Archive for May, 2008


Proceeding Under Rule 26-1 or Rule 27-1

Each week I receive a rules of golf question similar to the one below. It concerns a common scenario where a golfer must be absolutely clear on whether they must proceed under Rule 26-1 or under Rule 27-1: RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “My friend and I were playing and she hit a long blind shot […]

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Woods Delays Comeback Until US Open

Tiger Woods won’t be making an early comeback after all, but he says he is still on track to take part in the US Open in two weeks time. There was talk that Woods would return from knee surgery at this week’s Memorial but the world number one, who has been out of action since […]

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Remembering Old Tom Morris

May marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Old Tom Morris. For many Morris is merely a name in the record books. An Open winner in a time when it didn’t really mean that much. But Morris was one of the pioneers that created the idea of a professional golfer as we understand it […]

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Mickelson Hits Wonder Shot En Route to Colonial Victory

Phil Mickelson sank a nine-foot birdie on the final hole to preserve his one-stroke overnight lead and win the Colonial Crown Plaza Invitational from Rod Pampling and Tim Clark over the weekend at Fort Worth, Texas. While he showed composure and confidence in nailing that crucial putt, it was an amazing Seve-esque shot on the […]

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Nicklaus Puts Tiger in a Different Era

Tiger Woods may make an earlier than expected comeback after arthroscopic surgery, with rumours abounding that he would take part in next week’s Memorial, hosted by Jack Nicklaus. Woods underwent surgery soon after April’s US Masters, where he finished second, and said he hoped to return to the PGA Tour in time for the US […]

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Open Venue Turnberry Set For Dubai Takeover

The Middle East, led by Dubai, is becoming increasingly influential in global golf. While there are no golfers of note from the region, there is, however, plenty of money. And much of this cash has gone into the greening of the desert and the recognition of golf as a vital tool to lure tourists. There […]

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Are You Clear On Rule 20-1?

This week I received an interesting question about what happens when a ball marker sticks to your putter. Weird I know, but you’ll be happy to know The Rules of Golf have every possibility covered! : RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “I have a question for you, this actually happened to me. I think it’s an […]

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Ochoa Reigns at Sybase Classic

Just a few days ago, Annika Sorenstam said she was ready to pass on the torch when she decided to announce her retirement from the LPGA Tour at the end of the season. What the Swede hadn’t realised, though, was that Lorena Ochoa had grabbed it from her months ago. Mexican Ochoa, the emphatic successor […]

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Solving The Slow Play Problem at Your Course

Like most golfer’s — I don’t like to play slowly. Of the best rounds from my past, almost all involve a very consistent pace. Almost like I was walking up to the ball, seeing my shot and then hitting it right away. Most of those rounds happened when there were very few people on the […]

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Cuba Teeing Up for Golfing Revolution

Once in a while, you find a news report about how golf is starting to gain a foothold in some far flung place in the world. I’ve read about a golf course at the foot of a volcano in Indonesia, people yelling “fore” while negotiating landmines in Cambodia and a crude form of the game […]

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Sorenstam Announces Impending Retirement

Just when we thought “Annika golf” was back for good, we are now left to cherish the twilight of one of the greatest eras in the sport – men or women. Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam, just days after winning her 72nd LPGA title, made the stunning announcement that she is to retire at the end of […]

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Playing Your Best When The Golf Course Slows Down

Its happened to everyone. You’re playing great and then wham — you hit a wall of people. The golf course slows down to a crawl and with it — so goes all your rhythm and ultimately — your patience. From there, it doesn’t take long before your scorecard is loaded with bogeys and double bogeys. […]

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Garcia Bags Players Championship

Sergio Garcia is the original Tiger catcher. After Tiger Woods’ career took off more than a decade ago, golf started looking around for others who have the talent to challenge him. Spaniard Garcia was the first one when he burst on to the scene as a 19 year old. However, Garcia is now 28 and […]

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Miller’s Time to Slam Tiger’s Grand Ambitions

Johnny Miller is the American equivalent of Greg Norman in many ways. He was an exciting player, had a shock of blond hair and the crowds loved him. Like Norman, he only won two major titles but his impact on golf during the 70s was bigger than that. He is now transferred his tenacity from […]

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Do You Understand Golf Rule 27-2a?

This week I received this question referring to Rule 27-2a, and thought it would be useful to share my reply with everyone: RULES OF GOLF QUESTION: “Hi Barry, I have a rules question that arose in our group yesterday. We were playing in an eighteen hole medal play contest. A guy in our foursome pushed […]

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