Archive for January, 2008


No Drinks or Crocodiles

Tales of alcohol – or rather the lack of it for the younger folks – and crocodiles, provided a little cheer for followers of the game over the past few days. Hoping to attract a more dignified crowd at this week’s FBR Open in Scottsdale, Arizone, organisers have decided to impose on-course drinking restrictions for […]

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Rule 8 – Advice; Indicating Line of Play

A frequently misunderstood aspect of the Rules of Golf concerns the asking for and giving of advice. The definition states: “Advice is any counsel or suggestion which could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules or on matters of […]

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Tiger Equals Palmer’s Record

The names simply keep falling off the conquered list as Tiger Woods continues his sweep of some of golf’s greatest records. Arnold Palmer is the latest legend to watch Woods emerge astride him after the Buick Invitational on the PGA Tour. Woods won his sixth Buick title on Sunday for his 62nd career victory to […]

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Can I Declare A Ball Unplayable In A Bunker?

Hi, my name is Barry Rhodes, and here is another question I received on The Rules of Golf this past week: RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “Is it true that you can declare an unplayable lie when your ball goes in a bunker? And is it true you can go back to where you hit the […]

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Rory Ready for Rollercoaster Ride

One wonders how the conversation went when Andrew “Chubby” Chandler met with Sir Alex Ferguson to find out how the Manchester United guru handles child prodigies. Chandler, agent of Northern Ireland’s boy wonder Rory McIlroy, can be commended for his thoroughness, Ferguson’s replies? We’ll never know, of course, but maybe: “Don’t let him marry a […]

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Trump Eyes Northern Ireland for Pet Project

American billionaire Donald Trump is seemingly bent on have a pet luxury golf resort project somewhere in the British Isles. Recently, the Aberdeenshire Council in Scotland rejected his planning application for a sweeping golfing facility in the area, with residents fearing the project would change the character of the place forever. Unperturbed, Trump is now […]

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Tiger Set for 2008 Entrance

It has been a long time but Tiger Woods is always worth the wait – especially if keeps to his annual promise that his game is better than ever. This week’s Buick Invitational in Lo Jolla, California is where Woods make his grand entry into 2008, eyeing his fourth straight title and, more importantly, launching […]

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Kaymer Shows The Way in Abu Dhabi

The European Rookie of the Year has grown up fast. In the first European Tour event of 2008 Germany’s Martin Kaymer showed spectacularly what he has to offer with a four-shot victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship. Although closing with a two-over-par 74, his 15-under-par total of 273 was still too good for challengers Lee […]

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Do You Know The 2008 Rules of Golf?

Have you obtained your new copy of the 2008 Rules of Golf? There are revisions to 28 of the 34 Rules. Fortunately, most of them are to improve the clarity of the Rules. However, there are some reasonably important changes, which you should familiarise yourself with, or risk being caught out on the golf course. […]

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PGA Tour Commisioner For A Day…

Most golf fans would love to be commissioner of the PGA Tour for a day. Then, we could all implement our pet projects for the betterment of the game. I for one would change two things in my one day in office. First, I would do away with Q-School completely. Second, I would make it […]

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Lifetime of Luxury for Ace Golfers

How would you like a room for life at the luxurious, seven-star Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi? Well, if you hit a hole-in-one at the seventh hole during the Abu Dhabi Championship, the room is yours for life. There is a condition you must fulfil before even entertaining the chance of teeing up on […]

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Europeans Provide Respite for Asian Tour

British Open champion Padraig Harrington, Scottish star Colin Montgomerie and homegrown KJ Choi will be among the leading names at the European Tour’s inaugural tournament in Korea from March 13-16. The furore surrounding the nearly $3 million tournament has finally settled down after receiving joint sanction from the Asian Tour. The Europeans ruffled the feathers […]

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Japanese Teen Becomes Latest “New Tiger”

The concept of “the new Tiger Woods” in their various forms have been coming in thick and fast ever since …well, the real Tiger Woods appeared on the scene more than a decade ago. We’ve had Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Michelle Wie and a host of others. The latest manifestation comes from Japan, and the […]

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Putting Into A Bunker And The Rules Of Golf

Hi, my name is Barry Rhodes and a few weeks ago Andy asked the question “Who Else Wants To Save Strokes By Making The Correct Rules Decision?” and I can report back that an incredible number of you do! In fact, if you missed it it isn’t too late to learn how you can save […]

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Fit Again Olly Hoping for More

One of Europe’s most popular golfers hopes to return to the fray of competitive action later this month. His many fans will be hoping that Jose Maria Olazabal can roll back the years and recapture the form that made him a double winner at Augusta. The major wins, the Ryder Cup partnership with Seve, have […]

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