Columnist: Richard Todd
Relief on The Putting Green
By: Richard Todd There’s a course I play regularly that if you slice your tee shot it’s possible to end up on the putting green of a previously played hole. I’ve almost scored an ace that way multiple times. I’ve even played to the wrong green given an errant shot and being unfamiliar […]
Upcoming Rules Changes for Penalty Areas
By Richard Todd Do you want to sound super smart, like a Rules Official on the golf course? During your next round, simply use the phrase, “Penalty Area.” This is the new term used by the USGA that replaces and encompasses, water hazards and bunkers. So regardless, if it’s sand or water […]
Support Your Local Golf Club
By: Richard Todd It’s unimaginable to think of playing golf in Ohio during the middle of January, when local courses are covered in a foot of snow and temperatures hover in the single digits, yet that’s what the course management is considering, and worrying, about! The warm, summer days with grass growing, […]
History and Rules of Dropping Golf Balls
By: Richard Todd The rule addressing putting a ball back into play has gone through several changes in the past two hundred years, and will go through more soon! Starting in 1908 the rule stated, a golfer would reintroduce a ball into play by dropping it over their shoulder. “The player shall […]
Technology & Golf Rules
By: Richard Todd After years of relying on my golfing companions to provide exact measurements to the green and hazards, using their GPS and laser range finders, I finally purchased my own technology. The quick reading of pin-point digital yardage speeds up my round, increases my confidence in club selection, and helps shots be […]
Using The Rules of Golf To Your Advantage
By: Richard Todd PGA Tour players have been using the rules of golf more effectively for their benefit rather than simply to assess penalties. Equity and fairness in play is the reason the USGA and The R&A created the rules. At the 2017 Open Championship, Jordan Spieth’s ball landed on a hilly slope […]
Rules, Rules, Rules
The Rules of Golf have dominated the news lately. Stories abound with professional tour events turned upside down as leaders were assessed penalties days later, as well as, the impending overhaul of many rules. What do professional golfers think and how do golf rules impact you? Golf Channel Amateur Tour (www.GCAMtour.com) player Matt Blum provided some […]
Rules Changes Help Your Game
The Unites States Golf Association (USGA) and Royal & Ancient (R&A) are currently making changes to the rules of golf to make the game more equitable, uniform, and hopefully more enjoyable. Some changes have already been implemented. Just ask Jon Rahm, a professional golfer from Spain. At the 2017 Irish Open he did not properly […]
How to Combat Slow Play
Golfers HATE waiting to play, due to the group in front of them playing slowly. Fights have been known to break out on the course, as patience is tested and nerves become frayed. During one round this summer I waited for two to three minutes on every tee box. While each of these delays isn’t horrendous by […]
Golf Helps Military Veterans: Find Out About Salute Military Golf Association
The game of golf provides much to golfers – exercise, both mental as well as, physical, plus it provides an enjoyable social experience with friends and family, to name a few. Golf also benefits non-golfers, communities, and organizations. In 2017 alone, over $3.9 billion dollars were generated for charitable donation, through golf events. Since 2012 the […]