More efficient practice

Bad weather days mean players must make the most of their practice time — you can't count on several days with no rain in the forecast.

Toughening up because of the elements

Golf was not meant to be played in continual pristine conditions, and players in the Northwest have to contend with rain, sleet, hail, wind, and occasionally, even a little bit of sun. "All in the same day sometimes," said Mike Moore, a longtime golf course owner and father of PGA Tour pro Ryan Moore.

Driving accuracy

Tree-lined courses force players to be more accurate with their tee shots.

Small greens = better iron play

Many of the local courses have small greens, and Fred Couples says he became a good iron player because of the small greens at Seattle's Jefferson Park Golf Course, where he grew up playing.