Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Do's And Dont's In Playing Golf

The game of golf was acknowledged in 1744, designed by the Company of Gentlemen Golfers in Edinburgh. Over the years, the rules have expanded so much so that the USGA needed a book to keep them all straight. It covers over 500 pages of rules and decisions; here we will highlight the most basic of them all to get you started.

When playing golf, your goal is sink your ball in a hole a couple hundred yards from where you start. The player that does this with the least number of strokes wins. Sounds fairly simple, right? In essence, but there are rules to every game, and to be declared the victor, you must adhere to them very strictly in the game of golf.

How to and not to Tee Off

Always tee off behind or between the tee-markers, leaving two club-lengths of space. Never tee off in front of the tee-marker.

It Came from Outer Space Ball Interference

Dont stop or divert your ball while its moving, unless you want to forfeit two strokes. If your ball is interfered by another player, you must play it as it lies. If however, its struck by another ball, whats that old saying? Que Sera, Sera, whatever will be, will be! But if youre both on the putting green, that too will cost you a forfeit of two strokes.

How to get the Most Out of an Impossible Shot

Im sure youd like to give yourself the best possible opening for a shot, but you must play the ball where it lies. Dont go uprooting plants or snapping them in half to give yourself the upper hand. The best you can do is adjusting your stance for the best possible swing.

Resting Balls Should Not Be Touched!

Thinking about nudging your ball after its stopped? Go ahead, and forfeit a stroke!

Where Oh Where Has My Little Ball Gone?

While we are on the subject of forfeiting strokes, if your ball is lost for more than five minutes, plan on playing another ball from the spot where you last shot and while youre at it, forfeit one stroke.

Objects on the Course

But just to be fair, you may move out of place objects, out of the way. This means cans and bottle or gardening tools, but dont try to move a statue or water fountain, youll likely hurt yourself! When this happens and there are immovable objects in your way, drop your ball within one club-length from the clearest point but not in the direction of the hole.

Lets Talk Green

The green is an area with smoother grass, cut lower, near the hole. If you can get your ball there, move the flagstick from the hole but be sure to put it back where you found it, when the last player has finished. Here, on the green, you may pick up your ball, you must replace it right where you found it.

Dos and Donts of Golfing

Lets go over some guidelines. These should be fairly easy to remember because they are all common sense and thoughtful rules of etiquette. First, though you dont have to wear checkered pants, dress properly for the sport, keep the volume down and dont liter or leave your beverage containers behind.

Golf courses are buzzing places; try to be on time so youre not holding anyone up. If youre struggling with a hole and its taking some time to get through, let other play through. Make sure you turn your phone off as well.

Toss a coin or spin a bottle to see who goes first, never ever, ever flip a club!

Be courteous and think about your safety and others. Keep out of the way when another player is in the middle of a shot.

Cover the holes your clubs make in the ground, this is called replacing the divots. You dont even need to bend to do it! And if youve dug yourself a sand pit, maybe youll consider leveling it out for the next unlucky shot.

Do I need to remind you not to flip, toss, throw, chuck or launch a club? Good! Now youre ready to play golf, dont forget your spikes!

Brian Kendall is a staff writer at http://www.recreation-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.outdoorsportsenthusiast.com.Design First Helicopter