Drop Zone
photo credit: nsaplayer A drop zone is a designated area in which to play your next shot. The area is determined by the type of drop about to be made. As an example: if your ball landed in a lateral water hazard (marked by red stakes or lines), determine the point where your ball crossed the hazard. Use any club (preferably a driver) to measure the distance and drop your ball within two club-lengths of that spot. The ball must not be played closer to the hole than the point where it crossed the hazard.
Drop zones are usually pie shaped areas the afford a relatively good lie. Rather than playing a ball that is underwater, take a stroke penalty and drop in the drop zone.
Water Hazard
photo credit: nsaplayer Unlike a lateral water hazard, a water hazard is designated with yellow stakes or lines. You have several options if you are in a water hazard.
1) Play the shot as it lies. If you happen to ground your club you will incur a two stroke penalty (treat it just as you would a sand bunker). 2) Go back and replay the previous shot and take a stroke penalty. 3) Take a drop on the backward extension of the line from the hole to the point of entry, no closer to the hole, with a one stroke penalty.
If any portion of your ball is visible above the water, it may be a very playable shot, otherwise its best to take a drop with a one stroke penalty.
Ground Under Repair
photo credit: Valerie Everett Ground under repair (GUR), is usually marked with a white line or sign. If your ball, swing or stance, makes, or would make, contact with GUR, relief is in order. You are entitled to take a free drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, and no nearer the hole. The Rules of Golf (under definitions) state that any material on a golf course, piled for removal, can be considered GUR. Loose clippings from a lawn mower are not considered GUR, unless piled for removal. This USGA. rule can be a bit fuzzy at times, so consider the situation carefully before taking a drop. Its always advised to bring your playing partners in on the decision if questionable.
The 5 Minute Rule
August 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under Golf Instruction, Rules
photo credit: mujitra (´･ω･) Hitting in the rough, woods or desert can be frustrating, don’t allow your frustration to hinder you from finding your ball. Instead of displaying a hissy-fit, watch your ball’s flight carefully. Mark it’s entry point with any type of natural landmark. Also, be aware of how high it went in because that will determine your search area.
Take the club that you intend to use for the shot, to probe and push back brush. The club might also be used to scare away snakes (in rattlesnake country, be safe and just declare a lost ball). Establish a pattern and do not deviate. Wondering around aimlessly only wastes time. Remember, under the USGA. rules, you have just 5 minutes from the time you get to the entry location, to find your ball.
Weak or Strong Grip Definitions
July 12, 2009 by admin
Filed under Practice Tips, Rules
photo credit: klavr (Photo at left is a strong grip) If you are right-handed (the opposite is true for left handed players) a weak grip means that your hands are turned more to the left on the grip. A strong grip is the opposite, your hands are turned more to the right. There are different variations, for example: a weak left hand/strong right hand or strong left/weak right.
A weak grip promotes a slice and a strong grip promotes a hook. If you are slicing the ball, try a stronger grip (turning your right hand to the right), if you are hooking the ball, try turning your left (or right, if need be) hand to the left.
Experiment with your grip on the practice range and notice the difference a subtle change can make.
The Slope System
photo credit: nsaplayer Each course is rated on it’s difficulty by a team of four State experts who follow the USGA rating guide. They assess how difficult a course is for scratch players and this is called the Course Rating. These same experts, at the same time, rate the same course for it’s difficulty for the average golfer (bogey golfer). The difference between the Bogey Rating and the Course Rating is the Slope Rating.
The purpose of the Slope System is to even out the playing field between scratch golfers and average golfers. A Handicap is calculated over a total of 20 rounds of golf. During the calculation period bad lies and inclement weather tend to average out to give an accurate total handicap rating.
Lateral Water Hazard
photo credit: nsaplayer Lateral water hazards are marked with red stakes or lines.
(A) Play the ball as it lies,don’t “ground” your club or it’s a two stroke penalty. (B) Replay the previous shot. (C) Take a drop within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball crossed over the margin of the hazard but no closer to the hole. (D) Take a drop within two club-lengths but no closer to the hole, on the opposite side of the hazard, equidistant to the hole from where the ball last crossed the hazard. (E) Take a drop behind the hazard, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the hazard on an imaginary line with the hole (you can drop anywhere on an extension of that line, as long as it is no closer to the hole. Note: 1 stroke penalty for each except A.
Rule 28. Ball Unplayable
photo credit: nsaplayer Rule 28.: The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke:
(a) Play a ball as near as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played: or (b) Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped: or (c) Drop a ball within two club-lengths, of the spot where the ball lay , but not nearer the hole.
When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.
Rule 16 The Putting Green
photo credit: dan taylor 16-1. Section F-Making Stroke While Another Ball in Motion: The player must not make a stroke while another ball is in motion after a stroke from the putting green, except that if a player does so, there is no penalty if it was his turn to play. Penalty: Match Play, loss of hole. Stroke Play: 2 stroke penalty.
16-2.-Ball Overhanging Hole: When any part of the ball overhangs the lip of the hole, the player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay and an additional ten seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest. If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is deemed to be at rest. If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke. Penalty: 1Stroke.
Official Ruling at Pinehurst
March 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Amusing Stories, Rules
photo credit: jerryonlife During a U.S. Open championship at the Pinehurst No.2 course, a player’s ball came to rest in the cuff of a spectator’s pants. A rules Official ruled that the ball must be played as it lay-a controversial interpretation of the rules even then.
The player was willing to give it a shot, so to speak, but the spectator would have no part of it. Scanning the gallery to make sure there were no ladies present, he carefully pulled off his pants and held them out so the golfer could play his shot. The shot was successful, the spectator put his pants back on and both men received a much-deserved ovation.
This poses the question as to whether certain rules need to be revised by the USGA.