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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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    4 Tips To Dominating The Short Game

    By Foursome | August 13, 2008

    Keep The Ball Low

    Ego can be a huge enemy on the golf course, especially when playing the short game. I see ego-driven golfers every weekend make the same mistakes when trying to get the ball to stop as close to the hole as possible, without overextending the distance.

    The key is to focus on rolling the ball instead of sending it flying through the air. Think of every chip and pitch shot as nothing more than long putts. A ball that is sent rolling towards the green has a much better chance to land close to the hole, or even go into the hole, than one that is flying vertically at the hole.

    Let Your Subconscious Take Over

    Golf is one sport where your mind can literally destroy every ounce of physical skill you have at the game. Therefore, do not allow bad thoughts and negative self talk to creep into your mind. This will drain your self-esteem on the course. Practice should be the time for analyzing your swing and breaking down each stroke, but when you are playing a real game it is time to “play in your subconscious”, so to speak.

    During a golf game you cannot be worried about the mechanics of your stroke. Your goal is to visualize the target line, get a mental picture of exactly where you want your shot to land, prepare for the swing, then just let your mind go and allow your body to finish the shot. By concentrating only on the target you allow your internal instincts to take over.

    Always Be Aware Of The Clubface

    The holy grail of proper aim and projection of the ball lies within the clubface making perfect contact. When aimed properly, the clubface will send the ball directly towards the target line. Therefore, not only do you need to aim the clubface straight at the target line, you must also swing the clubhead perfectly in alignment of the target line.

    Throughout the swing, it is imperative that you aim the clubface with full awareness of it’s position, from start to impact. To help get a better feel for the weight of the club, in addition to improving distance and better control of the direction of the ball, apply light pressure when gripping the club.

    Never Slow Down

    There is an old saying in golf that the death of any good swing is due to deceleration. Regardless of what your swing speed may be, the speed must be maintained throughout the entire stroke, never slowing down.

    It doesn’t matter if your club is swung from the 3 o’clock or the 9 o’clock, or whether you use a longer swing and complete it through, you absolutely must maintain the confidence in your stroke, as well as use the right club for a successful shot.

    Topics: Short Game, Tips & Practice |

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