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    Basic USGA Golf Rules -

    Golf has so many rules and regulations, built over hundreds of years, that a manual was created and is updated yearly, courtesy of the United States Golf Association.

    Below are a few basic rules that concern the golf ball when in play:

    1. Once the ball makes its way to the putting green, the rules state that you are allowed to mark its position. The benefits of marking the ball's spot is so that you can pick it up and clean it thoroughly so that it is perfect for your next shot. Second, if your ball is in the same target line of another player's ball located farther away, picking the ball up will reduce the chance of ruining that player's putt.

    2. Another rule concerning the ball when it hits the putting green is that you must remove the flagstick to avoid a penalty.

    3. You must always play your ball from the correct putting green. There may be times when you hit a shot and the ball lands on another hole's green that is not your own. If this happens, you must pick up the ball and drop it at the nearest location of relief.

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    How To Be A Master Pitch Player

    By Foursome

    The differences between a pitch shot and the chip shot can be summed up in 3 main points:

    1) The amount of time the ball is airborne.
    2) How high the ball is while in the air.
    3) The amount of backspin on the ball.

    The ball stays in the air longer because of the length of the swing used, flies higher because it is almost always played with a lofted club, and has more backspin on it because of the bigger swing and the angle of the swing.

    That last bit – the backspin – gives you a fair measure of control over what your pitch shots will do once they have hit the ground.

    When Exactly Should You Play A Pitch Shot?

    The short and sweet answer to this question is simple: You should play the pitch shot whenever you cannot chip the ball. Let’s rephrase that – whenever you cannot effectively chip the ball.

    There is a big difference there because you can always try to chip the ball, but of course it may not be the right shot at the right situation. New and intermediate golfers do this all of the time.

    For example, lets say your ball is about 20 feet from the green and is in the rough, and the hole is only about ten paces on the green – doesn’t the chip shot seem like the best choice?

    Most would think so, but the truth is that the chip is hardly the ideal shot here. Chip shots are ideal for getting the ball on the green with only a few inches to a few feet of flight, but in this scenario you will need a shot with decent hang time in order to carry the rough, plus a little height so that the ball lands softly and he length of roll is minimized.Notice That Last Part

    That last part – about minimizing the roll of the ball once it hits the ground – is a perfect example of how a pitch shot can be altered to fit the circumstances of any situation.

    There may be times where you want the ball to stick like glue, another time where you just want a little roll, perhaps just a few feet, and yet other times you need the ball to run halfway through the green.

    Topics: General, Short Game, Tips & Practice | No Comments »

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