3 Jul 2018

Editorial – Mickelson Ruling Exposes Rules Confusion

By now, most of you have certainly seen Phil Mickelson putting a moving ball back up the hill on Shinnecock Golf Club’s 13th green during the third round of the U.S. Open. For making a stroke at a moving ball, the USGA penalized Mickelson two strokes under Rule 14-5, which prohibits such an act. Most people who thought Mickelson should have been disqualified believed he was guilty of a serious breach of Rule 1-2 (which says, in part, “A player must not take an action with the intent to influence the movement of a ball in play” by stopping or deflecting a moving ball). Certainly, Mickelson did stop the ball from rolling. The penalty for the breach of this rule is two strokes, although a serious breach, deemed when a player has gained a significant advantage, means disqualification.

However, there is a caveat. Exception #1 to Rule 1-2 explicitly says, “An action expressly permitted or expressly prohibited by another Rule is subject to that other Rule, not Rule 1-2.” So, we have to go to Mickelson’s action, which was to make a stroke at a moving ball, and see if another rule covers that. Since that is expressly prohibited and covered by Rule 14-5, the exception to Rule 1-2 itself says, in other words, we can now forget about anything Rule 1-2 says, nothing in Rule 1-2 can be applied, and go to the other Rule.

Others thought that Rule 33-7, where the Committee has two provisions to disqualify a player, could have been used. One says the Committee can DQ a player in an exceptional case, and the other allows a DQ for a serious breach of etiquette. One can argue that Mickelson’s case was exceptional, but the fact is a player making a stroke at a moving ball was already contemplated, thus the reason for Rule 14-5. As for a serious breach of etiquette, while Mickelson may have violated professional etiquette, he did not commit a breach of etiquette as the Rules of Golf understand them. That would involve behavior that directly negatively affected one or more competitors, such as yelling in their backswings or taking a gouge out of the green.

In the end, the USGA’s rules committee, headed by Mike Davis (who is likely the most learned and knowledgeable authority in the world when it comes to the Rules of Golf), ruled unanimously that Rule 14-5 applied in this case. It was the correct ruling and in fact a very easy ruling to make, because when it comes to the Rules of Golf, you have to take the verbiage exactly as written, and in this case there was no ambiguity in the rulebook’s language; what seems more “right” or “fair” cannot come into play.

By Mark Harman, USGTF National Course Director
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2 Jul 2018

Does Golf Need A Shot Clock?

By Mike Stevens, USGTF contributing writer

I love watching the European Tour. They are not afraid to try different things. A few weeks ago, I turned on the Austrian Open on Golf Channel one morning and as I watched a player get ready to hit a shot, a clock was ticking down on the television screen. Oh yeah, I remembered this was the tournament where a shot clock was introduced.

Each player had 40 seconds to play a shot or incur a penalty of one shot. Players were also allowed to call a timeout twice per round, giving them twice the allotted time to put the ball in play. It was fantastic, and the action was nonstop. No incessant watching a player spend several minutes preparing to hit a shot he practices about every day of his life. Two fellows taking five and a half hours to play 18 holes is ridiculous regardless of how much money is at stake.

Slow play on the professional tours is a common complaint. Maybe some drastic measures need to be taken. A look at the results of this experiment might surprise some. Round times were down significantly. Threesomes were playing in under four hours. Guess what else? Average scores were better. The winner was 16 under par. Not shocking to me. I know that when I just get up and hit the ball without much thought, I almost always hit it better. The more time, the more negative thoughts have a way of creeping in and the more anxiety. I’d like to see this tried on all tours. Maybe not for the majors, but at a routine stop, it just might make for a more interesting event.

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15 Jun 2018

Music…Good Or Bad For Golf?

By Cole Golden, WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional

At this year’s Zurich Championship, the two-man teams started their match by walking out to the first tee accompanied by the music of their choice.  Some players went for old-school rock music, while others selected today’s Top 40 hits.  Most reactions were extremely positive.  Players liked it; fans liked it.  Is this a trend that will continue?

About four years ago, I remember hearing music for the first time on the golf course.   A member added speakers to his personal golf cart.  At first I was not a fan at all.  It bothered me for some reason; maybe it was his choice of music!  Now on a Saturday at our club, almost every group has music playing, either through small speakers or installed on a personal golf cart.

This is a trend, I think, that is here to stay.  Many tour players warm up with earbuds in while listening to music.  Other amateurs want to relax and enjoy their round, adding music to the ambiance.  More often than not, new golf carts almost always include built-in speakers and USB jacks.

As with anything, music on the course can be abused.  I hope players don’t add extremely loud speakers that can be heard from one end of the course to the other.  It is also important that music lovers are respectful of other athletes who do not like distractions during their round.  As golf morphs to appeal to younger generations, music will be part of the experience.
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12 Jun 2018

Be Prepared, No Matter The Forecast!

By, Cole Golden, WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional

Last weekend, I attended the USGTF Southwest Region Championship hosted at Ridgeview Ranch Golf Club in Plano, Texas. The two-day event was held over the weekend. I left Kansas on Thursday afternoon, and prior to packing I looked at the forecast, which called for temperatures in the low 90s and ZERO chance of rain!

Saturday’s forecast was spot-on, hot and windy. While at dinner that evening, afternoon showers were added to the weather report; no big deal for our event, since we were teeing off in the morning. Sunday morning, I woke up to the sound of rain outside my hotel window. A few afternoon showers had turned into rain all day.

As you can guess, I didn’t come prepared. When I packed my car in Kansas, I removed my umbrella, extra towels, weather-proof pullover and bucket hat out of my golf bag. Why? I really don’t know. I assumed that the weather wouldn’t change that much in a few days! So when tournament director Bruce Sims said it was time to play, in the rain, I went into panic mode.

Fortunately for me, a few of my fellow playing competitors had some items I could borrow. I procured rain pants, a jacket and a few towels. Teeing off without being prepared for the weather was a horrible feeling. I was nervous about keeping my grips dry; I was a mess. It rained for the next few hours until the storms turned into a pretty nice afternoon.

On the drive back home, I laughed at myself. If this had happened to one of my students, they would have gotten a lecture! I would have told them that they need to be prepared for any type of inclement weather and that it’s better to have too much than not enough. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been playing the game. Sometimes we are reminded of the basics, like being prepared, the hard way!
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3 Jun 2018

National Golf Teachers Appreciation Day This Month

Monday, June 18, is National Golf Teachers Appreciation Day. This is the day that those who impart their knowledge and wisdom and give back to the game are recognized. Teaching golf is a noble profession, and professional instructors know well that to be successful, caring and concern for students is paramount for success.

We at the USGTF are proud to recognize all of the hardworking women and men who make this a better game for all of us. For example, USGTF national course director Bob Wyatt has traveled the globe in training and certifying golf teaching professionals, and has sacrificed a lot of home time in order to make the game better. It is for teachers like Bob that National Golf Teachers Appreciation Day is meant for, and for the many others like him.

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3 Jun 2018

USGTF Regional News: Golden Takes SW Title, Northeast Championship Up Next

USGTF regional action kicked off this past May, with the Southwest Region Championship up for grabs. Cole Golden from Wichita, Kansas, fired rounds of 74-75 – 149 to take the title at Ridgeview Ranch Golf Course in Plano, Texas. Master Lee and SW Region director and host Bruce Sims finished second at 151, with Vito Cisternino another three shots back. Other regional championships are fast approaching:

Northeast – The USGTF Northeast Region Championship will be held Friday, June 15, at Mountain View Golf Course in West Windsor Township, New Jersey. The Northeast championship regularly draws the largest number of participants of any USGTF regional event with over 40 players. All WGTF members, regardless of residence or level of membership, are eligible to play. For more information, please contact Northeast Region director Bob Corbo at (609) 580-5997 or through email at bcgolfcoach@gmail.com. The entry fee is $165 and includes golf and prizes. Participants will play from separate tees based on age and gender.

Northwest – The USGTF Northwest Region Championship will be held Thursday and Friday, July 26-27, at Haggin Oaks golf complex’s MacKenzie Course in Sacramento, California, with region director Bert Jones serving as the host. The entry fee of $199 includes golf and prize money, and division play will be based on the number of entrants. To enter, send your name, age, gender, telephone number, email address and a check for $199 to Bert Jones, USGTF NW Region Director, 9722 Rim Rock Circle, Loomis CA, 95650. The entry deadline is July 1.

Southeast – The USGTF Southeast Region Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 28-29, at Shingle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, with region director Mike Stevens serving as the host. Shingle Creek Golf Club was designed by the Arnold Palmer Design Company. Senior golf course architect Thad Layton says, “We set out to do something resolutely different at Shingle Creek. Orlando is a golf town and our backyard. As such, we sought to build a golf course that would inspire and challenge every type of golfer. Through a hands-on approach and countless hours on site, we handcrafted a golf course with design features reminiscent of some of the finest classic golf courses in the world.”

A prize fund of $1,000 and the Southeast Trophy is assured with a field of 12 players, and divisions by age will be offered. It is also a good opportunity to catch up with fellow members and plan future events for the section. The entry deadline is July 15. If you have any questions, contact Mike Stevens at ams1127@msn.com. The entry fee is $185 and entries should be sent to the USGTF National Office at USGTF, 1295 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie FL, 34952, or you may call the office at (888) 346-3290.

Central – The 2018 USGTF Central Region Championship will be held at Pine Knob Golf Club in Clarkston, Michigan, on Saturday and Sunday, August 4-5, with region director Brent Davies serving as the host. The first tee time Saturday will be at 12:00 noon and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. The entry fee of $199 is for two days of golf, cart, range, prize money, and lunch after the Sunday round, with monies paid out on the gross and net two-day totals. Practice rounds will be available after 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 3, for $40. To enter, please send your $199 entry fee to: Brent Davies, 5223 Parview Dr., Clarkston, MI 48346.

Pine Knob is an upscale public course with 27 holes, tree-lined fairways, water, bunkers, great greens, and is an outstanding place to play. Hotel deals will be available at the Olde Mill Inn of Clarkston (some may remember this location from the 2015 Kelly Cup), a rustic lakefront look with an up-north feel. These rooms will go very, very fast! Participants will need to call (248) 623-0300 or go online at www.oldemillinnofclarkston.com to book. One-person rooms start at $65, two-person rooms at $85, and it is not too early to book. Clarkston is located 45 miles northwest of Detroit right off I-75; a 75-minute drive from the Blue Water Bridge; 60 minutes from Windsor, and 90 minutes from Toledo.

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3 Jun 2018

USGTF National Junior Championship Slated

USGTF member Bob Myers is hosting the USGTF National Junior Championships Tuesday, August 21, at Beekman Golf Course in Hopewell Junction, New Jersey. The tournament will be 27 holes with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start for boys and girls ages 16-18, while 18 holes will be contested starting at 11:00 a.m. for boys and girls ages 13-15. Participants must be recommended by a USGTF professional. The entry fee is $90 for the 16-18 age group and $75 for the 13-15 age group, and includes the tournament, tournament merchandise, range balls, snacks at the turns, awards and dinner at the ceremony. USGTF members are encouraged to hold regional qualifying events at their facilities and have the qualifiers play in the national championship event. For more information, please contact Myers at (845) 226-7700 ext. 1, or he can be reached on his cell phone at (845) 392-1709.
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usgtf harvey penick golf teacher certified golf instructor pga
3 Jun 2018

Nominations Now Accepted For Harvey Penick Trophy

Nominations for the 6th annual Harvey Penick Trophy for Excellence in Golf Teaching are now being accepted. Harvey Penick was one of America’s earliest great teachers, and his influence lives today.

The award is based on teaching accomplishments, service to the golf community and to the game in general. All USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professionals and Master Golf Teaching Professionals, except past winners, are eligible. Nominations (including self-nominations) may be made through email at info@usgtf.com or through regular mail to the USGTF National Office at 1295 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 7, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

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3 Jun 2018

“PRO” File – Touring Professional Cary Middlecoff

Quick – name the top 10 all-time winners on the PGA Tour. Names like Snead, Nicklaus, Woods, Hogan and Nelson quickly come to mind, with Casper and Hagen not far behind. But sitting there in 10th place is a name that seems to be forgotten among modern golf fans, and that name is Dr. Cary Middlecoff. Middlecoff was, in fact, one of the most dominating players of his era. Three times he won six tournaments in a year (1949, 1951, 1956) and won more tournaments than anyone during the 1950s. He was a multiple major winner, capturing the U.S. Open in 1949 and 1956 and the Masters in 1955. Although he is seemingly lost to history today with hardly any mention by golf pundits and writers, he was, according to the New York Times, a “glamorous figure” in his prime. Upon his retirement from professional golf, he became a television commentator in a career that lasted 18 years. Middlecoff completed dentistry school and was commissioned in the Army as a dentist, but when he won a tour event as an amateur, he quickly gave up filling cavities for filling golf holes with birdies. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 77.
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3 Jun 2018

Editorial – Hooray for Recognizing that Women Might Like Golf

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club just unveiled a new Women in Golf Charter as a drive to encourage more women and girls to play the game and work in the industry. Only a couple of centuries too late, but at least they have acknowledged that their behavior toward the fair sex has been woeful over the years. The new executive director of the R&A, Martin Slumbers, has thrown his full support behind the effort, which is nice to see from an organization that didn’t even allow women into their clubhouse. Men have a right to have their own club as do women, I get it. But there have been too many times when men have purposely discouraged females from taking up the game.

If growth is an objective – and it is, according to everyone associated with the sport – then getting more women and girls to play would seem a no-brainer. Nice to see Augusta National adding a women’s amateur tournament next year and their fantastic support of the Drive, Chip and Putt event. We need as many major golf associations and leaders to push such efforts. Every initiative needs champions to push to a next level. Looks like the effort is taking place. Let’s hope it bears fruit.

By Mike Stevens, USGTF Member, Tampa, Florida
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