For more information about Education, contact:

Michelle Haag Education@ewgala.org

Well, ladies, summer has come and gone, fall is under way with the holidays not too far in the distant future.  Hopefully, everyone had a good summer and had the opportunity to play golf as much as each person wanted, whether it be an 18-hole round of golf, a quick 9-Is-Enough or anything in-between.  As with my dogs Annie B. and Dinah, we normally don’t get to do the things we enjoy as often as we would like. Twelve EWGA members made the annual trek to Oregon to play in the Pacific Amateur Golf Tournament.  This is the 5^th year for several of us, with others ranging from being the newbies to 4-year veterans.  I’m not going to describe the tournament; it will be handled by someone else.  But, I would like to share an experience on the last day, an 18-hole round that took approximately 3.5 hours to complete.  This experience was incredible since most 18-hole rounds in So Cal take between 5-6 hours.  This allowed us ample time to relax, eat lunch and root for several of our favorite college football teams prior to departing to the airport for the flight home. Fortunately the 6 members of EWGA were in the first 2 groups off the 1^st tee of the day…there was no one in front to slow down play.  This was a significant factor, but the play of the gals also helped expedite play.   I didn’t believe that an 18-hole round could be played in such a short time, while not feeling rushed.  As was indicated in previous articles several key factors influenced the play, while everyone had a good time.  Some of the factors were:

• All players played ready golf, which is a key element to eliminate slow play Players quickly exited the green so the group behind could ‘hit up’ Each player assisted others to tend the flag, looking for balls, and raking bunkers to name a few When we walked to the ball each player normally took 2-3 clubs to ensure the correct club was available, thus not having to return to cart to retrieve another club The score cards were normally updated after arriving at the next green, while others prepared to tee off
• Clubs were immediately put away or carried to the next green and then returned to the bag

 With winter right around the corner, it doesn’t mean ‘put the clubs away’ because it is too cold.  In fact, with our gorgeous So Cal weather it’s actually time to review our equipment and maybe get new grips, upgrade, or get your existing clubs fitted by a professional club fitter and return to the golf course.   

Unfortunately, winter doesn’t mean fewer people on the courses in So Cal, thus, there won’t be too many 3.5-hour rounds.  But, it is a time in which we can all work on our game, request for Christmas/Hanukah/birthday gifts of warm and cold weather golf equipment (the proper clothing really makes a much more enjoyable round).  It is also a time in which we can learn a few more rules or refine our etiquette on the course.  “Hit ‘em straight and long”.

• Drive the cart all the way around the green toward the next tee.  Bags and pull carts should also be carried or rolled to the far site of the green to ensure a seamless exit.  DO NOT drive or roll pull carts on the green.
• Golfer closest to the flagstick tends the flagstick (pulls the flagstick out and sets to side – out of everyone’s line).
• Avoid stepping on putting lines – this includes both sides of the hole – do not step on the line where a competitor’s ball may roll if the putt is not made.
• Avoid stepping near the hole.
• Avoid casting a shadow over the hole.
• The first golfer finished on a hole retrieves and replaces the flagstick (after the other golfers putt out).

While on the green there are a few rules that we should all be aware of also:

• Hitting the flagstick when on the green, 2 stroke penalty.  Hitting the flagstick from anywhere off the green however is no penalty.
• Mark a ball prior to picking the ball up – 1 stroke penalty if ball moved, turned etc without marking – rule 16-1b
• Replace ball in exact spot – 2 stroke penalty.
• Don’t test the surface by scraping it or rolling a ball – 2 stroke penalty.
• You may remove loose impediments from your line of putt provide nothing is pressed down – 2 strokes.

I’ve named this segment after my boxer Annie B (named because she was found as an orphan & a friend wanted to name her Beatrice – which didn’t seem fitting for such a cute, tough puppy – so I comprised – thus Annie B).  Annie B loves to play & run, while Dinah her kennel sister loves to play ball.  The 2 love to play, but while watching them, they have established their own rules & etiquette.  In golf, the rules have been established for us by the USGA.  The rules and etiquette are equal partners of importance while playing golf.

Golf season is well under way, though California didn’t have much of a winter this year, and the holidays are behind us.  The early day-light-savings also gives us more daylight to play and practice.  Hope each of you has had the time to get out and begin hitting a few balls, either on the range or a course.

EWGA Headquarters has changed the date of the LA Chapter championship.  It’s in April instead of June, thus it’s even more important to begin reviewing the rules to ensure we all have fun.  See the EWGA-LA website for details of date, time and course.

Rules of the game are made to help ensure we all have fun playing.  Etiquette is also an important aspect of the game.  In fact, the USGA feels etiquette is important enough that they put suggestions at the front of every Rule Book.  Thus, it seems appropriate that we start Annie B’s Corner with key etiquette reminders. 

The number 1 problem in golf is slow play.  Pace of play is an important facet of the rules and isn’t just a beginner’s problem.  Some key areas to help pace of play are:  always be ready when it’s your turn – plan your shot while approaching your golf ball or when others are playing their shots.  To allow the next group to approach the green – exit quickly, carry clubs to next tee box and then put them away in your bag, in addition, record your scores on the way to the next tee box, anywhere but on the green.

Always be considerate of others.  Don’t talk, move or stand near a player about to play a stroke.  Always leave the course in better condition than you find it.  Repair divot holes, repair ball marks on the putting green and rake a bunker after playing out of it.

Some key rules to remember are:

• Lost or Out-of-Bounds

·         Be sure to clearly identify your ball.  If you cannot identify it as yours, it’s lost.

·         Penalty lost ball – 1 stroke & must drop as near as possible to where the original ball was last played.  To save time, if you think the ball may be lost or out of bounds – play a provisional ball.  Be sure to inform your playing partners that you are playing a provisional. Rule 27-1

• Water Hazards

·         A water hazard is any lake, sea, pond, river or ditch, or other open water course.  All ground and water within the hazard is part of the water hazard.  If the ball touches the hazard line it is considered in the hazard.  You MUST NOT ground your club in the hazard.  Touching the ground with hand or club is 2 stroke penalty, rule 13-4.  Do not move any loose impediments in the hazard – 2 stroke penalty, rule 13-4.

·         There are 2 types of markings: yellow lines/stakes and red lines/stakes for lateral water hazards.

·         Yellow markings – there are 3 options – rule 26-1

1.       Play the ball where it lies with NO penalty

2.       Use the stroke & distance option playing next stroke from the spot where the original ball was last played – 1 stroke penalty

3.       Drop a ball behind the hazard along a line formed by the hole & the point where the ball last entered the hazard – 1 stroke penalty

·         Red Markings – lateral water hazard – is a water hazard or part of a water hazard so situated that it is not possible or is impracticable to drop a ball behind the water hazard. – 5 options – rule 26-1

1.       Play the ball where it lies - NO penalty.

2.       Use the stroke and distance option by playing your next stroke from the spot where the original ball was played, 1 stroke penalty.

3.      Drop a ball behind the hazard along a line formed by the hole and the point where the ball last entered the hazard, 1 stroke penalty.

4.      Drop within 2 club-lengths of point crossed (entered) hazard, no nearer the hole – 1 stroke penalty.

5.      Drop within 2 club-lengths on opposite site of water hazard, no nearer the hole – 1 stroke penalty.

• Play 9-hole executive-length and 18-hole par-3 courses all around Los Angeles
• Play golf on a regular schedule with other new golfers
• Gain confidence and on-the-course savvy
• Bridge the gap from driving range or lessons to a regulation 18-hole golf course
• Meet the EWGA-LA Board Members. Along with your event coordinator, members of our Board of Directors participate in every NINE-IS-ENOUGH! event

• Brush up on your short game
• Play a quick 9 holes when you can’t get away for a full 18
• Support our new golfers, help show them the ropes
• Network and meet new friends
• AVOID house cleaning or running errands... you're busy golfing!

• Short Game
• Sand Play
• Putting
• Rules of Golf
• Etiquette of Golf

• Desert Cities / Palm springs
• Orange County
• San Diego
• Santa Barbara

These tournaments feature individual stroke scoring over multiple days to determine a winner. They often divide players into flights based on their handicaps, and award winners within each flight. While EWGA-LA offers a Chapter Championship competition in this format each year, other opportunities are available to you as well.

EWGA-LA CLINICS Provided Through Participating Partners

EWGA-LA invites you to take advantage of the following special clinics to further develop your golf game. They are provided at facilities throughout the metropolitan Los Angeles area by our partner organizations, with discounted rates to EWGA members.

LPGA Golf Clinics for Women

Created in 1991, the LPGA Golf Clinics for Women were one of the first events of their kind for businesswomen and remain an industry leader. This series achieves a dual purpose: to help women become more comfortable with golf, both as a sport and as a business tool; and to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the LPGA's official national charity since 1992. For more information on the clinics and the clinic schedule, contact The Jane Blalock Company at 800-262-7888, or visit its web site at jbcgolf.com. Also, check the clinic schedule.

Body Balance for Performance

Come find out how balance and posture at address affect your swing. Join us at the Body Balance Open House on Wednesday, November 14 th for a seminar lead by Sean Ostrander. Refreshments at 6:00 pm . Presentation at 6:30 pm.

Seminar Location: 809 S. Garfield Ave. Alhambra , CA 91801 (626) 282-6720

RSVP to: knowlesme@gmail.com by Monday, November 12 th.

Find out more about Body Balance program at www.fitgolf.com