drmevo

I edited it to add, “in the interpretations” right after I posted it. The two examples there include a foot being in place and the club being in place to make the stroke. I hadn’t seen that graphic but it looks to me like one of the feet is in place. Neither of those two criteria are met in a practice swing. And look, I agree with the idea behind the general rule and recognize that it’s extremely difficult to define a rule like this without compromising somewhere. It just seems crazy you can fix the situation on the green before making a stroke but not elsewhere. ETA: Of course you’re right about stance being defined, I should’ve said “beginning to take a stance,” but it sounds like you got my point.

Oh please? Very common in my experience when wearing spikeless Trues or Footjoys. The studs make little impressions and there are so many it makes a clear footprint. I can’t be the only one to have seen this. In fact, the green is the only grassy place I’ve ever really noticed clear footprints, not that I’ve paid much attention to it in the fairways or rough. I don’t disagree they should know the rule, but the pros probably think making your stance involves putting your club behind the ball in preparing to hit it. That’s the example given in the interpretations. Otherwise, you’re putting more judgement into the rule. How close to the ball can you be when making a practice stroke for it to not to be a penalty? A yard? A foot? If you define stance more clearly it’s not a problem. I’m sure some will say just don’t have the caddy stand there and it’s not a problem, but there still needs to be a clear definition IMO.

I would disagree, I’ve played on many greens where you can see clear footprints for a couple of minutes after walking/standing on them. I’m also curious why practice strokes count for this...it’s almost by definition not your “actual” stance.

This is interesting, and there is a similar concept in practicing/performing music. Basically, when rehearsing you have to think more about logistics, the form of the song, dynamics, technique, etc. But when on stage, the goal is the let all of that go and just play and try to make the music feel good. You wouldn't want all of that thinking going on or it would negatively affect the performance.

I have a 3.5+ and love it. Good choice. As others said, don't worry about it being a little difficult to fold/unfold the first few times, it's easy once you get the hang of it. I have a few accessories and agree the XL cup holder is a must, especially for hot days when you might have a big water bottle. You can have both attached, one on each side and keep one for water, one for beer. I have the wheel cover and it is actually pretty useful if you've been pushing the cart through wet, recently cut grass. It will keep most of it contained so you don't have to clean it off before packing away and your trunk won't get covered. The next time you go to use your cart the grass will have dried and you can just shake it out in the parking lot.

Yes, exactly. For me it's hard to overdo, although like anything I'm sure it's possible :)

I'm sure your video will allow people who are more knowledgeable than me to diagnose your issue, but in the meantime...What works for me when I start getting too flat is to focus on getting my left (lead) should working down instead of level on the backswing.

Right, that was my point. If there's no penalty for playing out of order other than one circumstance that isn't applicable, what are you going to nail them on? Without any accompanying penalty for breaching this "rule," it seems like it's more of a suggestion.

I think it will be a bit far for me to make an early afternoon time. Enjoy guys!

I don't see any way to apply the penalty in this situation, unless there's a decision that provides additional guidance. The players didn't agree to anything, and certainly couldn't be accused of trying to give Penny an advantage from the sounds of it. It's not like they were all out of contention and could've been trying to get a prize money kickback (I'm guessing that's the intent behind the rule?). What if they asked her to play and she refused? I think this closer to a tacit refusal to play in order by one player than a tacit agreement by everyone to play out of order.

How do we define what is and isn't reasonable when there aren't any definitions or requirements for concessions?

If non-verbal actions can be used to concede putts, can decision 2-4/3 be used to argue that the ball can be replaced if an action is misinterpreted as a concession?

I was playing in a charity scramble last Monday. It was our last hole, we were nowhere close to placing (-4 I think), and our "big hitter" (I think we used 1 of his drives all day as he was hooking them all off the planet), pulled out his driver on a short par 4 that doglegs hard left about 75 yards away from the hole. Now, I'm not a fan of the design of this hole because if you hit a straight tee shot but go too long, you're in someone's yard. A straight, 270-280 yard drive would probably wack the side of the house. However, there is a sign that warns you of this, you can see the house from the tee, and it's just generally well-known if you've played the course before - take less than driver if you hit it any further than 220-230 or so. I had just met the guy and was hoping my friend, who put the team together, would talk him out of it. No such luck and of course he hits his only dead straight shot all day. Luckily he ended up just short of the house, but obviously on their lawn. He drove right up on the lawn to his ball and tried to argue that we should play his. Now, for some reason there are no stakes so a discussion started as to whether it could be OB with no stakes. I would have thought common sense would prevail - you don't hit a shot literally 10 feet from the side of a house, on the other side of the cart path from the rest of the hole. Not to mention, this guy was taking some of the worst beaver pelts I've ever seen, shot after shot. I eventually found some faded markings on the cart path that said "OB" in white, so it was settled, but not without some grumbling. He really had no problem damaging that lawn. All that to say....I think once these guys have had a few drinks the only thing they might pay attention to is some scary signage, and maybe a well-placed security camera, unfortunately.

I went with 65-70. I'm guessing maybe an average of 68 or 69? The course is rated 73.6/137 at 6825 yards. The greens have a lot of undulation and it's not uncommon for them to stimp in the 11-12 range (according to the course). There are thick woods lining every hole so you get a punch out at best if you end up in them. The low-handicapper I play with usually scores mid-70's.

A decent air compressor can come in handy for a lot of applications, so I'd start with looking at the ones suggested above and maybe even consider a slightly larger one depending on whether you might like to someday buy additional tools for it. I bought a basic set of air tools (impact wrench, etc.) from Home Depot and they've come in handy more than once. In terms of graphite, the only things I've read is that you should be extra careful removing the old grips not to nick/gouge the shaft. A lot of people recommend hook blades on a utility knife. Also, I'd get a rubber vise clamp (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SA5JBZW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_HoMBzbVTQZZGR) if you don't already have one and either a vise or one of those Black&Decker work benches (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000077CQ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_1qMBzb9M51Z3E) to hold the club.

Check out the Pro grip kits: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006G2L4O2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_vLLBzbHJYDD35 2lb shipping weight and by all accounts come with the installation tool. I think I got my kit for $40-$50 a couple of years ago!

If I were you, I'd buy a bundle on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7FP9MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_LBLBzbSG3YERR There's a decent chance it comes with the installation tool, which is way over-priced in my opinion. When I bought my pro's on Amazon it was included. Edit: tried to fix the link to go to the Amazon-sold version instead of Hireko Golf, but it keeps sending me to the Hireko version for some reason. Just select Amazon under Other Sellers if needed.

Well, you have some specialty shots like this I guess (one-handed backwards chip): http://www.golfdigest.com/story/underrated-moments-in-golf-history-sergio-garcia-climbs-a-tr

Hey, I'm all for it since it would also outlaw side-saddle putting and kill two birds with one stone! Perhaps such a rule would logically have to extend to all strokes and that's why they don't want to do it?

I was thinking the same thing, but that on its own wouldn't disallow belly putters the way they're usually used, right? You would still need the anchoring rule or something else additional.

Not to get too OT, but do the rules require one to move his or her mark when an opponent or FC requests it? Obviously etiquette would dictate moving it but I'm not 100% clear on whether it is required based on the way the rule is worded. This is more of a curiosity, I'm not planning to deny anyone

Sounds good, obviously do whatever works best for your vacation plans. If I can somehow make it once plans are set I will. Whale watches are a lot of fun, but I hope no one in your family is the least bit prone to sea-sickness, or that you get a very calm day out on the water.

Unfortunately weekdays aren't too good for me since I'm already using a good bit of my PTO already this summer, unless it's an afternoon and I can just take off early from work. Do you know what dates are possibilities yet?

Are you thinking of Spring Meadows or Old Marsh Country Club? Old Marsh is in Wells (~30 min south of Portland for @billchao) and Spring Meadows is in Gray, about 30 min north of Portland. Old Marsh might be another decent option but I've never played it. I will also recommend The Ledges in York - that's the course I was going to recommend if driving further south is a possibility. Plus it's about 10 minutes from my house so chances are good I could join.

I live about 45 minutes south of Portland on the ME/NH border but haven't played anywhere within 20 minutes of the city. If you're willing to travel more like 45-50 minutes south I could give some good recommendations. I've gone on a stay-and-play trip with a group of guys the last couple years up in Poland. The two better courses of that package, Fox Ridge and Spring Meadow, are both decent and I believe about 30 minutes from Portland. I think Fox Ridge has a nicer layout but at the time Spring Meadow was in better shape. If you feel like venturing south let me know and I'll play with you if my schedule allows.