Slow Play Getting Some Attention
Slow Play or sometimes called pace of play has always been a
topic of discussion, debate and frustration both in open leisure play, league
play and tournament competition.
Remember well the many times we played leisure play at golf
package golf courses in South Carolina and the range master would come riding by
asking if we could speed up play and we would have to explain to him that we
were writing down information on how to play each hole and also taking pictures
for publication in our golf column.
It's the range master's job to keep play moving smoothly and
they always understood our reason for the slower pace.
But, then there's the golfing foursome that is either not
hitting the ball well or is hitting it all over the course...in these cases the
range master allows foursomes in back of this group to hit or play
through.
Courtesy is not always understood by some golfers and if for
reasons of slow play there should always be the offer to play
through.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) is now finally
getting into the act and has launched a new nationwide public education program
campaign to address the game's growing problem of slow play.
Hopefully this will help golf course managers resolve the
pace-of-play issue.
The campaign called 'While We're Young' was used by the USGA
to enforce stricter policies of slow play at the U.S. Open.
USGA president Glen Nager told reporters on the eve of the
U.S. Open at the Merion Golf Club that "pace of play has been an issue for
decades, but it's now become one of the most significant threats to the health
of the game."
Nager added, "five hour play rounds are common and they're
incompatible with modern life....beyond the time involved....poor pace of play
saps the fun from the game, takes too much time, frustrates players and
discourages future play."
Nager pointed out that "more than 70 percent of golfers felt
that pace of play had become a bigger problem in recent years and more than 50
percent admitted to walking off the course due to frustration over the length of
rounds."
The National Golf Foundation stated that in a recent study
"some 91 percent of serious golfers reported that they're bothered by slow play
and say that it detracts from their golf experience."
Borrowing the iconic "While We're Young" line from the
character played by actor Rodney Dangerfield in the 1980 film 'Caddyshack', the
campaign takes a lighthearted approach to encourage golfers to improve the pace
of play.
An interesting topic is that I have not ever heard anything
from local golfers about this subject in area tournaments or league
play......how's the pace of play in your league?
Ed's
Outlook
Retired Associate Justice of the New York State Appellate
Court and well known Sullivan County resident and golfer Anthony T. Kane of
Forestburgh has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hospice of
Orange and Sullivan Counties, Inc.
Justice Kane in all probability will be part of the 7th
Annual Hospice Golf Classic August 12 at the Powelton Golf Club
in Newburgh.
This tournament fills up fast and golfers are encouraged to
register early.
Cost per golfer is $200 and they may choose to play the
Scramble format or Best Ball format.
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by a barbecue
lunch at 11 a.m. A shotgun start follows at 12:30 p.m.
Following golf, a cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. with
an open bar and hors d'oeuvres, dinner at 6:30, an awards presentation at 7
p.m. followed by a golf raffle.
There will be 10 cash prizes drawn during dinner, including
a $10,000 winner.
A maximum of 600 tickets will be sole and you need to be
present to win.
To purchase a $100 golf raffle ticket, register to golf, or
secure a sponsorship, contact Gloria Alisandrella, director of special events at
845-561-5362 ext. 366 or email at gloria@hospiceoforange.com or visit the Web
site at hospiceoforange.com/golf
Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf.
Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and
tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know
at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474.
View this column at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on
facebook.
Golfing Tip
By Robert Menges
Buried Bunker Lies.
To blast the ball out of the sand, your club needs to
swing more up and down to create a steeper angle of attack.
To help illustrate, have someone
stand (or picture a wall) several feet behind the ball. In the backswing, hinge
your wrists early to get the club up more, avoiding the person (or
wall).
Also make note of the length of the
backswing. It should almost be a full swing. In order to create enough speed and
energy to blast the ball out of the sand, avoid taking a short and /or low
backswing.
From this position, you will be able
to swing the club into the sand on the downswing. It's imperative that you
strike down into the sand 1 to 2 inches behind the ball and finish with the club
low to the ground.
Amateur golfers often try to scoop or
help lift the ball out of the sand. This usually results in the club hitting the
sand too far behind the ball and either missing it completely or taking too much
sand and leaving the ball in the bunker. Or, the club misses the sand and
strikes the top of the ball, resulting in a topped shot that can go
anywhere.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan
Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for
private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he
can be reached by phone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net
The Putting
Tip
By Joe
Bermel
Here is one of the best putting
drills since "sliced bread was invented.
Drill # 2..... A Quadrant
Drill
1. Take 1 golf
ball.
2. On practice green, establish on
one hole at four foot distance only.
3. Ist putt straight
uphill.
4. 2nd putt straight
downhill.
5. 3rd putt right edge slight right
to left.
6. 4th putt left edge slight left
to right.
Every golfer has these 4 puts many
times every round. Do this drill again and again.
Make yourself make 3 consecutive
putts at each quadrant.
This will make you a better 2 putt
per hole average.
Joe Bermel is available for private
lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special
edition DVD "How To Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com
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