As a tournament player, I thought I would list some Rules of the game that many players may not know, but could be advantageous to their game.
The Rules listed below are from the United States Golf Association 2008-2009 manual.
Rule 2 Match Play
A match consists of one side (player) playing against another over a stipulated round of golf.
In match play, the game is played by holes. Whichever competitor has won the most holes over the stipulated 18 holes of golf is declared the winner.
Rule 3 Stroke Play
A stroke play competition consists of competitors completing each hole of a stipulated round or rounds of golf and, for each round of golf, returning a score card on which there is a gross score for each hole. Each player is playing against every other player in the field.
The competitor (player) who plays the stipulated round or rounds with the fewest strokes is declared the "winner". (lowest score)
Rule 7-1 Practice prior to a round
Under this rule, practicing on the competition course before a match play round is permitted.
That means that you may play a few holes, roll a few balls on the green and putt to the day's location, all on the tournament ready course prior to a match play round. Now that is only for match play; if the round is stroke play then the above is prohibited. Also, if two or more stroke play rounds are to be played over consecutive days, you may not practice between rounds on any competition course left to be played.
Rule 7-2 There are three times when a player may practice during a round.
1.) Between the play of two holes, a player may practice putt or chip on or near the putting green of the last hole played.
2.) A player may putt on any practice putting green.
3.) A player may practice on the teeing ground of the next hole to be played.
The above can be advantageous if there is a delay on the next teeing ground as you may work on your putting and chipping while you wait for the green or fairway to clear.
Rule 6-4 Your 'caddie' may practice
Your caddie may practice on or test the putting surface of the course before the competition tees off. You, as competitor, are responsible for the actions of a caddie during the stipulated round of golf. Also, you can have more than one caddie during the round provided that you have only one caddie at a time.
Rule 10 The order of play
If your opponent plays out of turn in match play, there is no penalty. However, you have the option to immediately require your opponent to cancel the stroke and re-play that shot in the correct order. It's only an option..
In stroke play, there is no penalty for playing out of turn.
Hope the above rules may prove useful to your game.
Contact us for quality American made golf bags & putters at: http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Solheim Cup - 2009
I have long been a fan of the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup.
August 17 to August 23, 2009, this event will be played at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. This will be the 10th event since its inception in 1990. The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten Solheim, founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, the parent of PING golf equipment. In 1990, the Solheim Family in conjunction with the US and European Ladies Golf Teams developed the concept, thus the "Solheim Cup" became a reality. This event is the most prestigious event for professional women's golf.
The American team is from the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the LPGA, and the European team is from the LET, the Ladies European Team. There have been 10 events played since its inception in 1990, every two years either in Europe or in the United States. We have won 7 of the 10 events. This year, Beth Daniels will be the American Captain and Alison Nicholas is the European Captain. They simultaneously will announce their teams after the conclusion of the Ricoh Women's British Open being played at Lytham St. Anne's in Lancashire, England.
For the Americans, the top 10 automatically qualify and the Captain has two additional 'picks'. The top ten Americans are Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Angela Stanford, Nicole Castrale, Brittany Lang, Morgan Pressel, Kristy McPherson (from Big Break), Christina Kim, Brittany Lincicome and Natalie Gulbis.
Juli Inkster, an all time favorite who has played in every 'cup' since inception is in 14th position. Maybe a Captain's pick?
For the European Team, the top seven earning 'Solheim points' are Gwladys Nocera, Tania Elosegui, Diana Luna, Laura Davies, Sophie Gustafson, Suzann Pettersen and Martina Eberi.
From the Rolex Rankings, the top seven are Suzann Petterson, Helen Alfredsson, Anna Nordqvist, Sophie Gustafson, Maria Hjorth, Karen Stupples and Catriona Matthew.
The top 5 on European points list and the top 4 on the Rolex Rankings qualify along with 3 Captain's picks.
It should be a terrific event!!! I'll be watching, how about you?
Contact us for quality American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
August 17 to August 23, 2009, this event will be played at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. This will be the 10th event since its inception in 1990. The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten Solheim, founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, the parent of PING golf equipment. In 1990, the Solheim Family in conjunction with the US and European Ladies Golf Teams developed the concept, thus the "Solheim Cup" became a reality. This event is the most prestigious event for professional women's golf.
The American team is from the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the LPGA, and the European team is from the LET, the Ladies European Team. There have been 10 events played since its inception in 1990, every two years either in Europe or in the United States. We have won 7 of the 10 events. This year, Beth Daniels will be the American Captain and Alison Nicholas is the European Captain. They simultaneously will announce their teams after the conclusion of the Ricoh Women's British Open being played at Lytham St. Anne's in Lancashire, England.
For the Americans, the top 10 automatically qualify and the Captain has two additional 'picks'. The top ten Americans are Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Angela Stanford, Nicole Castrale, Brittany Lang, Morgan Pressel, Kristy McPherson (from Big Break), Christina Kim, Brittany Lincicome and Natalie Gulbis.
Juli Inkster, an all time favorite who has played in every 'cup' since inception is in 14th position. Maybe a Captain's pick?
For the European Team, the top seven earning 'Solheim points' are Gwladys Nocera, Tania Elosegui, Diana Luna, Laura Davies, Sophie Gustafson, Suzann Pettersen and Martina Eberi.
From the Rolex Rankings, the top seven are Suzann Petterson, Helen Alfredsson, Anna Nordqvist, Sophie Gustafson, Maria Hjorth, Karen Stupples and Catriona Matthew.
The top 5 on European points list and the top 4 on the Rolex Rankings qualify along with 3 Captain's picks.
It should be a terrific event!!! I'll be watching, how about you?
Contact us for quality American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Thursday, July 9, 2009
LPGA Commissioner, Carolyn Bivens..the story continues!!
With the controversy growing over the status of the LPGA Tour, several top ranked women pros signed and sent a letter to the Tour requesting that Commissioner Bivens be replaced. Having approximately two years left on her original four year contract, Biven's is currently owed about $1M for the two years remaining on her contract.
This information, reported in our blog yesterday, continues on the day that is the biggest event for the season in women's golf, the U.S. Women's Open being played Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Apparently an interim Commissioner will be functioning fairly quickly and a Special Investigative Committee will be formed to find "candidates" who can grow the Tour.
The Tour has lost seven tournaments since 2007. With the current financial woes, all segments of the golf industry have been affected from the sale of equipment, fewer rounds being played to the decline of tickets and sales at scheduled golf events.
The Tour needs a new direction and new leadership. How about Nancy Lopez?
Contact us for quality American made golf bags and putters at:
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
This information, reported in our blog yesterday, continues on the day that is the biggest event for the season in women's golf, the U.S. Women's Open being played Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Apparently an interim Commissioner will be functioning fairly quickly and a Special Investigative Committee will be formed to find "candidates" who can grow the Tour.
The Tour has lost seven tournaments since 2007. With the current financial woes, all segments of the golf industry have been affected from the sale of equipment, fewer rounds being played to the decline of tickets and sales at scheduled golf events.
The Tour needs a new direction and new leadership. How about Nancy Lopez?
Contact us for quality American made golf bags and putters at:
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Top Players of the LPGA asking Commissioner Bivens to Resign!!
After a meeting of more than a dozen top players last week, including Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Christie Kerr, Mogan Pressel and Natalie Gulbis, a letter was sent to the LPGA Tour Board urging that Commissioner, Carolyn Bivens resign. Bivens took over the Commissioner position from Ty Votaw in 2005 and has two years remaining on her contract.
The letter stated that the LPGA Tour woes cannot be blamed on a poor economy and asked the Board to find a new leader to rebuild relationships with longtime sponsors.
The meeting with the top LPGA players took place two days after the Tour lost another tournament. The Kapalua LPGA Classic asked for a year off to find a title sponsor. The LPGA stated that it would use all legal actions to hold Kapalua to the reminder of its contract, another four years.
The Tour has two stops left this year at Rochester, N.Y. and Toledo, Ohio, and the renewal of these two events is uncertain at this time. The Tour has already lost another popular event, the Corning Classic, and equally questionable is the Michelob Ultra Championship in Virginia.
All total, the Tour has lost seven tournaments since 2007, including all three events staged in Hawaii. The Seoul Broadcasting Systems was offended when Bivens announced during the SBS Open in Hawaii that it had a new television contract with another Korean network. That announcement ended the SBS sponsorship and it went ahead and signed a 10-year contract with the PGA Tour to sponsor the season's opening tournament at Kapalua.
The U.S. Women's Open, which is not run by the LPGA Tour, is being played this week outside Philadelphia. After that, the LPGA Tour will not have another tournament in the United States until the last week in August.
When tournaments that have been very loyal to the LPGA start withdrawing then something is not right. We'll see where this one goes!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
The letter stated that the LPGA Tour woes cannot be blamed on a poor economy and asked the Board to find a new leader to rebuild relationships with longtime sponsors.
The meeting with the top LPGA players took place two days after the Tour lost another tournament. The Kapalua LPGA Classic asked for a year off to find a title sponsor. The LPGA stated that it would use all legal actions to hold Kapalua to the reminder of its contract, another four years.
The Tour has two stops left this year at Rochester, N.Y. and Toledo, Ohio, and the renewal of these two events is uncertain at this time. The Tour has already lost another popular event, the Corning Classic, and equally questionable is the Michelob Ultra Championship in Virginia.
All total, the Tour has lost seven tournaments since 2007, including all three events staged in Hawaii. The Seoul Broadcasting Systems was offended when Bivens announced during the SBS Open in Hawaii that it had a new television contract with another Korean network. That announcement ended the SBS sponsorship and it went ahead and signed a 10-year contract with the PGA Tour to sponsor the season's opening tournament at Kapalua.
The U.S. Women's Open, which is not run by the LPGA Tour, is being played this week outside Philadelphia. After that, the LPGA Tour will not have another tournament in the United States until the last week in August.
When tournaments that have been very loyal to the LPGA start withdrawing then something is not right. We'll see where this one goes!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
109th U.S. Open at BethPage Black
Well, it's over after 5 long days......with an unlikely finish on Monday, June 22nd, 2009.
Early on in the coverage of this event, on the Golf Channel, a "prognosticator" of sorts was featured holding up handwritten placards of his predictions as to "who would win the Open".
First, he talked about players who were long shots, having never won a major or really anything much to speak about. Then he talked about ages of the competing players, mentioning those over 40ish as unlikely contestants.
His final comments were that the most likely winner would be in his 30's with, at least, a win during his PGA playing events. The two most likely choices were Ogilvy and Woods.
Interestingly enough, our final winner was Lucas Glover. Yes, in his 30's with his last win coming some 5 years ago at what was then called the Funai Classic at Disney in Orlando, FL.
The most interesting thing for me that came from this event, was the three who tied for 2nd place. Without question, the player who really was the emotional favorite and who has endeared himself to New York fans is Phil Mickelson. WE all were hoping for Phil to win this one, but unfortunately, he added another 2nd place making this his 5th one at the U.S. Open.
More interesting though was David Duval who came to the event as the 828 ranked player and finished with a tie for 2nd place. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed his struggle to return as a major player on the PGA and, perhaps, this event will give him the confidence that he has been struggling to recapture. Hopefully, he will continue in an upward spiral!
And for Ricky Barnes, also tied for the 2nd place honors, who came into this event listed as the 519 player and leaves as the 153 ranked player, is a marvelous feat. Sure he would have loved to win, but though he struggled this still propelled him into a new level of competition and future events that he can participate in including the British Open.
So for the fans and pros alike, it was one Open that will be talked about for not only the winners but the "weather" and the condition of the slower greens that affected the players to putt!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at:
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Early on in the coverage of this event, on the Golf Channel, a "prognosticator" of sorts was featured holding up handwritten placards of his predictions as to "who would win the Open".
First, he talked about players who were long shots, having never won a major or really anything much to speak about. Then he talked about ages of the competing players, mentioning those over 40ish as unlikely contestants.
His final comments were that the most likely winner would be in his 30's with, at least, a win during his PGA playing events. The two most likely choices were Ogilvy and Woods.
Interestingly enough, our final winner was Lucas Glover. Yes, in his 30's with his last win coming some 5 years ago at what was then called the Funai Classic at Disney in Orlando, FL.
The most interesting thing for me that came from this event, was the three who tied for 2nd place. Without question, the player who really was the emotional favorite and who has endeared himself to New York fans is Phil Mickelson. WE all were hoping for Phil to win this one, but unfortunately, he added another 2nd place making this his 5th one at the U.S. Open.
More interesting though was David Duval who came to the event as the 828 ranked player and finished with a tie for 2nd place. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed his struggle to return as a major player on the PGA and, perhaps, this event will give him the confidence that he has been struggling to recapture. Hopefully, he will continue in an upward spiral!
And for Ricky Barnes, also tied for the 2nd place honors, who came into this event listed as the 519 player and leaves as the 153 ranked player, is a marvelous feat. Sure he would have loved to win, but though he struggled this still propelled him into a new level of competition and future events that he can participate in including the British Open.
So for the fans and pros alike, it was one Open that will be talked about for not only the winners but the "weather" and the condition of the slower greens that affected the players to putt!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at:
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Friday, June 19, 2009
Bethpage Black - Open to the Public
The United States Golf Association wants to take the U.S. Open to more public-access courses, such as Bethpage, to help boost golf and golf participation from the public.
The feeling at Bethpage is like no other; Pebble Beach plays the Open but that is a resort course whereas Bethpage and Torrey Pines are Municipal Golf Courses.
If you are a New Yorker then you can play for $50.00 and for those out-of-state, the cost is $100. Fees are much higher at Torrey Pines. The clubhouse opens at 4:30 a.m. and a Bethpage supervisor starts to distribute the all-important wristbands. These will permit the first six vehicles in line to advance to the main lot. From there, those golfers lock in their tee times at the cashier's window. Golfers could play the Black Course once in the weeks leading up the Open and, of course, a positive identification information is required.
At 7:45 a.m. the activity behind the first tee starts to build, as the starter "takes a scissor to the blue wristband" and announces that the first tee time is about to begin. It's quite a moment!!
Well this is U.S. Open Week and the fans are out in force despite the poor weather conditions on Thursday, the opening day. USGA Commissioner stated that "if play is necessary on Monday, because of the poor weather conditions, then anyone holding a Thursday Ticket will be allowed to see the finish if needed as Monday play.
We'll see..........
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
The feeling at Bethpage is like no other; Pebble Beach plays the Open but that is a resort course whereas Bethpage and Torrey Pines are Municipal Golf Courses.
If you are a New Yorker then you can play for $50.00 and for those out-of-state, the cost is $100. Fees are much higher at Torrey Pines. The clubhouse opens at 4:30 a.m. and a Bethpage supervisor starts to distribute the all-important wristbands. These will permit the first six vehicles in line to advance to the main lot. From there, those golfers lock in their tee times at the cashier's window. Golfers could play the Black Course once in the weeks leading up the Open and, of course, a positive identification information is required.
At 7:45 a.m. the activity behind the first tee starts to build, as the starter "takes a scissor to the blue wristband" and announces that the first tee time is about to begin. It's quite a moment!!
Well this is U.S. Open Week and the fans are out in force despite the poor weather conditions on Thursday, the opening day. USGA Commissioner stated that "if play is necessary on Monday, because of the poor weather conditions, then anyone holding a Thursday Ticket will be allowed to see the finish if needed as Monday play.
We'll see..........
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Color is PINK...........for Amy
At the Crowne Plaza Invitational played in Texas, everyone on Saturday was touting a fantastic shade of pink........all in honor and support for Amy Mickelson, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
The PGA Tour Wives Association organized this show of support with help from the tour, the staff of the Colonial Tournament and the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' foundation. Players, caddies, tournament officials, TV announcers and the fans all sported this unique shade of "pink" in support. For some professionals, like Ian Poulter, wearing 'pink' is a regular choice. Poulter, obviously, enjoys wearing his flashy,stylish and colorful outfits. However, for others, it truly was a stretch. Tour professional, Steve Marino, said "I'm not really a pink-shirt type of guy". But yes, his shirt was definitely pink and, just maybe, that might be a color he might consider wearing again after shoting a 62 in the third round on Saturday. David Feherty, the well known and "colorful" announcer for CBS wearing a pink hat, pink shirt and even a "touch" of pink in his goatee showed his support for Amy Mickelson and the efforts made by many organizations to promote awareness and raise funds to find a cure.
One such organization, LIFE, founded by LPGA Professional, Val Skinner, recently hosted her 10th annual charity golf event in New Jersey. Over the past ten years, Skinner, in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, has raised more than $5.8 million to fight this disease. Through awareness and on-campus visits to American colleges and universities, Skinner has dedicated her efforts to raise awareness and provide information to young women regarding breast cancer.
We all, professionals and fans alike, wish our best for Amy!!!!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags & putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/.
The PGA Tour Wives Association organized this show of support with help from the tour, the staff of the Colonial Tournament and the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' foundation. Players, caddies, tournament officials, TV announcers and the fans all sported this unique shade of "pink" in support. For some professionals, like Ian Poulter, wearing 'pink' is a regular choice. Poulter, obviously, enjoys wearing his flashy,stylish and colorful outfits. However, for others, it truly was a stretch. Tour professional, Steve Marino, said "I'm not really a pink-shirt type of guy". But yes, his shirt was definitely pink and, just maybe, that might be a color he might consider wearing again after shoting a 62 in the third round on Saturday. David Feherty, the well known and "colorful" announcer for CBS wearing a pink hat, pink shirt and even a "touch" of pink in his goatee showed his support for Amy Mickelson and the efforts made by many organizations to promote awareness and raise funds to find a cure.
One such organization, LIFE, founded by LPGA Professional, Val Skinner, recently hosted her 10th annual charity golf event in New Jersey. Over the past ten years, Skinner, in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, has raised more than $5.8 million to fight this disease. Through awareness and on-campus visits to American colleges and universities, Skinner has dedicated her efforts to raise awareness and provide information to young women regarding breast cancer.
We all, professionals and fans alike, wish our best for Amy!!!!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags & putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/.
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