Famous Penalties

photo credit: stevie withers   Greg Norman was the defending Champion of the Disney World Golf Classic and held the first round lead when he noticed that the ball he was using was improperly stamped and thus was not on the approved list of permissible balls.  He reported the violation and was immediately disqualified. 

Davis Love lll, playing in the 2001 British Open, inadvertently nudged his ball while making a practice stroke with his putter on the 17th green.  Instead of replacing the ball at a penalty of one stroke, Love putted out from the new position, incurring a two-stroke penalty.  He signed a scorecard charging himself with a one-stroke penalty and was immediately disqualified for giving himself a lower score than he had earned.

When to Press

photo credit: Smabs Sputzer   Calling a press (increased bet in a Nassau match) can make you money.  Here’s how:  1)  Clarify the betting procedure on the first tee, such as an automatic press when two holes down.  2)  Agree whether the recipients of the press can decline it.  3)  Always begin a press on a hole where you’re receiving  a handicap stroke.  If you are giving shots, never press.  4)  If you are a good player, press on par 3′s.      5)  If you are playing a four-ball (best ball) match, always consult with your partner before pressing.  6)  When trailing late in a Nassau, ask to press for the eighteen-hole match at the same time you press the nine hole bet.

Take Charge

photo credit: SearchNetMedia   Control the match by taking control of your opponent’s play.  There is an old saying,”the game of golf is played between your ears” and nothing could be more true.  Since golfers tend to be more reactive than pro-active, its quite simple to get control of the match at hand.  Try the following:  1)  Take charge on the first tee by showing him the ball your playing, tell everyone that YOU will keep score and ask your opponents the order of play. . . show them who’s boss!  2)  Always make them putt out no matter what the distance to the cup.  3)  Control the pace of play especially if you begin to fall back in the match.  Tiger Woods uses this tactic very successful to rattle his opponents.

Playing with a Caddie

photo credit: nsaplayer   A “looper” as they are sometimes called, has one purpose and that is to make your round more enjoyable.  Upon your introduction, getting on a caddie’s good side is easy.  Make sure your caddie calls you by your first name, its much more personal.  Before you begin, ask him to store the covers to your putter and driver in the bag.  When you make the turn, be sure to buy him snacks or lunch.  Discuss each and every shot with him, especially on the putting surface.  Getting his opinion will help you envision your shots and inspire confidence.  When the round is completed, fold or roll the money up and hand it to him in a discreet manner.  He’ll be eager to see you for your next round !

Survival on the Course

photo credit: akeg   Think about it, golf shots fly through the air and roll on the ground.  If you are swinging poorly keep your ball rolling farther rather than flying higher. 

When having a bad day, amateurs tend to direct their shots with a very controlled and unnatural swing.  A golf swing should be free flowing and natural.  The hands should remain passive.  When a player tries to use their hands to CONTROL shots,  their swing rapidly deteriorates and so does their score.

When having a bad day, try to hit lower shots to avoid the rough and stay in play.  Swing within your means and tee the ball lower for your drives.  Instead of pitching, bump and run or chip the ball.

Don’t Touch the Line

photo credit: tienvijftien   On the green, “the line” is known as the path you believe your ball needs to travel in order to reach the hole.  Space on either side of that line is included but it does not extend past the hole.  There are some do’s and don’ts, however:

a)  You may not touch the line with your hand to indicate the ball’s path or test the surface.  b)  Touching the line to lift or place a ball marker is permissible.  c)  The line may be touched to remove loose impediments such as twigs, leaves or any other particle.  d)  You cannot stand on the line or extension of the line behind the ball while you putt.  e)  You cannot touch the line to repair a ball mark.  f)  You can touch the line to remove a bug.

Used Golf Balls?

photo credit: Kevitivity   Why do some golfers spend thousands on equipment and then use an inferior golf ball during play?  

If you are considering the purchase of factory X-Outs (defective balls) or balls that may have been retrieved from water, think again.  Any ball that’s two years old or older loses about 2 to 3 percent of it’s distance potential.  Manufacturers would have you believe that X-Outs only have paint defects but that may not always be the case.  X-Outs may be non-conforming with USGA specifications and could also not perform as well as a new factory ball.  If submerged in water for one week, a ball will fly six yards shorter than the average golf ball.  Buy new, both you and your game deserve it !

Don’t Look Back

photo credit: Hussain Khorsheed   You should not allow one bad shot to ruin your entire round.  So many players allow one simple mistake to cloud their thoughts and dominate their game.  What is so peculiar is that the mediocre players aren’t really good enough to get mad at themselves.  The really good players, who have a perfect right to get mad at their mistakes, don’t, and that’s the reason they are so good.  They know how to control their emotions.

The next time you make a bad shot or a judgement error, instead of dwelling on what you should’a, would’a, could’a done. forget about it and go on to your next shot or golf hole.  We are human, therefore, we are entitled to make mistakes, especially on the golf course.

Potpouri of Do’s and Don’ts

photo credit: Kevitivity   Don’t walk in the line of someones putt.  Do fix your ball mark on the green.  Don’t hold the pin at an angle when attending it.  Do not pull the pin when someone is playing from off the green.  Do keep out of the sight-line when someone else is putting.  Don’t drag your feet on the greens.  Do wave faster players through when on the green.  Don’t leave trap rakes on the fringe area of greens.  Do rake the sand trap after use.  Don’t park golf carts near greens. 

Most of the above is simply good common sense but every once in a while, we all need a reminder or two.  Golf is a true gentleman’s game and those of us that participate, should feel grateful that we can play such a wonderful sport.

Things Not to do Before the Round Ends

photo credit: Ted Van Pelt   Does the following sound a bit familiar to you?   (1)  Don’t call your wife and tell her you’ll be on time for dinner.  (2)  Never say “good shot” to someone until their ball comes to rest.  (3)  Don’t call your mistress during the round.  (4)  Don’t leave a .25 tip to the cart girl.  (5)  Never pay your green’s fee with a ”rubber check.”  (6)  Don’t tell anyone you are carrying a concealed weapon.  (7)  Never admit it when you ”bean” a bystander in the head with your golf ball.  (8)  Don’t lend out your umbrella, no matter how good the weather.  (9)  Don’t brag about your golf instructor if you are on your way to a 119.  (10)  Never try to sneak on the course after you have already been in the clubhouse.

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