rain, if you focus on the positives.

No. 1: You Can Fire at Flags

When golf courses get wet, they get soft. Soggy conditions lend themselves to aggressive approaches, because the ball will stop wherever it lands.

If you know your carry yardages and can execute a proper swing (remember to keep your grips dry), you can take dead aim on most approach shots.

No. 2: Fast Play

A little precipitation is enough to scare off the vast majority of weekend warriors. When you elect to brave the elements, your reward will be a near-empty course and a sub-4-hour round.

No. 3: Easier Bunker Shots

A symptom of persistent rain is hard-packed sand. Happily for the foul-weather golfer, firm sand is generally more uniform and therefore more predictable than its powdery counterpart. You also get more “bounce” out of firm bunkers, making it easier to get the ball out of the bunker with plenty of spin.

No. 4: It’s Rugged

Fair-weather golfers are pampered creatures. They’ve been coddled by benign climes, pristine fairways and pretty cart girls. They exist in a sanitized bubble, only daring to venture out when conditions are totally in their favour.

Foul-weather golfers, on the other hand, realize that golf, like life, wasn’t meant to be easy. They are robust souls who don’t just thrive on adversity; they actively seek it. In their ongoing battle against par, they are prepared to fight on the golf course’s terms. They don’t allow distractions, like a little bit of water, to stand in their way.

In short, a rainy 18 holes is a cool way of getting outside your comfort zone.

No. 5: It Will Improve Your Game

Playing in the rain is a skill in and of itself. If you’re a tournament player, an ability to thrive in poor conditions could be the difference between a win and a missed cut.

Playing in the wet stuff can also help develop your ball striking. Soft ground and moist air makes the golf course play longer, so you’ll get the chance to hit more middle and long-iron approaches. Soft ground conditions also demand more pure contact, because the effect of hitting the ball fat tends to be amplified.

Perhaps the best benefit of wet-weather golf comes in the mental game. Rain can be a monumental distraction before and during your swing, so you have to work extremely hard to knuckle down and maintain focus. If you can execute your pre-shot routine and remain mentally locked-in throughout a foul-weather round, you’re well on your way to fulfilling your potential.

No. 6: You Can Justify Your Wet Weather Wardrobe

As a GolfWRX reader, you probably have an expensive rain suit stuffed in your golf bag at this very moment.

Given the price of wet weather gear, you need to play a lot of rounds in inclement weather (or else have a serious aversion to rain) for your waterproofs to be considered an economically sound purchase. The next time you’re considering playing in adverse conditions, think of it as a chance to get a better return on your investment.

No. 7: Wet Weather Rules Can be Used to Your Advantage

During and after heavy rainfall, many courses will permit players to lift, clean and place their ball through the green. Known by professional golfers as “lift, clean and cheat,” this local rule gives golfers a rare (and welcome) opportunity to improve their lie without breaching the rules of golf.

Similarly, if a golfer determines his/her ball rests in casual water, or that casual water interferes with his/her stance, that golfer is entitled to take relief under rule 25. You might be able to give yourself a better lie or an easier shot by invoking this rule during your round.

No. 8: Help with Green Reading

Like morning dew, the film of water deposited onto greens by light rain can cause putts to leave a trail. Green reading is relatively easy when the group in front leaves clues as to the direction and amount of break.

No. 9: The Scottish Experience

If you’ve always wanted to tour Scotland with your golf buddies, you can get a reasonable taste of Scottish-style golf by playing a round in the rain at your local course. It’s cheaper than a flight to the British Isles, often just as wet, and it will leave you better prepared for any future golfing adventures across the pond.

No. 10: Play More Golf

If you’re prepared to play in the rain, every day becomes a potential golf day. How good is that?