By Jeff Louis
So you still want to play golf? Once again, your personal mentor, is here to guide you through.
We���re really going to get into some terms this week. I know there is some lingo that may be confusing and that you would like to better understand. As your guide, your wish is my command...
Green - The end of a golf hole. Where the flagstick and cup are located and where a golfer will putt to end the hole.
Pin or flag - This is the marker/pole on the green with a flag. It indicates where the hole is. When you are finally on the green, you take the flag out of the hole and putt (roll the ball into the hole).
Hazard - This can be many things, water, rocks, cactus, bushes, and/or environmentally protected areas. Specifically, these are areas or objects that make it hard to get a clean shot. They are usually marked with red or yellow stakes. You can play out of any hazard except the environmental ones, as long as your club doesn���t touch anything. If your club touches any hazard, that is a penalty. The alternative is to take a drop (see below). And, yes, you can play out of water as well. It happens.
Out of bounds - These areas are marked with white stakes or poles. They are usually used to protect the yard to a residence or the area outside of the golf course. If you hit a shot out of bounds - beyond those stakes, you would have to take a drop (again, see below) and play your shot over from where you last hit it.
Drop - This is a penalized do-over. Though usually used when you have lost a ball, you can take a drop even if you haven���t lost your ball. A drop is considered unplayable. This is a one stroke/shot penalty. So, say you hit your 2nd shot out of bounds. You will "drop" a ball from where you last hit. To mark your spot, hold the ball shoulder high and let it go. As long as the ball has not bounced closer to the green, it���s considered now in play. This drop is considered your 3rd shot/stroke. Your hit is your 4th shot/stroke and now you can move on with play. So, you basically lose a shot on the drop.
Provisional ball - If you hit a shot that you suspect you may not find (in the woods, out of bounds, or in a hazard), then you declare that you are going to hit a provisional ball. It is a drop with benefits. You will still lose a stroke.���but only temporarily. If you hit the provisional ball (from where you hit the original ball) and if, as you are moving forward toward the green, you find your original ball, you may play that ball. The provisional ball is now out of play and the penalty drop is removed. If, however, you do not find your ball, the provisional ball is in play and you lose a stroke. The provisional ball is used to keep pace of play, so that you don���t waste time searching for balls and replaying shots unnecessarily.
So you still want to play golf? Once again, your personal mentor, is here to guide you through.
We���re really going to get into some terms this week. I know there is some lingo that may be confusing and that you would like to better understand. As your guide, your wish is my command...
Green - The end of a golf hole. Where the flagstick and cup are located and where a golfer will putt to end the hole.
Pin or flag - This is the marker/pole on the green with a flag. It indicates where the hole is. When you are finally on the green, you take the flag out of the hole and putt (roll the ball into the hole).
Hazard - This can be many things, water, rocks, cactus, bushes, and/or environmentally protected areas. Specifically, these are areas or objects that make it hard to get a clean shot. They are usually marked with red or yellow stakes. You can play out of any hazard except the environmental ones, as long as your club doesn���t touch anything. If your club touches any hazard, that is a penalty. The alternative is to take a drop (see below). And, yes, you can play out of water as well. It happens.
Out of bounds - These areas are marked with white stakes or poles. They are usually used to protect the yard to a residence or the area outside of the golf course. If you hit a shot out of bounds - beyond those stakes, you would have to take a drop (again, see below) and play your shot over from where you last hit it.
Drop - This is a penalized do-over. Though usually used when you have lost a ball, you can take a drop even if you haven���t lost your ball. A drop is considered unplayable. This is a one stroke/shot penalty. So, say you hit your 2nd shot out of bounds. You will "drop" a ball from where you last hit. To mark your spot, hold the ball shoulder high and let it go. As long as the ball has not bounced closer to the green, it���s considered now in play. This drop is considered your 3rd shot/stroke. Your hit is your 4th shot/stroke and now you can move on with play. So, you basically lose a shot on the drop.
Provisional ball - If you hit a shot that you suspect you may not find (in the woods, out of bounds, or in a hazard), then you declare that you are going to hit a provisional ball. It is a drop with benefits. You will still lose a stroke.���but only temporarily. If you hit the provisional ball (from where you hit the original ball) and if, as you are moving forward toward the green, you find your original ball, you may play that ball. The provisional ball is now out of play and the penalty drop is removed. If, however, you do not find your ball, the provisional ball is in play and you lose a stroke. The provisional ball is used to keep pace of play, so that you don���t waste time searching for balls and replaying shots unnecessarily.
Putter - A putter is used on the greens to roll the ball in the hole. You may use any part of the head of the putter to strike the ball.
Chili dip - When you are around the green and a short shot is needed to get up to the green, sometimes we all lose focus. You may take up too much turf. That turf may go flying further than the ball. This is the dreaded miss-hit called the chili dip or ���laying sod.���
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