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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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    Tough Shots – Hitting The Ball Out Of Bushes & Tree Areas

    By Foursome | October 24, 2008

    Golf courses are phenomenally appealing to the eye, loaded with nature’s finest landscape of beautiful trees and various bushes. But if your ball lands in one of these areas, playing it through can be an excruciating experience, frustrating even for the most calmest of golf players.

    Nothing is more depressing than watching your tee shot soar through the air and become buried within a tangle of tree branches, tree trunks, or worse, a thick wiry brush. Should this happen to you, the key is to stay calm and learn how to get yourself out of the situation with as little penalty strokes possible, preferably none!

    So long as the ball stops on top of a decent lie, there is still hope to move forward without gaining too many penalty shots.

    Dealing With Tree Trunks

    If your ball lands close to a tree trunk, you may or may not have an opportunity to hit it through. It all depends on how close it lands to the tree. If the ball happens to be sitting on top of ground that has no roots, is somewhat firm, and is only a few inches away from the tree trunk itself, you you might have a shot.

    Otherwise, if the ball is located closer to the tree, a few inches away, then attempting to make the shot may cause you to take a step backwards, risking personal injury and/or breaking the club against the tree trunk.

    In this type of scenario, I would personally declare the ball to be an unplayable lie in order to move it to a better location. Unfortunately, one penalty stroke will be added to your scorecard, but it is the lesser of two evils.Think You Have A Shot?

    If you are fortunate enough to have your ball land in a spot near the tree trunk which gives you a slight possibility of success, as mentioned above, you now have an opportunity to get the ball closer to your target and back onto the fairway.

    If you do have the chance to set the ball up properly, and the lie is decent enough, your next move is to check for possible obstructions from tree branches. If there are branches that are hanging low enough to be considered a threat to the flight path of your ball, the best option is to pick a less lofted club, such as a 5-iron, and just knock the ball back into play.

    If you are lucky enough to have a shot with absolutely no branches interfering, you may choose whatever club you feel is best to get the ball to reach your target. Next, set the ball up so that it is approximately 1 to 2 inches behind the middle-point of your stance. Make a full swing, keeping it smooth, and just go for contact with the ball, disregarding using too much power and might.

    Topics: General, Tips & Practice |

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