RULES OF THE GAME

By definition a “burrowing animal” is an animal (other than a worm, insect or the like) that makes a hole for habitation or shelter, such as a rabbit, mole, groundhog, gopher or salamander. A hole made by a non-burrowing animal, such as a dog, is not an abnormal ground condition unless marked or declared as ground under repair.

Rule 25-1

Through the green: Interference by an abnormal ground condition occurs when a ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing. If the player’s ball lies on the putting green, interference also occurs if an abnormal ground condition on the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. Otherwise, intervention on the line of play is not, of itself, interference under this rule.

Relief: Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a play may take relief from interference by an abnormal ground condition as follows: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer the hole then the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the condition and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.

In a bunker: If the ball is in a bunker the player must lift the ball and drop it either without penalty, in accordance with above except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker and the ball must be dropped in a the bunker or, if complete relief is impossible, as near as possible to the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole, on a part of the course in the bunker that affords maximum available relief from the condition; or under penalty of one stroke, outside the bunker, keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped.

TIPS FROM THE PRO – RANDY DAVIS

Wood Game tips: Many people complain about not being able to hit the ball well with their woods (or metals), and in particular their driver. From what I've seen, poor quality contact is a major problem for many of these players. Put a tee in the ground (without a ball) sticking up approximately 1 to 1.5 inches. You should be able to strike the tee consistently without hitting, or even brushing, the ground at all. If you miss the tee, or touch the ground in any way, don't wonder any longer why you can't hit your driver. Remember -- the longer the club, the more precision required. Practice this exercise until you can consistently clip the tee without touching the ground (or even the grass). Once you get quality contact handled, the feedback you get from your shots becomes meaningful. Then you can work on directional control. A very important factor in striking the ball solidly and consistently with your irons is getting the "bottom" of your swing in front of the ball (i.e., the lowest spot in the swing's arc on the target side of the ball -- see picture ). This promotes contacting the ball before the ground (this is a good idea). You can develop a feel for this by scratching a line on the ground with a tee, or making a row of tees spaced about 6 inches apart, perpendicular to your target line. Straddle the line and take divots until you consistently make the divots in front of (toward the target from) the line, or row of tees. You can certainly hit balls this way too -- with the balls on the line or between each of the tees. Once you can do this you'll hit your iron shots much more solidly and with more control.

Buddy Up!

Help out with wear and tear on the carts. If you are a single cart rider and drive up to either #1 or #10 tee boxes and there is another single rider, throw on with them and Buddy Up. If you happen to catch a group already on the course and the same scenario applies, Buddy Up when you make the turn. Every little bit helps. Failure to Buddy Up could result in additional cart fees.

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If you would like to learn more about how to help your golf game go to www.PGAProfessional.com. You will find lots of great tips that can help you lower your scores!