Rules of Golf Changes for 2012

Its great to return to my blog in 2012 and I plan on doing much more to create a dialogue with all of you this year.

As the 2012 golf season begins, be aware of the new changes to the Rules of Golf. The United States Golf Association USGA and the R and A Rules Limited have finally come together with single rules of golf publication. A new Rules of Golf book has been published and you can even order two copies FREE of charge from the USGA. Order online.

Here is a listing of the principal changes in 2012:

Definitions

Addressing the Ball

Rules

Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering

Physical Conditions

Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting

Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions

Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address

Rule 19-1. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play

Appendix IV

A new Appendix is added to prescribe general regulations for the design of devices and other equipment, such as tees, gloves and distance measuring devices.

Go to the below link for a short description of each rules change.

The full Rules of Golf in PDF

I strongly suggest you take the time to review the 2012 changes;

they are important & likely to affect your daily rounds

Want to improve your knowledge of the rules? The USGA has online QUIZZES.

Going mobile? A Rules of Golf App is now available for the Android, BlackBerry or iPhones. Take “The Rules of Golf” and the “Decisions” with you wherever you go. (I especially like the feature that allows you to e-mail rules questions to the USGA or Rules to friends!)

Etiquette 101

The Spirit of the Game

Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Other areas of focus:

• Safety
• Consideration for Other Players
• Pace of Play
• Priority on the Course
• Care for the Course

My Top Ten Interesting Observations from Round One of 2010 Masters

Friday, April 9, 2010

Yesterday I journeyed down to Augusta, Georgia to attend the Masters Tournament. Here are My Top Ten Interesting Observations during Round One of the 2010 Masters

1. Fitness Prevails: Phil looks stronger and has lost a few more lbs. Kenny Perry has slimmed down quite a bit too. Best “guns” – Camlio Villegas has some seriously ripped biceps. (Unfortunately it didn’t help keep his driver out of trouble!)
   
   
2. Poor Taste – Regardless of your opinion regarding Tiger Woods, this act was tasteless. An airplane flew over the golf course at the start of Tiger's round displaying a sign, “Tiger, did you mean bootyism?” Whoever paid for that message is also illiterate . . .
   
   
3. Dazzling. As beautiful as Augusta National is on TV, it doesn’t begin to capture the stunning beauty & glory of the golf course. You’ve got to experience it.
   
   
4. Challenge & Creativity. At Augusta National being off the edge of the green by a few feet can be just as treacherous as several yards. Ben Crenshaw demonstrated coolness under pressure, creativity, and touch by using his hybrid to chip off the edge of the 7th green. And yes, he made his par putt!
   
   
5. Unique Player Branding goes to the golf shirt of Camlio Villegas. In recent years a professional golfer’s clothing & equipment has begun to look like a mega billboard. Logos adorn the sleeves, breast, back, etc. However Camlio likes to wear the collars of his golf shirts up, so Master Card has their logo on the flip side. I noticed the only logo of the many he was sporting! (Yes, I enjoy following Camlio as he is one of my favorite players and made my list twice!!)
   
   
6. Best AARP Performance – Tom Watson. No fluke from last year’s British Open, this man can flat out play at 60 years young! He is getting better with age. First round score, a 5 under par 67. Go Tom!!
   
   
7. The “Jimmy Buffet” Laid Back Award goes to Fred Couples wearing ECCO Street Premiere shoes. (ESPN's Scott Van Pelt referred to the shoes as "skateboard" sneakers!) They were cool nonetheless and must have made a positive contribution to his round one leading score of 66. Magic shoes no more unfortunately . . . today, Fred posted a 75 for round two.
   
   
8. Adjusting to Adversity. Gusty winds prevailed during round one. No sweat for these guys. I noticed a change (immediately) in the width of stance of the players for full swing and putting when winds picked up.
   
   
9. Pressure, what pressure? All of the tour professionals at this level have meticulous preshot routines. They switch their golf swings to auto-pilot to deal with the pressure and perform at the very highest level. Most, if timed with a stopwatch, display darn near the same routine pace for each and every shot.
   
   
10. Meanest Tree, STILL! The Eisenhower Pine. The 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower was an avid golfer and member of Augusta National Golf Club. The president hit the tree so many times he proposed it be cut down during a 1956 club meeting. According to Wikipedia, “Not wanting to offend the President, the club's chairman, Clifford Roberts, immediately adjourned the meeting rather than reject the request.”
    
    Yesterday, when crossing the 17th fairway near the Eisenhower Pine I noticed the most menacing limbs still remain due to steel cables holding them in place. Now that’s flat out MEAN!!! “Drive” carefully.

The Tee Shot & Confidence

Watch my new video series, GOLF & LEADERSHIP.

Webisode 1 - Tee Shot & Confidence

Do you have a pre-shot routine? Share it here!

Loosen Up!

Back in July I wrote about my new experience & journey with yoga. It continues to be absolutely amazing to me both physically and spiritually! I learn new moves weekly that challenge my strength and flexibility every session!

As a golfer and a golf instructor, I have struggled with hip flexibility and strength. Yoga has helped me improve both and I am now beginning to properly articulate positions in my golf swing I once found very difficult to achieve.

However, the changes have been accomplished by two new disciplines . . .

I also want to share with you my experience with the Carolina Sports Clinic and Dr. Joshua Kollmann, MS, CSCS, NASM-PES. Dr. Kollmann is certified in Active Release & Graston in addition to being a chiropractic specialist. And, in August he spent a week in Greensboro, NC treating PGA Tour Professionals at the Wyndham Championship. (As soon as I can get him to sit still for 15 minutes I'll get the full report on his experience and post it here.)

In addition to his practice, Dr. Kollman is cyclist and runner, competing regularly in Ironman competitions.

Wow, what a great compliment Dr. Kollman has been to my yoga practice. His various treatment techniques have kept my back pain-free for the first golf season in nearly 10 years! My range of motion has improved greatly and it has been much easier to be on a strengthening routine . . . I am loose and it feels great.

Check out Dr. Kollmann's website at www.carolinasportschiropractic.com. Phone: 704-544-5353

Take Your Best Game to the Course

Taking it to the Course

What keeps you from taking your best game to the golf course? Everyone wants consistency in their game, but it appears to be so elusive. I believe it begins with fear and only ends with confidence. What’s in between is commitment and trust.

Fear

• Are you clear about executing a shot or does your focus lie in playing “avoidance” golf?
• Golf is a game of misses. The only perfect shot is a hole-in-one, so accept that while you will not always execute perfect shots, the misses work too.
• Fear not.
  

Commitment

• Attaining each level of competency in the game requires the focus of time and energy. Commit yourself to whatever time you have available to take instruction, practice and play. Set goals accordingly. (S.M.A.R.T. goals are a great start: Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic & Timely)

• Commit yourself to the fundamentals: grip, posture, aim and alignment.

• Always have a target. Golf is a target game. Be specific. Evaluate and gain feedback.

• Commit to gaining proficiency on a particular shot for a specific period of time. e.g. short pitching, bunker play, fairway woods, mid-irons, etc.

Trust

• Decide the type of shot you want to execute and trust it. (I had the opportunity to work with former LPGA Tour Player Donna White several years ago on my own game. She preached, “State your intention, then execute it.”) Indecision ruins many shots, especially short game shots.

• See it, feel it and rehearse it in the “mind’s eye” before you execute it.

• If your mind wanders as you begin to address the shot, begin again. (This takes more courage and discipline than you realize.) Develop and practice a pre-shot routine on the practice tee you can take to the golf course. For beginners – this helps combat first tee jitters.

Confidence

• All of the above leads to confidence and greater success if you have a plan and a process. Failing to plan is planning to fail by default.

Play on and ENJOY!

Yoga & Golf

I’ve long desired to experience yoga, but other than a few introductory sessions I never made the commitment. All that has changed now and here’s how: I met Aly Faber, owner of Empower Yoga at a networking event in April. We immediately bonded from an athletic perspective and following several conversations made a decision share our talents with one another. I am now practicing & learning yoga and Aly is doing the same with golf!

My Goals: Increase my physical fitness level including strength & flexibility (especially strengthening my back), improve upon balance & power in my golf swing, and last but not least, deepen my mental concentration and spirituality.

Session I: My first session was like embarking on a new adventure. Aly provided me with a brief history of yoga and encouraged me to “experience” it and not “think”. If you know me at all, I tend to be quite pensive, so here was my first challenge. I LIKE challenges!

Aly started me with a guided meditation focusing on breath and rich, descriptive images. As I began the movements, some were graceful and with ease, while others were strenuous, challenging my flexibility. The hour passed quickly. I finished a little fatigued but spiritually refreshed!

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Session II: As we began with the meditation I noticed it was easier for my mind to remain present. No thinking. Got it!! Today I learned a number of new movements & poses. My favorites: Warrior I & II. Very cool! Aly is a very perceptive instructor, challenging my strength & flexibility, but making sure I achieved measured success and confidence through the session.

In today’s session it became apparent to me that I have found something in yoga that I’ve always searched for physically & spiritually, but had no idea where to look. In fact, I believe other than finding the love of my life, yoga may be the most profound discovery I’ve ever made! Am I being too dramatic? Oh, perhaps; but remember, I’m pensive. I’ve experienced the breath-taking solitude and beauty of playing a golf course at dawn & twilight as well as the Zen of fly fishing. I think yoga dares to exceed both!

I can’t wait until next week!

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