==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 137 Date 05/21/10 ==================================================== ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Objects In a Bunker ==================================================== Rules Question: A player's ball lies in a bunker close to several objects. Which objects may be removed from the bunker without penalty: a) A score card b) A can c) A leaf d) A plastic bag e) A twig f) The player's own glove g) The player's own ball marker h) An abandoned tee peg i) A loose divot of grass Answers: The player may remove a), b), d), f), g), and h) as these are all movable obstructions. The player may not remove c), e) and i) as these are loose impediments. Loose impediments are natural objects. When a player's ball and a loose impediment lie in or touch the same hazard the loose impediment may not be moved. Obstructions are artificial objects and are movable anywhere on the course, providing they can be moved without unreasonable effort. Of course stones are natural objects and are therefore loose impediments, which ordinarily may not be removed from hazards when the ball lies in the same hazard (Rule 23-1). However, many course Committees introduce a Local Rule permitting stones to be removed in this circumstance; the reason being that it can be dangerous if a player hits a stone in the air in the process of making a stroke at their ball. Appendix l, Part A, in the Rules of Golf expressly permits such a Local Rule that allows the removal of stones in bunkers by declaring them to be movable obstructions (Rule 24-1). Another reason to always check the Local Rules before commencing a round on an unfamiliar course. Enjoy, Tom ==================================================== Golf Tip: Coping With Slow Play ==================================================== Q: Greetings Tom, Hope this message finds you well. I have a question regarding slow play. Yesterday I was playing Island Oaks at Lima CC and scored 41 on the front; pretty good for me. Then, as we made the turn, it slowed wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy down. My partner and I both became aggravated with the disruption of the flow and scored 10 strokes higher. What are some tricks or strategies that work best for killing time thus minimizing the effect of the frustration factor? Always find your tips helpful. Peace, Warren A: Thanks for the question Warren - slow play can get to you if you let it. Here are a couple of things that I do: 1) Stay loose, keep your back stretched out and swing two irons with "momentum" swings while you are waiting. A "momentum" swing is a full but gentle swing. 2) Stay calm, remind yourself that golf is a game of patience and if you lose it you lose your score. Tell yourself that good golfers just deal with problems like slow play, and that you are a good golfer. 3) Stay hydrated and eat some healthy snacks, especially at the turn. Stay away from sugary junk like candy bars. Keep some water or sports drink in your bag as well as some nutritional bars. Not being hungry or thirsty really helps you stay calm and patient. 4) Think about what a privilege it is that you are even in a position to be aggravated by slow play on a golf course. You're out golfing and you're on the right side of the ground. Think about what most of the rest of the world is doing and smile! 5) Last but not least, if slow play bothers you so much that it ruins your enjoyment of the game, play very early in the morning or very late in the day. Most of the slow play occurs in the middle, when the very casual players are on the course. Hope this helps. Enjoy, Tom