Using the stripes on range balls when practicing is a very useful tool.
When you practice chipping, line up the range ball’s stripe at the flag.
If you chip properly, you should actually see the stripe spin as the ball flies in the direction you aimed.
If you can’t see the stripe, you are not swinging the clubhead toward your target. Instead the ball is flying out at an angle.
The same tip applies when you are practicing putting. When you do this, line the stripe with the hole and watch the stripe as the ball rolls toward the hole. If there is a blur instead of a solid stripe when the ball rolls, you are not stroking the ball squarely with the putter face.
Staked Trees
Why does a golfer receive relief when his ball is hit near a staked tree? And why are the trees staked? The answer is found at the bottom of the column.
Quote for Masters’ Week
“When Christ arose, God placed a Masters jacket on him,” a sign at the Woodlawn Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia said.
Brady and Obeso-Bradley Qualify
Locals Barry Brady and Chuck Obeso-Bradley qualified for the Northern California Golf Association 51st Annual Senior Championship at Spyglass Hill Golf Course at Pebble Beach.
The event will be held from April 12-13.
Good luck to both of them.
Inspired by the Masters?
If you find the Masters has inspired you to dust off those clubs and start playing again swing by Ridgemark Golf and Country Club to receive a free range token this weekend.
If you are a weekend warrior and just saw a shot that you want to add to your game, mentioned that you read my column and we will give you a free range token to get swinging.
You don’t need a green jacket to practice or play at Ridgemark Golf and Country.
Staked Trees Answer
Golfers receive relief from staked trees only if the tree or the stake affects the stance or swing of the golfer. The golfer will drop the ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief from the tree and stake, no closer to the hole, without penalty.
The course stakes trees not only for protection from the winds, but from golfers as well.
Even when a young tree can resist the winds, they may still need protection from the mighty swings of our golfers. Until the trees can hold their own against the golfers, the stakes will continue to guard the growing new trees.
