PRESORT STD FREE DECEMBER U.S. Postage PAID COPY 2011 Issue The source for northwest news Port Townsend, WA Permit 262 Lee, Williams honored as Players of the Year Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash. (right) and Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho (far right) are the PNGA’s Women’s and Men’s Players of the Year. For more see inside this section.

WHAT’S NEW NW courses win IN NW GOLF Golfweek honors A pair of new Pacific Northwest golf courses are among the top new courses to have opened since 2010 says GolfWeek

Magazine. NW professionals Old Macdonald (right), one of the Ban- don Dunes Resort courses is ranked No. have mixed results 1 on the list. The listing of courses takes into account courses which opened in 2010 at qualifying schools and 2011. The course was designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina. Several professionals from the Salish Cliffs in Shelton, Wash. (far right) Pacific Northwest had a chance to is ranked eighth and opened for play this move on in qualifying schools for fall. Gene Bates was the architect. the PGA Tour and Champions Tour but most came up short. At the second stage of the PGA Tour just Jason All- red of Ashland, who currently lives Destination: Salish Cliffs Golf Club Pacific Northwest in Arizona, was the last Northwest pro to make it through to the final stage, which will be held this month golf shows set the in Palm Springs. Northwest professionals who missed out on the final stage of dates for 2012 qualifying included Andres Gon- zales of Olympia, Craig Kanada of Portland, Corey Prugh of Spokane, shows in Spokane, Alex Prugh of Spokane, Derek Berg of Seattle, Jeff Quinney of Eugene and Chris Killmer of Bellingham. Portland, Seattle At the Champions Tour qualifying school, Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo, Golfers around the Pacific Northwest finished tied for 48th. He needed to will be treated to a golf fest in the month finish in the top five to earn exempt of February with three golf shows taking status for next year. center stage. Golf shows in Portland, Seattle and Spokane will be held during the month giving golfers an idea about what is new for Mount Si Golf Course the 2012 golf season. The shows in Portland and Seattle will helps with donations kick off the show season as both shows are scheduled for the same weekend, Feb. 10- Mount Si Golf Course in Sno- qualmie, Wash. is doing what it can 12, 2012. to help out needy families with food The Portland Golf Show will be held at and toy donations. the Oregon Convention Center and feature The course is continuing its an- plenty of things to see and do. See www. nual Holiday Food and Toy Drive portlandgolfshow.com for more informa- this winter. Any golfer who brings tion. in a nonperishable food item or un- The Seattle Golf and Travel Show will wrapped present will receive a good take on a new look as the golf show has discount to play golf at Mount Si in partnered with the Seattle travel Show for December, January and February. three days. See www.seattlegolfshow.com Food donations will be given to the for addition information. Helping Hand Food Bank while toys The Spokane Golf Show will wrap up will be given to family and children the show season with a two-day run at the in need. Golf is as little as $10 with Spokane Convention Center Feb. 19-20. See Now that it is open, Salish the donations. Call the course at www.spokanegolfshow.com for more. 425.888.1541 for more info. Cliffs in Shelton, Wash. is earning rave reviews from everyone. In fact, the course has been voted Northwest Golf Shows Here is some information on golf shows in Rules Quiz one of the top new courses to the Pacific Northwest. open in 2011 (see story above). Please note: Virtually all of the changes made by • Seattle: Seattle Golf and Travel Show the USGA implemented this year will come into play The course, owned and operated will take place Feb. 10-12, 2012 at the Cen- for most golfers on virtually every round they play. by the Squaxin Island Indian Tribe, turylink Event Center. See www.seattlegolf- Some long held procedures and outcomes have show.com for more. changed and not only would a penalty apply now but is a gem created by Gene Bates. • Portland Portland Golf Show is set for in some cases penalties will no longer apply. The course is located 20 minutes Feb. 10-12, 2012 at the Oregon Convention Center. See www.portlandgolfshow.com for • A player searching for their ball in a hazard from Olympia and 70 from Se- more. (bunker or water hazard) touches and moves loose attle. See inside for more. • Spokane: The Spokane Golf Show will impediments and accidently moves the ball covered take place Feb. 19-20, 2012 at the Spokane by loose impediments. What is your ruling? See Page Convention Center. Check out www.spokan- 2 for the answer. egolfshow.com for additional information.

Printed in U.S.A. • • • INSIDE GOLF NEWSPAPER • • • ©All Rights Reserved • Page 2 • • Inside Comments • • Inside Golf - December Issue 2011 • There will be plenty of Northwest flavor on professionals tour for the 2012 season You know when you open the daily newspa- pers and they have the results of professional golf tournaments in the scoreboard section, some of the names are highlighted. That means that the newspapers are Bob Marlatt pointing out how the professionals from the Publisher Pacific Northwest fared that week. Through the years, there have been bold names on the Steve Turcotte PGA Tour, Champions Tour, Nationwide Tour Editor-Advertising and the LPGA Tour. S teve In 2012, look for plenty of bold names.

The Pacific Northwest will be well repre- Turcotte Kathy Marlatt sented on every tour in 2012. Operations Manager On the PGA Tour four players finished well 50 and will play on the LPGA Tour next year. within the top 125 to earn their playing cards Allison Hanna of Portland will also play. for next year, including Ben Crane of Portland, Molly Arronsson, who graduated form the Contributing Writers Jeff Coston, Robert Garrigus of Gresham, Ryan Moore University of Washington in 2010, has made of Puyallup and Kyle Stanley of Gig Harbor. Kathy DeNeui, Mike Peluso, it to the final stage of LPGA Qualifying this Brett Wilkinson But look for other familiar names like Fred month. Cartoonist: Harold Bluestein Couples of Seattle, Kirk Triplett of Pullman to Remember, when you open your daily compete. sports page check out those golf results. Paige Mackenzie Subscription rates: And don’t forget about Bremerton native Hopefully there will be plenty of bold names $17-one year and $30-two Troy Kelly who earned his 2012 PGA Tour card near or around the top of the leaderboard. years (U.S. funds). by finishing 11th on the Nationwide Tour in • OK, if you haven’t been to Bandon Dunes, 2011. The top 25 advanced to the big show. now just might be the time after the resort Unsolicited articles and photos are On the Nationwide Tour, players like Andres moved into first place inGolf Digest’s listings welcome, however we will accept no Gonzales of Olympia, Richard Lee of Bellevue, of the country’s top golf destinations. liability for their loss or damage, and will Jeff Gove of Seattle should be among the When the magazine did its survey in 2009, only return them if prior arrangements contenders. Bandon Dunes was ranked third behind Pebble have been made with the publisher. The Champions Tour has three solid players Beach and Sea Island, Ga. from the Northwest in Couples, Bob Gilder But now, with the opening of the Old Mac- Courier Address from Corvallis and Peter Jacobsen from Port- donald Golf Course and a new par-3 course, 460 Dennis Blvd land. Bandon Dunes has enough golf to keep you Port Townsend, WA 98368 On the LPGA Tour, three players with busy during your entire stay. Northwest connections guaranteed them- Bandon Dunes opened for play in 1999 Mailing Address selves spots at virtually every tournament next P.O. Box 1890 with its Bandon Dunes Course but now has Port Townsend, WA 98368 year by finishing in the top 90 on the 2011 five courses. money list. Go see what all the fuss is about. Phone Jimin Kang, who attended King’s High (360) 379-4080 School in Seattle along with Wendy Ward Steve Turcotte is editor of Inside Golf who lives in Edwall, near Spokane, and Paige Newspaper. He can be reached at sdturcotte@ E-mail Address Mackenzie from Yakima all finished in the top comcast.net Ryan Moore [email protected]

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Rules Answer Now under the revisions of Rule 12-2b the player incurs the penalty under Rule 18-2a. The ball must be replaced. It is permissible to move or touch the loose impediments while searching for a ball in a hazard but not move the ball in the process. If the ball was covered by loose impediments and they were moved to find and identify the ball the ball must be re-covered leaving only enough of the ball visible to see it a portion of the ball. Inside Golf would like to thank rules official Paul Lucien for the rules questions.

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• Page 4 • • In THE NEWS • • Inside Golf - December Issue 2011 • Williams, Lee headline Player of UW golf teams finish fall season Year awards handed out by PNGA with solid efforts The Husky men’s golf team closed out its The Pacific Northwest Golf Association Lee’s season came just weeks later at the Service Award. Three other individuals fall portion of the schedule by finishing fifth as a (PNGA) announced the 2011 Player of U.S. Women’s Amateur at the Rhode Island - Kent Myers, Jerry Fehr and Loren Lippert team in the Gifford Intercollegiate at CordeValle the Year recipients. The winners include Country Club where she would make the - have been selected to receive the new “Lo- Golf Club. All-American Chris Williams, who Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. cal Legend” recognition. finished fourth out of 72 golfers, led Washington. Men’s category; Erynne Lee of Silverdale, • Tom Brandes had an inspiring year Bodenhamer, former CEO and executive Williams shot his third-consecutive round of 70 Wash. received the Women’s award; Tom winning his first Senior Men’s Player of the director of the PNGA and the Washington at the par-71 course to end up at 3-under 210. USC, anchored by individual medalist Steve Brandes of Bellevue, Wash. received the Year honor. After qualifying for the U.S. State Golf Association, recently left the Lim, took home the team title after compiling a Senior Men’s award; Terri Frohnmayer of Senior Open in each of the past two years, Northwest to accept a position on the senior score of -8. Lim was 11-under 202 for the win. Salem, Ore. received the Senior Women’s 2011 was a year of firsts for Brandes. He staff of the United States Golf Associa- Lim won by one shot over the world’s No. 1 award; Kevin Kwon of Pitt Meadows, BC started by winning the Senior Washington tion. ranked amateur Patrick Cantlay of UCLA. received the Junior Boys’ award; and Jisoo Open title at The Cedars at Dungeness. Bodenhamer, 50, had been head of the Oregon was third at +20 and Virginia was Keel of Coquitlam, BC received the Junior • Terri Frohnmayer had a year to PNGA since 1990 and the WSGA since fourth at +28. The No. 3 ranked Huskies ended Girls’ award. remember with an awe-inspiring victory 1992. His accomplishments include found- up one shot back of the Cavaliers at +29. • For Chris Williams, 2011 was a his- at the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur at ing the PNGA’s groundbreaking “Pacific • The Husky Men’s Golf team combined to toric year that included national and interna- the Honors Course in Chattanooga, Tenn. Northwest Golfer” magazine, serving as shoot 4-under on the back nine during the final round of the U.S. Collegiate Championship to tional recognition. In June, Williams earned Frohnmayer defeated defending champion, its publisher for 17 years; he also oversaw make a late push up the leaderboard but it wasn’t U.S. Open qualifying medalist honors at Mina Hardin of Fort Worth, Texas 2 and 1 in the publication in 1999 of the monumental enough to overtake UCLA, who walked away Gold Mountain Golf Club. His stellar play the final match for her first national title. regional golf history book, “Championships from the Golf Club of Georgia with a three would lead to his selection to play for the • Kevin Kwon, an 11th grader at Maple & Friendships: the first 100 years of the shot victory. UCLA rode birdies on the final U.S. Team at the Palmer Cup where his Ridge Secondary in Maple Ridge, BC, PNGA.” During his tenure he helped guide hole from all five of its golfers to claim team undefeated record helped the U.S. beat the blossomed in 2011 capturing the Canadian the growth of the WSGA into the ninth larg- championship honors. The Huskies ended up European Team at the Stanwich Club in Junior Boys’ Championship by 11 shots in est golf association under the USGA GHIN tied with Auburn for second with a total of 855 Greenwich, Conn. Williams would also win conjunction with the Canadian Junior Boys’ (handicap-index services) umbrella. (-9). a pair of major amateur championships with Juvenile Championship title as well. • Spurred on by a second-place individual fin- back to back victories at the 18th Sahalee • Jisoo Keel, a member of the Cana- ish from Sadena Parks, the Washington Women’s Duck men finish strong; Golf team ended the fall by taking home the Players Championship and the 45th Pacific dian National Developmental Team, had a Wong Player of the Month second-place team trophy at the Rainbow Wa- Coast Amateur in July, and he would shoot a memorable 2011 that included wins at the The University of Oregon men’s golf hine Invitational hosted by the University of 16-under par, 268 to earn medalist honors at Canadian National Future Links Pacific team was never able to completely shake off Hawaii and Kapolei Golf Course. the 109th Western Amateur, where he ended Championship and the Canadian Junior a slow start, but the No. 2 Ducks did climb Parks fired a 4-under 68 while Soo Bin Kim up finishing as a quarterfinalist. Girls’ Championship, Juvenile Division. shot 2-under 70 to help the Huskies combine to back to a third place finish at the Gifford • Erynne Lee, now 18 years old, has been go 3-under 285 for the day. Washington finished Collegiate Championship at CordeValle. awarded her second Women’s Player of the the tournament at +5 (869). Former PNGA head wins Led by its top golfer Eugene Wong (third Year honor. Lee’s accomplishments on the Top-ranked UCLA ran away from the field honor from NW media group place overall) Oregon ended the 54-hole state and national level have been nothing for a 20-stroke victory over the second-place At the 12th annual awards banquet of the event at 20-over par 1085, finishing behind short of incredible. In June, Lee won the Huskies, Northwest Golf Media Association, John champion USC (-8) and defending cham- Parks finished the 54-hole tournament at Washington State Women’s Amateur by Bodenhamer, longtime head of the Pacific pion and tournament host No. 10 UCLA. 3-under 213 to tie with two other golfers for defeating her little sister Katie Lee by two Northwest Golf Association, will be hon- For his solid fall play, Wong was named the runner-up honors. Lee Lopez of UCLA won by strokes with a 54-hole total of 3-under par, ored with the organization’s Distinguished Pac-12 Player of the Month for October. four strokes at -7. 213. The most notable performance of

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• Page 6 • • In THE NEWS • • Inside Golf - December Issue 2011 • Bremerton native Troy Kelly Tour Players With NW Ties PGA Tour • Fred Couples • Seattle • 158th on the list with $371,081 earns PGA Tour card for ‘12 • Ben Crane • Portland • 50th on the list with $1,679,595 Bremerton native Troy Kelly has earned • Robert Garrigus • Gresham • 52nd on the list with $1,503,923 his way onto the PGA Tour for the 2012 • Andres Gonzales • Olympia • 192nd on the list with $186,847 • Ryan Moore • Puyallup • 42nd on the list with $1,942,906 season by finishing in the top 25 of the • Alex Prugh • Spokane • 175th on the list with $292,070 Nationwide Tour for the 2011 season. • Michael Putnam • Tacoma • 153rd on the list with $398,400 Kelly finished 11th on the Nationwide • Jeff Quinney • Eugene • 205th on the list with $139,582 Tour money list with $248,064 earned • Kyle Stanley • Gig Harbor • 55th on the list with $1,523,657 through 19 events, easily clinching a spot • Kirk Triplett • Pullman • 211th on the list with $111,081 on next year’s PGA Tour. Nationwide Tour The top 25 money leaders from the • Andres Gonzales • Olympia • 79th on the list with $67,925 Nationwide Tour advance to the PGA Tour • Jeff Gove • Seattle • 30th on the list with $166,440 for the 2012 season. JJ Killeen was the top • Troy Kelly • Bremerton • 11th on the list with $248,064 • Richard Lee • Bellevue • 37th on the list with $143,243 money winner with $414,273 in winnings. • Brock Mackenzie • Yakima • 213th on the list with $5,213 The amazing thing about Kelly, is that he Champions Tour played in only 19 events, fewer than most • Fred Couples • Seattle • 13th on the list with $1,042,953 players on the Nationwide Tour this year. • Bob Gilder • Corvallis • 31st on the list with $534,146 And he did not win a single event, which • Peter Jacobsen • Portland • 78th on the list with $105,004 goes to show his consistency in all of the LPGA Tour events he did play in. • Allison Hanna • Portland • No cuts made Kelly suffered an injury toward the end • Jimin Kang • Seattle • 39th on the list with $243,402 of the Nationwide Tour season which cut • Paige Mackenzie • Yakima • 48th on the list with $180,383 • Wendy Ward • Edwall, Wash. • 44th on the list with $198,103 back on some of his playing. Kelly made 13 cuts in the 19 events he Troy Kelly entered this season and had a scoring aver- age of 69.68, showing why belongs on the Did you know…. PGA tour. 2015 United States Open, is offering Wash- Kelly makes a return to the PGA Tour in ington State resident golfers a new way to • By carrying a GHIN handicap through • The OGA maintains the most compre- 2012. He played on the PGA Tour in 2009 play the course in 2012 by offering annual your men’s or wom- hensive directory for places to play, events after advancing through the Q School. passes. en’s club – at any you can play in and clubs you can join. On the PGA Tour, four Northwest pros The program is called the Chambers golf facility whether Visit www.ex- finished within the top 125 to earn their Bay Community Champion Program, an public, private, or ploreoregon- cards for next year, including Ben Crane unlimited golf membership. at a driving range or golf.com today! of Portland, Ryan Moore of Puyallup, Kyle The annual pass will cost $3,000 and is other kind of facility A new version of Stanley of Gig Harbor and Robert Garrigus good through all of 2012 while the Offsea- – you are a member the site debuts of Gresham. son Pass will cost $2,000 and is good for of the WSGA, and by in January! Check it out for some terrific unlimited golf from January-May and then extension a member golf deals. Chambers Bay offers a new from October-December,. of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association. way to play golf year-round For more information, call Chambers Bay Chambers Bay Golf Course in University at 253.579.7758. Place, Wash. and the host course for the

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• Page 8 • • In THE NEWS • • December Issue 2011 - Inside Golf • Salish Cliffs Squaxin Island Tribe-owned golf course offers one of the top new courses in the United States

When Salish Cliffs in Shelton, Wash. finally opened for play in September, it was a place Salish Cliffs Golf Club that was well worth the wait. • Location: Shelton, Wash., about Salish Cliffs, designed by Gene Bates, is a 20 minutes from Olympia and 70 minutes sure award-winner offering everything stun- from Seattle. ning views to dramatic elevation changes to • Course facts: Course is owned and operated by the Squaxin Island Indian plenty of water and sand. The course had hoped Tribe and opened for play in September. to open early, but a harsh winter in 2010 put Course has been voted as one of the top those plans to rest. new golf courses for 2011 by GolfWeek “You only get one chance to make a first Magazine. Course plays to 7,269 from impression,” said head professional David the tips and par-72. Kass. “We wanted to make a great first impres- • Designer: Gene Bates. sion when we opened up.” • Rates: Winter rates will change. That, they did. Call the pro shop for more info. The course can play long (7,269 yards • Phone: 360.462.3673. from the tips) or short (5,313 yards from the forward tees). The course offers water, sand, 9 and 18, which share a 15,000-foot green. The trees, wetlands .... just about everything you clubhouse includes a full-service golf shop and would expect for a course that was voted one restaurant. of the top new courses to open in 2011. Salish Cliffs has five sets of tees. The black The course is vast. Bates had 400 acres to “tips” received a rating/slope of 74.6/137 from create his golf course and he did it in a way the USGA while the 5,313-yard forward tees that virtually every hole is set by itself and come in with a 70.7 rating and 125 slope. you rarely see other golfers. And there are no Bates got going with the project seven houses on the course. years ago with the Squaxin Island Tribe, but The course boasts 360-degree views of the project was placed on hold as the tribe the Kamilche Valley and dramatic elevation worked on other projects. Finally, three years changes, including the par-4 12th hole with a ago, Bates was given the call that the project tee box that sits on the property’s apex, some was ready to roll again. 650 feet above sea level. “The tribe was dedicated to getting this All 18 holes and the driving range/practice project done and making it a first-class facil- facility feature T1 bentgrass turf. The log and ity,” said Bates, who also designed Circling cedar clubhouse – which reflects the style and Raven Golf Club. “They called me three years structure of Little Creek Casino Resort – sits ago and I came back to help them get it done. next to a deep ravine and its wrap-around I think I spent 2 1/2 years on the property.” porch and mezzanine will overlook hole Nos. For information call 360.462.3673. Salish Cliffs in Shelton, Wash. has been named one of the top new courses for 2011.

InsideGolfNewspaper.com • December Issue 2011 - Inside Golf • • THE LESSON TEE • • Page 9 • The Lesson Tee: Over the winter months there is time to re-learn It is definitely getting into winter. De- cember through February is a block of the year where many put the clubs away. We have all heard it said, one hole at a Then again, many just go away to the sun time. This is true. To bite off the full round and keep the clubs in hand. No matter where we are and what we are doing, we is too much to swallow. Have a plan for can constantly learn about our golf game. each hole. This plan would include mental, Or should I say learn and re-learn? physical and strategy. Tom Lehman told

Playing and teaching over my lifetime I Jeff have learned and experienced much. For- me each hole is a brand new tournament. tunately or unfortunately, I’ve re-learned Coston There is no score, just golf and golf shots. a lot too. This would be about my game, We would all do better if there were no the game and other’s games. measure in our minds of score and just Here are some of my re-learned, read- tight muscles, are too attached to results justed and recommitted stuff in 2011. and try not to miss or not hit the ball in played the game one shot and one hole First for me, and very important, is bad spots. Golf becomes hard work. at a time. attitude and mindset. The attitude/mind- The more we make a decisive deci- set would especially pertain to the course sion on the shot and club, and trusted and tournament play. The concept, “try this decision with a consistent relaxed me each hole is a brand new tournament. less.” Yes, less is more. “Care less, try waggle and routine; fully committed to There is no score, just golf and golf shots. less, trust more, more fun, relax more.” what they want and the target; good stuff We would all do better if there were no Usually, in sports and life, the harder we will happen! measure in our minds of score and just try the better we do. Bear down, grind I won a few tournaments this year by played the game one shot and one hole it out, is something we are told. being patient. I had to be. In fact, at at a time. Not in golf! I’ve had the most suc- the Rosauers a couple of years ago in I have learned much from Rotella over cess when I have let go of control to get Spokane, patience was a must. I shot the years. I’ve spent time with him per- control. Much of the time I consciously one over par the first nine holes. I think sonally and read all his books. I would relax my arms, shoulders and mind to play I was 12 or 14 under at the end of the suggest reading more and applying what my best golf. This year at the Northwest tournament. I just tried to be my own you read of Rotella. He is very practical. Open I asked myself, “How would you hit best friend. I tried to treat myself like I Whether you play this winter or hang this shot if it didn’t matter?” “Hit it like would treat a friend if I were their caddy. them up, the Rotella read or the re-read you don’t care where it goes.” That is a I would say the correct thing rather than will serve you well. scary concept. Especially when we are beating myself up over missed opportuni- I have been doing the re-read and re- trained to care so dearly about results. ties. Finally, things turned around. applying myself. This makes golf easier and even fun We have all heard it said, one hole at a rather than a test. Bob Rotella says; time. This is true. To bite off the full round Jeff Coston is an 12-time Pacific “Play to play great rather than not to play is too much to swallow. Have a plan for Northwest PGA Player of the Year. He poorly.” If golfers took an introspective each hole. This plan would include mental, can be reached at Semiahmoo Resort for look they would see most try hard, have physical and strategy. Tom Lehman told appointment by calling 360.201.4590.

InsideGolfNewspaper.com • Page 10 • • IN THE NEWS • • Inside Golf - December Issue 2011 • This winter, commit to getting that swing better I’ve heard and witnessed it each and every one else is just getting their act together. program. And, not to mention, better fitness will make of the 24 years of my professional career: Most If you do not have access to a driving range or you sharper on the mental side of the game as well! amateurs wait until March to start getting their golf indoor facility, make 50-100 practice swings, a couple It’s amazing how much more concentration you have game in gear for the upcoming golf season. I keep of days a week, in your garage or basement. It’s ironic with everything, golf game included, when you are preaching that winter lessons and practice will promote to think that most golfers make a more fundamentally engaging in a regular physical fitness program. better golfing results come spring and summer. Those sound golf swing on a practice swing because of the Lastly, the most important thing you can do is to that listen to this advice, tend to have more fun and ‘hit impulse’ when the golf ball is present. One of my make up a plan for winter golf improvement and stick better scoring. Those that don’t, tend to struggle for students, whom at 72 years of age is a very good to it. The mass majority of my students who do this several weeks or months until achieving the results Brett player, hardly ever hits balls at the driving range. are light years ahead of their counterparts. they’re after. ilkinson Instead, he practices at our indoor facility weekly and They’re the ones that usually start out the golf Three and half years ago, I made the decision makes 25-50 practice golf swings in his basement in season strong and keep getting stronger as the to teach indoors because I wanted an ideal learning W front of his sliding glass door - every morning. This season progresses. And, they’re the ones that are environment for my students, state-of-the art video Stop saying that this season is the one that you’ll guy consistently shoots close to his age time and time usually physically and mentally stronger the last 3-5 equipment at my beacon call, and the luxury of not commit to getting better and just do it! Take a few again. holes of every golf round - especially in tournament having to wear rain gear for countless swing ses- lessons this winter! Schedule them 2-3 weeks apart Also, it’s a good idea to think about your golf golf! So, instead of watching them out perform you sions in the off season. Plus, I also wanted to be in so you can work on the areas recommended for fitness. Our Titleist Performance Institute golf con- and consistently shoot lower scores than you a location where my students could practice indoors, improvement. Do your best to hit balls at the driving ditioning programs have proven the off-season is a Join them!! watch themselves on video, and ingrain good swing range or an indoor facility once or twice a week. Just wonderful time to improve your fitness, flexibility, and mechanics. Studies have shown that students who think, if you committed 1-2 hours a week practicing the stamina. Improved golf strength, stronger endurance Brett Wilkinson is the director of instruction at use video when they practice improve 3 times faster proper things this off-season, you’ll be way ahead of and energy, and better flexibility are all prominent GolfTEC in Bellevue. He can be reached for appoint- than those who do not! the game come February or March when everybody luxuries you can achieve with a regular golf exercise ments and lessons at 425.454.7956.

InsideGolfNewspaper.com • December Issue 2011 - Inside Golf • • RULES OF THE GAME • • Page 11 • Rules of the Game: You need to know when it is OK to practice before or between your rounds Last month, we covered Rule 6, entitled few other exceptions and interesting Decisions sets up and makes full shots with these balls, he “The Player.” Rule 6, and also 7, 8 and 9 are covering this Rule. In match play, if a player will be dinged two strokes for practice. collectively entitled “Player’s Responsibilities” in has lost the hole, he can continue to play out Decision 7-2/4 deals with a player who was The Rules of Golf. This month we’ll take a look the hole, even if it involves full shots and shots waiting to play and threw down some plastic at with Rule 7. out of bunkers. But he can only play one ball in practice balls and make practice strokes at them. Rule 7 is entitled “Practice,” and, as you continuous strokes to the hole. And what about Is he penalized for practice under Rule 7-2? Yes. can probably surmise, it deals with when and those holes that are adjacent to driving ranges Two strokes. where a player may practice before, during and and there are balls all over the fairway? Decision And what about the player who finds a lost ball sometimes between rounds of golf. 7-2/5 introduces a quaint expression: “casual that belongs to another player quite a distance Mike Rule 7-1 is entitled “Practice Before or Be- flicking”. away and he hits it back to him? Decision 7-2/5.5 tween Rounds”. The Rules for match play and Peluso It means that if a player is walking down a fair- lets him off the hook, since his motive was to stroke play are quite different. way littered with practice balls from an adjacent act out of courtesy rather than to practice. In match play, you are allowed to practice on driving range and “casually flicks” balls back And finally, if play is suspended, a player the competition course at any time prior to your Saturday round and the beginning of your Sun- onto the range for the purpose of tidying up the can practice anywhere – practice green, driving match. And, you may practice on the competition day round. (Interestingly enough, the Rule has fairway, there is no penalty. However, if he stops, range – except actually on the course. course between rounds if you wish. Match play, a Note to it that allows the Committee to allow as you can see, is pretty straightforward. practice before stroke play rounds or prohibit However, the Rules for practicing before or practice before match play rounds. However, between rounds in stroke play are much more this Note is rarely implemented.) restrictive. On the day of a stroke-play event, Rule 7-2 deals with practice during a round. you may not practice anywhere on the course or Basically, the only strokes you can make while test the surface of any green by rolling or putting playing a hole are the actual strokes that count a ball. You can’t even roughen the surface of a toward your score. You can’t make practice green to check for dampness or the grain. If you putts, practice chips or any other practice shots. do any of those actions, you are disqualified from If you do, it’ll cost you two strokes every time the competition. However, your caddie can go you do it. However, there are some exceptions and play the course, or you can go out and walk to this Rule. the course. But if you make even one putt, chip, You can practice putting after you’ve holed drive or any other shot, you’re DQ’d. The player out on the green you’ve just played. You can may, of course, practice chipping or putting on or also make practice chips to the green of the near the first teeing ground prior to teeing off. hole you’ve just played. And you can make In addition, if you’re scheduled to play a multi- practice chips or practice putts on or near the round competition on consecutive days, the teeing ground of the next hole before you tee same Rules apply for the subsequent rounds. For off. If there happens to be a practice putting example, if you’re playing in a Saturday-Sunday green nearby between holes, you can also competition, and you finish early Saturday practice putting and chipping there. But you can afternoon, and don’t play your second round never practice out of a bunker or water hazard, until Sunday afternoon, you can’t go out on the and the Rule never allows practicing full shots course and practice between the end of your anytime, anywhere during a round. There are a

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