Another deluge of rain on Friday night and Saturday morning made the course unplayable on Saturday morning, along with every other club in the area. Weekends are always the most difficult time for course closures, with not only there being more members wanting to play, but also with fewer green staff working. Decisions have to be made prior to the early start of play but you can rest assured that we do as best we can to get the course back open ASAP, as we did on Saturday lunch time. The course closed sign is the last thing I ever want to see.
Teachers pet this week has to be Jack Cooke. Jack came last year on the winter coaching and has really taken everything on board. Jack has been trying to buy a new driver from me for 3 years, but I wouldn't let him buy one as they weren't any better than his G10 he already had. But swing changes, practice and understanding have seen Jack not only increase his driver clubhead speed by 10%, but also add 20 yards plus to his drives. Coupled with a new PING G30 10 degree driver, Jack was gaining another 20 yards on top of the 20 yards he has gained by improving his technique, more than one drive going over 240 yards when last winter 200 was the target!
Ladies Dinner and Men's Dinner this week when all the prize winners are recognised - well done to all those that have won, and if you haven't been successful this year you know where to come next year - we are here to help!
The first set of the new Callaway Apex were put in play this week, Mike Cooper after the first round just said "They're lovely" another set were fitted and ordered on Sunday - not quite like Stuart's hot sausages rolls but they are going nicely! They really good looking forged irons from Callaway - I have had my current Apex irons for two years and as much though I love them ,think I might be sorely tempted with the new ones. Come in and ask to have a look/go.
The R&A and USGA 2016 edition of the Rules of Golf that takes effect on January 1. 2016 editions are now available in the clubhouse or from the Pro Shop. Among the most significant of the changes in the 2016 edition of the Rules are the following:
Withdrawal of Rule on Ball Moving after Address - Rule 18-2b (Ball Moving After Address) has been withdrawn. This means that if a ball at rest moves after the player addresses it, the player is no longer automatically deemed to have caused the ball to move. A one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 will be applied only when the facts show that the player has caused the ball to move.
Limited Exception to Disqualification Penalty for Submission of Incorrect Score Card - A new exception has been introduced to Rule 6-6d (Wrong Score for Hole) to provide that a player is not disqualified for returning a lower score for a hole than actually taken as a result of failing to include penalty strokes that the player did not know were incurred before returning the score card. Instead, the player incurs the penalty under the Rule that was breached and must add an additional penalty of two strokes for the score card error. In all other cases in which a player returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, the penalty will continue to be disqualification.
Modification of Penalty for a Single Impermissible Use of Artificial Devices or Equipment - The penalty for a player's first breach of Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Abnormal Use of Equipment) during the round has been reduced from disqualification to loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The penalty for any subsequent breach of Rule 14-3 will continue to be disqualification.
Prohibition on Anchoring the Club While Making a Stroke - As announced in May 2013, the new Rule 14-1b (Anchoring the Club) prohibits anchoring the club either "directly" or by use of an "anchor point" in making a stroke. The penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.
I'll be looking at the new rules next week and hopefully making them a little clearer.
2nd Winter Competition on Saturday - there are a few free tee times if you fancy a game. Hopefully we won't get too much of the forecasted rain and we will be golfing this weekend.
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