Sandy Tiger

                Well it’s been a slow start to the season, at least from a Rules perspective, but I can now thank Mr. Woods for bringing to light a very important rule.  Unfortunately his breach cost him a chance at playing the weekend in Abu Dhabi, but I’m sure he’ll find something else to do…

                During the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on the 5^th hole, Tiger’s drive landed in an area of sand and vines.  Tiger looked at his ball and believed it was embedded.  He called his fellow-competitor Martin Kaymer to confirm that the ball was indeed embedded.  Tiger proceeded to take relief and played the ball.

                Unfortunately, you are not entitled to relief for a ball that is embedded in sand.  The European Tour and most major golf associations use the Local Rule in Appendix I that allows relief for a ball that is embedded through the green.  The term through the green does include sand by definition, “Through the green is the whole area of the course except the teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played and all hazards on the course.”  However, the Local Rule providing for relief through the green has an exception: “A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if the ball is embedded in sand in an area that is not closely mown.” 

Sadly for Tiger, a bed of vines is not a closely mown area and therefore he was not entitled to take relief in his situation.  Because the Local Rule did not apply Tiger's lifting of the ball and failure to replace it was a breach of Rule 18-2a for which the penalty is two strokes.  European Tour Chief Referee Andy McFee informed Tiger of this on the 11^th tee after confirming the breach on the television recording.  Although it seems clear from his quotes that Tiger did not like the ruling, McFee says he did not question it.  It is easy to understand the confusion, but it is also important to know the Rules.

What is difficult here is to put aside a common myth that golfers are entitled to relief for an embedded ball anywhere except in hazards.  Rule 25-2 only provides relief for an embedded ball in “any closely mown area through the green.”  Basically, only in the fairway or collar of the green.  It takes the Local Rule in Appendix I to allow relief for an embedded ball in rough, or anywhere “through the green.”  The confusion for Tiger is the Exception in the Local Rule, which prohibits relief in sand. And then he missed the cut by one stroke.  Ouch.

Stop-And-Go, Blow Wind Blow!

                Rickie Fowler will go down in history as the player to begin the 2013 PGA Tour Season – 3 times.  That record may never be broken (unless of course the Tour neglects to move the date of the Hyundai TOC), and thanks to Slugger White I have  wonderful Rules issues to discuss on Week 1 of 2013.

Cancelling a Round

                The PGA Tour was forced to start and cancel two rounds that had started and some were questioning the fairness of that action.  Decision 33-2d/1 gives us guidelines on whether or not a round should be cancelled.  The first sentence of the answer says it all, “There is no hard-and-fast rule.”  Really, there is no way to make a hard-and-fast rule though because the conditions that could warrant cancelling a round can vary so much from course to course.  At Kapalua, the wind is the major factor.  Here on the Monterey Peninsula, fog could be the factor.  In Abu Dhabi, sand storms could be the factor.

                The guideline that the Decision gives is “a round should be canceled only in a case where it would be grossly unfair not to cancel it.  The example given is exactly what occurred at Kapalua, where some players begin play in extremely adverse conditions and others do not have to play in those conditions.  For those who had to play 5-9 holes in terrible wind, they would be at a 5-9 hole disadvantage to those who never had to tee the ball up.  By the book, Slugger White and his crew got this one right – twice. 

Ball Falling Off Tee

                Yesterday’s non-existent round began (or did it?) ominously for Matt Kuchar as the wind blew his ball off of the tee on his first hole.  He called in a Rules Official.  Fortunately, there is a specific Rule that covers this situation, Rule 11-3 (Ball Falling Off Tee).  When a ball is not in play, a ball that falls off a tee or is knocked off the tee when not making a stroke, it may be re-teed, without penalty.  So for all of you who tease your buddies when the nervously tap the ball off the tee at the start of a hole, there’s no penalty and it isn’t, “One!”

                If the ball falls off the tee while you’re making a stroke at it and you whiff, well, then you don’t have a penalty but you have made a stroke.  That could have caused some issues at Kapalua over the last few days.  I, for one, would cherish the opportunity to see professionals whiff like the rest of us.  It only takes 50 MPH gusts to even the field…

                Just to change the facts a little… if you manage to whiff a teed ball and it stays put, and then you accidentally knock it off the tee, you would then be liable to a one-stroke penalty under 18-2a or 18-2b (depending on whether you had addressed the ball) and the ball must be replaced (See Decision 11-3/1).

Ball Moving on the Putting Green

                Now we can finally get this right.  The Kapalua wind is exactly what the new Exception to 18-2b was written for in 2012.  If you address a ball (it need not be on the putting green, it could be anywhere) and the wind causes it to move, you are not penalized and you must play the ball from where it comes to rest.  Gusts of 50 MPH are enough to say with certainty that the wind did in fact, cause the ball to move.  You still need to be careful, however, because if the wind blows the ball back into your putter, you would still be responsible for a one-stroke penalty under Rule 19-2 (Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped by Player, partner, Caddie or Equipment).

Local Rules for the New Year

                Happy New Year and welcome back to all of you who have recently returned from vacation or just missed the articles over the holiday season.  It is now 2013, the PGA Tour is off and running again in Hawaii and for me, it’s Rules School season.   Many of you are still unable to play due to the cold and snow, but some are creeping back to the links enjoying the “Winter Rules” many courses use during the off-season.  So for the first article of the New Year, let’s look at a couple of Local Rules and the myths surrounding them.

 

“Winter Rules,” “Preferred Lies” or “Lift, Clean and Place”

                During the winter season I get to hear the words, “Oh, just bump the ball a little, we’re using winter rules.”  As a Rules Official my stomach churns when I hear this so I want to dispel some common fallacies when applying “Winter Rules” so you can proceed correctly next time around:

1.            “Bumping” the ball is never permitted.  When “winter rules” are in effect you still need to mark the golf ball prior to lifting it.

2.            Just because it is winter, does not mean “winter rules” are in effect.

3.            “Winter Rules” requires that you name a specific area in which lifting and cleaning the ball is permitted, and the distance from the original spot the ball must be placed within.  Typically the ball may be lifted in closely mown areas through the green and must be placed within 6 inches of the original spot.

4.            “Winter rules” are not only for winter.  Specifically, “Preferred Lies” can be used in situations where extreme heat has created adverse conditions throughout the golf course.

5.            If you’re looking for a solution for one day after heavy rain because mud is collecting on the ball, use “Lift, Clean and Replace.”  This local Rule can be found in Appendix I under Cleaning Ball.

 

Desert Rule

                I grew up in Arizona where golf course surroundings were not particularly friendly to stray golf balls, and I frequently saw the “Desert Rule” on the back of scorecards.  Here’s what you should know about the “Desert Rule”:

1.            It is not permissible for a golf course to make a Local Rule treating rough or areas adjacent to fairways as lateral water hazards (See Decision 33-8/35).  If the area is to be marked as a lateral water hazard, it must meet the definition of a water hazard.

2.            It is, however, permissible to mark a desert area as a lateral water hazard if it would carry water after heavy rains (like monsoons).  Even if it is dry most of the year, it could still meet the definition of water hazard.

3.            There is no specific Rule that gets you out of the desert onto the nearest grass area with or without penalty.  Under Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable) you would only get back to grass if a) the grass is within two club-lengths of where your ball lies, b) while keeping the point where your ball lies between you and the hole you can reach grass behind you on that line or c) you operate under stroke and distance and the previous spot you played from was on grass.  All of those options come with a one stroke penalty.

 

Drop Zones

                Dropping Zones are not something any player wants to need, but they can be extremely helpful in tricky situations.  A drop zone should be used as an additional option under the Rule in question when the Rule may not provide adequate relief options (penalized or not).  Unfortunately, the ability to put drop zones in has frequently been abused or just done incorrectly altogether.  Here are some important notes about dropping zones:

1.            Drop zones do not have to be circular.  You may use forward teeing grounds, squares or any odd shape you feel like painting if necessary. 

2.            A ball may roll out of the drop zone or nearer the hole when dropped.  It must not roll more than two club-lengths from where it originally touches the ground.

3.            A drop zone may NOT be located on the green-side of a hazard.  You are not allowed to get out of negotiating the hazard (See Decision 33-9/2).

4.            A Water Hazard does not always have a drop zone.  Drop Zones are additional options, not part of the Rule. 

 

                The key to remember when creating or using Local Rules is that you cannot waive a Rule of Golf.  You cannot permit “gimmies” or mulligans, allow out of bounds to be played as a lateral water hazard or “bumping” of the ball.  Local Rules are exactly as named: local.  They are to help golfers with abnormal situations that occur at a specific facility so that they may play within the Rules.  If you have questions about Local Rules you can first check Appendix I of the Rules of Golf and also Decisions under Rule 33-8.  If you cannot find what you are looking for you may contact the USGA or regional golf association with specific questions.

Memory Lane

             Not all of us that grow up with the dream end up making it to the PGA Tour.  Inadvertently, however, we end up crossing paths with those that do.  This Christmas vacation I have the duty of sorting through some old paperwork and boxes of my father, who passed in a plane crash in 2006.  Among the random things he saved includes folders and pairings from amateur events I played in, programs from my first AJGA events and my first and only USGA event, newspaper clippings from the Arizona Open I played in as an amateur and numerous pictures that I didn’t remember existed.

            The nostalgic stroll down memory lane wasn’t the craziest part of the process however, but rather the hindsight recognition of what I was up against as a competitor.  Some highlights from my only slightly notable amateur career:

2002 North & South Junior Championship

            This was my first trip to the famed Pinehurst Resort and was fortunately not my last.  I played progressively worse as the week went on, culminating with an 81 on the #2 course, which left me toward the rear end of the pack.  I remember switching from the chain hotel to the Carolina even after poor play on the first round and how special that experience was.  I played in two North & South Amateurs after that and my father and I stayed in the Carolina hotel both times from the start. 

            This event was special to me because I wasn’t an elite junior golfer, however I was getting a chance to become one after qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2001 (it’s amazing what just qualifying for that event will do for a tournament resume).  I wasn’t playing particularly well that summer and hadn’t broken par (despite shooting even a dozen times or so) and looked forward to challenging the same course Payne Stewart had won on 3 years prior.

            At the time, the trip was incredibly special, but now that I look back with 20/20 hindsight here’s the kicker – a mid-tournament leader and nearly champion was Webb Simpson.

2001 U.S. Junior Amateur

            In 2001 I actually managed to put two rounds together and qualify for a USGA event (I haven’t done so since – ouch).  I made it to the U.S. Junior Amateur at Oak Hills in San Antonio, Texas.  We road tripped it from Tucson, where I lived at the time, and made it into the normal mid-summer weather you’d expect.  But I was used to that from southern Arizona and had two fairly normal practice rounds, including a -4 back nine during my second practice round.  I felt ready.  I looked ready.  I was playing ready.  I wasn’t ready.

            Everyone hears about the rough in a U.S. Open, the fast and firm greens, the difficulty of the conditions – Oak Hills was no different.  For me at least.  James Vargas shot a record 10-under for the two stroke play rounds, which managed to best my 22-over by a couple of strokes.  They forgot to tell me when I qualified that hitting fairways would be important.  I just saw pictures of my hitting shots from the rough where my shoes are not showing.  The USGA is tough in all of their events, not just the Opens.  Just so you know… 

            In 20/20 hindsight there are two notables: 1)In order to qualify for this event I beat out a player named Michael Thompson, whom some of you may remember from this year’s U.S. Open and the 2008 U.S. Amateur.  Turns out he and I played golf against each other since the wee-little years.  Turns out he was always better than me and I knew it.

            One thing I distinctly remember from that event, and I don’t mean to point it out as a negative, was that there was a player who decided to skip the Player’s Dinner that received an award.  I so desperately wish I could have earned an award for qualifying for the Junior Am 3 times, it really ticked me off that someone wouldn’t show up to be recognized.  I remembered this scoff for years to come.  I could not possibly believe someone would have the gall to not show up for an USGA award.  That player was Kevin Na.  I met him again years later at the 2010 U.S. Open and he really was a true gentleman and perhaps one of the nicer guys I have met on tour.  Strange how things work out.

2003 Arizona Open

            Amongst my father’s collection were clippings from the 2003 Arizona Open, which I qualified for and played in as an amateur.  I even made the cut.  It was basically a Gateway Tour event and it took nearly 20-under to win the three round event, but making the cut at even-par through two rounds for me was an accomplishment.  Heck, only 4 amateurs of the 20-something that started actually made the cut.  After making the cut, I finished poorly, but I always remember this one character that I played with in the practice round. 

            He was a bit goofy, very likable and a hell of a long-hitter for his size.  He was clearly a great player and looking to play beyond state Opens.  I laughed the whole practice round because of him, and I honestly couldn’t repeat most of his jokes even if I could remember them properly.  He may not remember the 18-year old that made his first state open and was trying to hang with the big boys, but I remember his positive attitude.  His name was Robert Garrigus.  Funny how things work out.  I could have given him a short putter then if he’d wanted it…

            There are far more stories that have turned up than I can share, but each time I dig into the deep banks of my memory I realize how everyone goes their separate paths but they frequently have intersections.  I mentioned Michael Thompson once, but I also have the medal from the 2001 Marana Invitational that I finished second in.  He finished first.  But what I remember is walking in after a shotgun start with a 71 and having the clubhouse lead.  I asked who was still left to come in and I was told, “Michael Thompson.”  I said right then, “Oh well, second ain’t that bad.” He came in with 70.

            Perhaps there are some things we know before the future.

Making Putting Practice Fun: 7-Up Style

             I’ve been surprised over the past few years at how few people know the putting game 7-Up.  When I grew up, I could barely escape a putting green without at least one game, and ever since then it seems that I have to teach it to anyone I want to play.  So now I’d like to introduce the game to everyone, because there is no golfer who cannot enjoy and benefit from this game and the variations below can turn this fun competition into great practice.

Plain and Simple

            The game of 7-Up is simple and easy at its core.  It can be played with as many people as you’d like, although anything beyond 4 becomes a little cumbersome.  Basically, closest putt to the selected hole wins a point.  Make the putt and you get 3 points.  First player to 7 points wins.  Some key rules to the game:

o   Choose who selects the first hole by lot.  Afterward, the player who is closest to the hole will select the next hole, regardless of whether the second putt is made.

o   You have to two-putt to keep the point.  If you are closest to the hole and miss the putt, you don’t get the point.

o   If you are not closest to the hole and you three-putt, you lose a point.  In the simplest version of the game, you are not allowed negative points.

o   You can stymie the first putt, but not the second putt.  So there is some strategy to where you leave the first putt, but you can’t block someone from the attempt to two-putt.

The Gamers Game

            In this variation there is a little more strategy and a little more gamesmanship.  This is the version my brother and I frequently play and can lead to some very interesting turns.

o   Negative points are allowed, so making sure you don’t three-putt becomes very important.

o   “Knock-Aways” are allowed.  This is where we have the most fun.  You are permitted to knock your opponent’s ball away and the opponent must either play it from where it comes to rest or accept a lost point for three-putting.

o   You must hit 7 exactly.  If you go over, your score goes back down by however many over you went.  For example, if you have 6 points and hole the putt for 3 points, instead of winning you go to 5 points (1 up to 7 and back down 2 to 5).

For the Grinder

            If you’re stuck on not wasting your putting green time on a game, you can try this version, which really helps you focus on your lag putting and distance control. 

o   Following any combination of the rules above, if your first putt is short of the hole you must draw the ball back a putter length before attempting your second putt.  First, you determine who wins the point for closest to the hole, but if you win and are short of the hole you must attempt to hold on to the point from a putter-length further away.

            This version really makes you focus on solid distance control and promotes aggressive but controlled long putts.  This will increase your focus and confidence in trying to make longer putts rather than trying to survive them.

Just In Case

Some other rules you can put into play to make games more interesting:

o   2 points for lip-outs

o   Cannot choose the hole closest to you

o   Play to 11

o   Must make first putt to win

            It is possible to play 7-Up with any combination of the above rules so make sure you choose the version that will be the most fun and beneficial to you.  A game of 7-Up is also useful for warming up because the focus of the game is speed control.  Try playing a game before your next round and see how your lag putting improves.

Turn Exercise Into Practice

                There’s an old adage in the golf world that says, “Hitting golf balls with a focused goal to a target is practice, hitting golf balls in any other way is just exercise.”  And if you’ve ever been to the driving range you’ve seen a whole lot of people exercising and very few practicing.  It isn’t difficult to change exercise into practice  and I’m going to offer 5 useful tips for making your driving range ventures more profitable for your golf game.

1.            Practice How You Play

                The simplest way to do this is to get out of “rapid-fire” mode.  Set your bucket of balls at least a step away from your reach and force yourself to set up to each and every shot.  Go through your normal routine, pick a target and try and hit the shot you would on the golf course.  Make sure to take your time and reset after both good and bad swings.

DRILL:  If you have trouble turning a driving range into a course in your mind, try the following range game.  Even though all ranges have different markers, all have landmarks that you can use to define your “course.”  Define your “fairway” and two “greens” to hit to.  One “green” should be a pitching wedge to 8-iron and the other should be a 7-iron-5-iron.  Then play the “hole” like this:  If you hit the fairway, hit to the short green.  If you hit the green it’s a birdie, if you miss it’s a bogey.  If you miss the fairway then hit to the long green.  If you hit the green it’s a par, if you miss it’s a double bogey.  Play that game for as many holes as you like using your range time to focus like you would on the golf course.

2.            Alignment

                With the exception of the range game described above, there is no reason you should be hitting balls at the range without some sort of alignment guide.  It can be specific alignment rods, broken shafts or two parallel clubs, just make sure something is at your feet to help you line up properly.  This forces you to have a specific target in mind before hitting your shot.  There are different ways to use alignment guides, but the most common is the “railroad” method.  Set one rod down parallel on the outside of your target line and one rod parallel inside your target line.  An invisible parallel line directly in the middle of the two should aim directly at your target.  That’s where the ball goes.  Line your feet, hips and shoulders parallel to the inside rod.

DRILL:  Hit 10-15 range balls with your alignment rods in place.  Place a golf ball down and remove the rods but keep them within reach.  Then, set up to the golf ball aiming at the same target.  Once you feel set, take one of the alignment rods and set it parallel to your feet.  Step back and see if you’ve maintained proper alignment.

3.            Clean Stall

                One of the rudest things I see on a driving range is a stall of random divots taken in every direction with no continuity.  Have any of you EVER seen a professional take divots like that?  Make sure the first spot you hit from is slightly forward, and place each successive ball immediately behind the previous shot’s divot.  With each swing you will only remove a small bit of turf, leaving plenty of room for the next person.  Not only is this good range etiquette but it also helps with your timing.  It forces you to place the ball in a slightly different location and makes you take the time to place it there with each swing.  It will slow your tempo and keep you from “rapid-fire” territory.

DRILL:  Using the method above, take divots in a straight line all to the same target.  Once your divot line has reached about 2-3 feet in length, see if it lines up to your target.  If not, it is likely you are taking divots with a slightly awry swing path.

4.            Rotate Clubs and Ease Up on the Driver

                When most amateurs go to the driving range they work quickly through the bag and spend a good portion of the time with the driver.  When the professional goes to the range, they spend most of the time with mid-irons in hand.  It is important to rotate through the bag and practice with all types of clubs, woods, irons and wedges alike.  When warming up for a round the average tour pro will only hit their driver 4-5 times, the average amateur may hit it 10-20. 

DRILL:  Work your way through the bag hitting 3 shots with every other club.  Once you reach driver, work your way back down hitting all the clubs you missed.  Finish out the drill by switching off between driver and wedge for 6 shots.  This drill is intended to help you keep a similar tempo and rhythm with every club in the bag and acclimate you to following a driver with a short club.

5.            Bubba Time

                Even for high handicappers the range is the perfect place to try new things.  Spend a portion of your time practicing trying to hit different kinds of shots.  If you predominately hit fades, try hitting some draws.  If you have a high ball flight, try hitting punch shots.  For lower handicap players this is a good way to feel different ball flights and how to create them.  When trying to work the ball don’t focus on alignment as much, but set yourself up so that you can create the desired ball flight.  This shouldn’t be a large portion of your practice time, but you can’t get Bubba Watson’s creativity without first trying it out.

LOW-HANDICAP DRILL:  If you’re a scratch player or tournament player then working the ball is very important to scoring well.  Not only do many golf courses call for particular ball flights on command, but you can save yourself from sticky situations by working the ball both directions.  When you’re at the range with a friend set up neutrally for a straight shot.  At the top of your backswing, have your friend call out “draw,” “fade” or “straight.”  Then it’s your job to hit the shot on command.  This drill will help you control the club face at impact, because the only way for you to work the ball in this drill is to use your hands to open or close the club face.