As you watched the exciting conclusion to the Open Championship, the wind that swirled around chilly Carnoustie Golf Club in Scotland, was evident in why the fabled golf links are known as one of the most difficult courses in the world.

Wind is a great equalizer for golf, as players must adjust their shots to account for the conditions. There's an old Scottish saying, "If there's nae wind, it's nae golf." Indeed, wind presents one of the central challenges in the game, particularly on links courses where the game was, if not born, certainly nurtured.

Being able to judge the strength and direction of the wind, and knowing how to play in it, are vital elements for becoming a complete golfer. When the winds blow, golf requires patience, concentration and an added attention to detail, in order to be successful.

Always keep in mind that if you are playing near a large body of water - such as the cold North Sea that sweeps around Carnoustie - or even in a humid climate where the air tends to be heavy, the wind will have a greater influence on the ball than it will in the thinner air of the mountains and desert.

The stronger the wind blows, the more effect it will have on every shot, including pitches, chips and even putts. If you regularly play on a windy course, be sure to consult with your PGA Professional, in order to find a ball that flies at a lower trajectory. He or she can also offer advise on the most effective equipment adjustments you can make to help minimize the influence of the wind.

Playing Against the Wind

The key to playing into the wind is resisting the temptation to hit the ball hard, as this will only increase the effect of backspin, causing the ball to balloon into the air and come up well short of your intended target.

The best advice when hitting a shot into a strong wind is to knock the ball down by hitting a low-trajectory shot. Another option is to simply take more club than the shot would normally require and make an easy swing, focusing on making solid contact. It is also worth experimenting with choking down on the grip, since every inch you grip down on the club equates to one less club in distance.

Meanwhile, when playing a driver, there are two schools of thought. The first calls for teeing the ball lower than normal and slightly back in your stance, since this will allow you to strike the ball with less loft on the clubface. The second method counters that by keeping the tee at a normal level and playing a hook spin shot. When teeing the ball lower, you tend to hit it with a descending blow, causing it to balloon up into the wind. The best advice is to work with your local PGA Professional, and see which approach works best for you.

The good news about playing shots into the wind is that it can be a tremendous advantage on approach shots and shots around the green. The same effect that reduces distance off the tee -- an increase in backspin -- helps stop the ball on the green.

Playing Downwind

When you play with the wind at your back, it is a good news, bad news situation. The good news is that the wind will help you gain distance off the tee -- but good news only if you hit straight.

Otherwise, the windy conditions will only help get you further into trouble. In addition, the wind will make it difficult to stop the ball on the green, as the weather conditions reduce backspin.

Crossing Winds

There are two approaches to dealing with side or crossing winds. Most highly skilled players recommend curving the ball into the wind. For example, if the wind is blowing from left-to-right, hit a draw, and hold it against the wind.

The problem with this approach is that even the most talented player will sometimes look on in horror as that gentle fade turns into a hook, if there's a lull in the wind after impact.

Most PGA Professionals teach a safer approach for average golfers -- that is to favor the side of the hole that the wind is blowing from and simply let the wind carry the ball back to your target. This approach takes the spin off the ball, and it will run in the direction the wind carried it.

If you would like to learn more about how to play golf in windy conditions, it definitely takes some practice. That's why I recommend that you work with a PGA Professional, who can be found by using the Zip code search located on www.playgolfamerica.com.

In addition, at my home base -- The PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla. -- PGA of America Golf Schools are an excellent place to learn how to play the game year round in a place known for both plenty of sunshine and wind.

To learn more, visit www.pgavillage.com or call 800-800-GOLF (4653).

Here's to better golf!

Rick Martino is Director of Instruction for The PGA of America. He teaches at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and is ranked among the Top 50 instructors by Golf Digest Magazine. The author of the PGA Manual of Golf (Warner Books/$34.95), Martino can be reached at (800) 800-GOLF or by email at pgalearningcenter@pgahq.com.