We have reached the stage of the year where so many golfers are having to deal with adverse conditions if they want to get out on the course and continue to practice.

The regular season on the PGA Tour finished some time ago, while the DP World Tour campaign has entered into the home straight. Soon, many amateur golfers will feel that they have more time to work on their own game.

But it is not easy to post low scores at this time of the year. The ball does not travel as far in the cold air, while it will barely roll once it hits the ground. The greens also cut up significantly more.

And of course, very few golfers have produced their best round when it is raining.

Jack Nicklaus’ two key tips for playing in the rain

It is unpleasant to be out on the course in the rain. Every amateur knows the feeling of not wanting to emerge from under their umbrella to take their shot. When they do, they often get through their routine as quickly as possible so they can get under cover again.

In 2013, Golf Digest produced an article which saw Jack Nicklaus reflect on advice he had given in the 1970s, with one of the pearls of wisdom concerning playing in the rain.

“Rhythm and tempo take on extra importance when you’re being bullied by the elements. With rain running down your neck, you risk hurrying your setup and swing. In those circumstances, I make a conscious effort to get properly settled over the ball, then to swing as smoothly and fully as possible. Two of my keys are: ‘Make a deliberate takeaway’ and ‘Complete the backswing’,” he wrote during his playing days.

He added in 2013: “Everybody has a few keys they think about. Mine were to not rush, get a good start, and make sure all the elements of my swing had time to happen. I used those all the time, no matter the conditions. But I didn’t mind wet weather. You should have the same outlook as Tom Watson, who relishes it. I always felt like there would be Group one, who wants to stay home; Group two, who wants to play but is in a bad mood; and Group three, who has Watson’s attitude. I tried to be in Group three.”

What Tom Watson always worked on to help him play well in the rain

As Nicklaus notes, Tom Watson thrived in the variable conditions usually seen at The Open Championship. He won the Claret Jug on five occasions, while he should have added a sixth title in 2009 at the age of 59.

And in his own article for Golf Digest in 2004, Watson revealed what he felt was crucial for him to play particularly well when it is raining.

“I’m known as a man to beat in inclement weather, and I like my chances. I figure experience, a positive attitude and a versatile short game give me an edge over a lot of fellows. Nobody hits as many greens as usual in foul weather, so you need to be able to get up and down. I’ve always worked hard on my short game, and it has always been a strength,” he wrote.

What is remarkable about Watson’s record at The Open was that his first five top-10s in the event saw him win the trophy. After 1983, he finished in the top-10 five more times, including second twice.

Some of his most iconic performances came on baked-out links courses, but he also had the ability to shine when the rain was pouring.