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2012 Amateur Rules Changes-Playing By The Rules

Amateur players are going to be pleased with some of the rule changes for 2012. Amateur golfers all over the world will now be allowed to play for unlimited hole – in – one prizes. In the past, the rules allowed for amateurs to receive only small prizes, and that...

The Claret Jug

The Claret Jug The first British Open was contested in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club and stayed there for some 11 years. Originally the winner of the British Open received something called the “Challenge Belt.” The Challenge Belt was created by the Earl of Eglinton. ...

Destination

Goals. We all have them. Whether it be at work or play, we are inherently built for autonomy, mastery and learning. I"m physically fit enough to strike a golf ball within reason. But last summer and the summer before, that was not happening. I continued to hit...

How To Stop The Flippers!

How To Stop The Flippers One common problem I often see when I coach the short game is something I call the "flippers". As I often say, Flipper lives at Sea World, not on the golf course. The flippers is a dreaded disease that sucks the life out of any good...

2012 Identifying The Ball Rules Change-Playing By The Rules

There is a change in Rule 12 -1 (Searching For And Identifying Ball) that now allows a player to search for a ball that is covered by sand, anywhere on the course, by moving the sand without being penalized should the ball be moved during the search. This is...

In The Moment

What’s it like to stay in the moment? Ask Kyle Stanley. As the Pebble Beach Pro-Am just wrapped up, I want to bring you back to the last two weeks of golf and what Kyle Stanley didn’t and did accomplish. In the moment-a phrase many of us have heard if we have taken...

2012 Bunker Rules Change-Playing By The Rules

In the 2008 Zurich Classic, Stewart Cink was penalized when his caddie raked a bunker that was 185 yards from the green while Cink’s ball was at rest in a greenside bunker. This instance led to a decision that made reference to the fact that if the caddie was raking...

2012 Addressing The Ball Rules Change-Playing By The Rules

This is a first in our new feature called Playing By The Rules. It's my pleasure to introduce you to what has become a great friend of mine, Mr. Frank Guastella. Frank is a Michigan PGA Rules Official and has been contributing to the Ask The Pro Show on Twitter...

Winter Golf Tip: The 52 Degree Rule

Winter Golf Tip: The 52 Degree Rule Winter golf can be challenging to say the least. The layers of clothes, lack of distance, cold and wet playing conditions make things difficult. Here is general rule of thumb to help you play better in the winter months....

Should I Chip or Pitch?

Should I Chip Or Pitch? One question that I am often asked is: what club should I use around the green for a particular shot. Which is usually followed by me asking them this: Do you think you should chip this shot or pitch this shot? The following are some...

Improve Your Contact Around The Green

Improve Your Contact Around The Green One way to better your short game around the green is to hit the ball more solidly. Once you learn to hit the ball solidly, then you will be able to develop a feel for how far your shots will travel. Here...

The Hershey Hurricane-Henry Picard-Hogan’s Mentor-An Interview With The Author

A very special guest was with us on Aug 21st edition of Ask The Pro on Twitter. Seamus McGee aka Tim Ryan the author of a brand new book called The Hershey Hurricane-Henry Picard-Hogan's Mentor. Tim joined me for about an hour and a half discussing the book and how...