GOLF UPDATE - Improve Your Game

BY JOHN HUGHES, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

Stay Positive

If you’re patient with yourself and stay relaxed during your quest to become a better golfer, the pieces will gradually fall into place. Things to remember: Nobody cares— golfers are narcissistic, and your playing partners will care a lot more about their own score than yours.

Don’t Take it Too Serious

Notice the natural beauty of the landscape of the golf course. You’re not playing for a living – so you don’t have to act like it! Enjoy your surroundings, remember that a relaxed mindset is why you’re out there. Have fun – your playing partners will remember you for a good attitude, not what your score was.

Focus on Shots Around the Green

Chip, chip, chip…and then with the remaining time Chip! Hit these shots from every angle. Short game work is less monotonous (and less frustrating) than banging balls on the driving range. Master the shots around the green and then worry about the long game.

Stay Balanced

Get your setup relatively conventional, and from there, as you make your swing and think about maintaining your balance. Don’t swing for the fences all the time. Your goal is to make a swing without struggling to keep your balance. Hold your finish, balanced. You’ll have a platform you can build on for years.

Play Fast

Keep it moving—make sure you’re not the reason your group falls behind. It doesn’t matter how good you are or how bad you are. Keep moving…and, you’ll score better. Try it.

Take Care of the Course

Fix balls marks, fill divots, rake bunkers, keep carts at least 40 feet away from greens.

Golf Rules

Previous Question –

In stroke play, a player begins taking their stance while their caddie stands on the fringe of the putting green on an extension of the line of play behind the ball; the player then plays. What’s the ruling?

Answer –

There is no penalty if the caddie inadvertently stood on an extension of the player’s line of play behind the ball. However, the caddie must not stand in the restricted area to help the player with aiming. Standing off the green has no bearing.

This Month’s Question –

A player strikes their ball from a bunker onto the next teeing area. Another player, who is making a practice swing, accidentally strikes the moving ball. The ball comes to rest in a yellow penalty area. What is the ruling?

The player must play the ball as it lies in the yellow penalty area or take relief under the penalty area relief Rule (17.1d). Explanation: Rule 11.1b