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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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    Don’t Let Your Ego Get In The Way Of A Long-Distance Tee Off

    By Foursome | March 23, 2008

    Many golfers make the mistake of thinking that a high compression ball (one that is wound very tightly) will automatically give the most distance. But more often than not, the opposite is true.

    To get maximum distance you must use a ball with a resiliency that matches the speed of your swing. The slower the swing, the softer the ball should be. This is because the more your clubhead flattens the ball at impact (up to a certain point) the farther it will go. If your swing is an easy one and the ball is too hard, it will feel and react like a rock. However, if your swing is hard and your ball is too soft, you will not get maximum distance either.

    All manufacturers rate their golf balls according to compression. The softer the ball, the lower the compression rating it has. Because they generate so much clubhead speed, the long-hitting pros use a high-compression ball, one rated in between 95 and 100. This ball will compress just enough to give them maximum distance. Most other pros use balls rated between 90 and 95. These compression ratios are too high for the average golfer. Even most low-handicap players should stick with a compression ratio between 75 and 90. Soft swingers and high handicappers will achieve maximum distance with a ball in the 60 to 75 compression range.

    Consult with your local pro to find the right compression ball for you. It may be hard on your self-esteem but use the ball best suited to your swing.

    Speaking Of Teeing Off, How High Should The Tee Be Set?

    How high you should tee a ball is another of those seemingly insignificant elements of golf that can matter a great deal. There is no point in working out something as complex as the pivot if you can then ruin shots by being careless about the simple things.

    The basic rule is that the ball should be teed at the same height, every time. Do not ever let the contour of the fairway dictate how high you tee up. Some players tee the ball low if the fairway slopes downhill and high if it rises in front of the tee. This is an error that leads to inconsistent shots.

    When playing into the wind, of course, you should tee the ball low and hit it low or you will lose too much distance. However, on almost all other occasions the ball should be high enough so that when the clubhead rests on the ground about half the ball shows above it. Ideally you are going to swing just a little above the grass.

    Topics: Tee Box, Tips & Practice | No Comments »

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