Swing by Ridgemark: Director of Golf Bruce Lewis returns to the
sports pages for some golf tips and rules questions surrounding the
game
We are very excited to be bringing you some golf tips, rules questions and answers, interesting insights on golf equipment and some funny quotes or stories. If you have any questions or information about locals scoring a hole-in-one, please send me an e-mail at: [email protected]
I am looking forward to writing for you every other week.
Rules Question
Pat Larkin and John Souza were playing the uphill, par-3 8th hole on the Diablo Course at Ridgemark last month. Pat was not able to find his tee shot, as his ball landed to the right of the green and it bounced off the hill, towards the green. After looking for Pat’s ball for the five minutes allowed by rule, Pat started back to the tee to put another ball into play, under Rules 27.1.
John then discovers that Pat’s original ball was in the hole! Does Pat’s hole-in-one count? What is the ruling? The answer is found at the end of the column.
Wet Golf Balls
For all the “Dawn Patrol” golfers playing in the morning dew, and for the rest of us playing throughout the rainy season, water on the golf ball will affect the ball flight.
When the golf ball is wet, the water reduces the backspin, the sidespin, and the lift of the flight of our shots. The ball will fly straighter, lower and will land with less backspin.
We usually don’t notice the lack of backspin because the fairways and greens are wet, and this slows the ball at impact. All of these factors will cost you distance on your shots, so plan to use at least one more club than normal.
Also, with the greens wet, your putts will need more power and the breaks will be less than normal.
Go Balers!
The Ridgemark Golf & Country Club has started hosting the San Benito High boys golf team under head coach Chris Branon this spring, as well as the SBHS boys tennis team under the direction of head coach and tennis pro Chris Yoder.
Golf Quote
“The best advice I can offer for playing a ball out of water is — don’t.”
— Tony Lema
Rules Answer
According to Rule 1:1 and the Definitions, the play of the hole was completed when Pat’s golf ball dropped into the hole for a hole-in-one.
