Ahhh ... Spring! Or not?

I'm hoping (with fingers crossed) that today's warm weather is a sure sign of things to come. Last week I got my hopes up about the warm, dry weather only to find it snowing Sunday morning and in the low 30's again followed by MORE RAIN!! I know we're in an El Nino year but dang ... this has got to end sometime. I know ... we could be flooded like some other areas so really we should count our blessings (so to speak).

So since we do have these soggy fairways to deal with let's talk about how to deal with them. Since the Rules of Golf DO NOT ALLOW for Lift, Clean and Cheat (as is done on the PGA Tour), you've got to know when and where you are allowed to lift and clean your ball during your round.  Here I will touch on the most common situations you might encounter.

1. On the putting surface (aka - the green)- We all know about this one. But I do see many amateurs abuse or misinterpret this rule. They seem to think that anytime they are about to putt from just around the green they can mark and clean their ball. One needs to remember that the first cut of grass next to the "putting surface" is actually called the "apron". It is sometimes called other things like "frog hair" "semi-green", etc. but rest assured that it is NOT the putting surface and thus you cannot mark and lift/clean your ball there... UNLESS ...
2. Your ball is embedded "IN IT'S OWN PITCH MARK" on any "Closely mown area through the green". First we need to understand what area is defined as "Through the green". This would be the area from the Teeing area (aka- Tee Box) down to but not including the putting surface, nor any marked hazards (water, sand, etc.). Then you need to consider what is a "closely mown area". This would basically be the "fairway" part of the hole being played. This does not include the "rough" (primary or secondary). So if your ball is embedded in it's own pitch mark in the fairway, on the apron, or even on the tee box (come see me for lessons if you encounter this problem) you can lift, clean and place it with in one club length no closer to the hole with no penalty incurred. If your ball is embedded but lies in the rough or any hazard you must play it as it lies including all attached real estate (dirt), OR .. you always have the option of declaring an "unplayable lie" and can then take the appropriate measures (i.e. drop) in accordance with the Rules of Golf. When you take the penalty stroke for an unplayable lie then you can can clean your ball prior to taking your drop. WARNING: Once you have taken your drop and the ball stops in a manner following the Rules of Golf, THAT BALL IS IN PLAY... meaning you cannot pick it up to clean it off! So ... word up ... clean your ball BEFORE you take that drop! Remember, if you do not mind the extra penalty stroke, you can declare an unplayable lie pretty much at anytime you wish (except on the putting surface) but no other person can advise you to do so, not even a rules official in a tournament. The only person who can advise you on this matter would be 1) your caddy or 2) your playing partner in a Match Play competition. Any other situation would incur penalty strokes for taking advice during play. (But that's another set of rules altogether).

3. Lastly there's the situation involving "Ball Identification". We've all had times where there's so much mud on you ball you're not really sure if it's yours or not. If you have this come up, you are allowed to mark your ball, lift and clean the dirt and debris for identification purposes. Once you've determined it's your ball (here's the tricky part), you must recreate the original lie. This means that, yes, you must pack the dirt back around your ball to the best of your ability, so as to recreate the original lie of the ball. (Dang, if it had stayed in it's original pitch mark you'd be free and clear huh?). If you determine that it's NOT your ball, but it's a fellow competitor's ball you simply put the ball back where it previously lay with no penalty for you or the other player. You were simply an outside agency at that point and they now have a clean ball.

Now here's where honesty really comes into play. Let's say you and your fellow competitor both hit balls in the fairway but one is covered in mud. It should be fairly easy to discern whose ball is who's. Now let's say, you and your fellow competitor are both in the fairway but both balls are covered in mud. You have a couple of options. You can both go check a ball at the same time and if you both have the wrong ball then both of you replace the ball but it's already cleaned so you both come out ok ... or if you both find that you have uncovered you own ball you both have to recreate the muddy ball lie... or only one of you check a ball and if it's your own you recreate your lie and your partner leaves his where it lay and if it's you buddy's ball he get's a clean ball and you get a muddy ball. I know it sounds far-fetched but it's an ethical dilemma that sometimes comes up. The honesty part some into play when two people agree to "check" each others ball so that both players wind up with a clean ball. This is something that you have to deal with yourself. Golf is, after all, a game of integrity that is "self-governed". When it comes to dirt on your ball, I say just "take your lumps" Yeah, I know, I know..

Yes, there are other technical situations involving "relief" during a round but I wanted to cover the most common situations that one might encounter. If you have any questions about the golf swing or the rules of golf, send me an email at gary@glbgolf.com

Until next time, keep it low and slow.

Gary