Lewis: When in doubt use the ‘Texas Wedge’

What club is the No. 1 choice for off-green short shots? The answer is the Texas Wedge or better known as a putter.
Whenever possible, use a putter when the ball is just off the green because the club will have more control and create better distance judgment.
The putter is the club you use most often and most comfortable with, so the odds are greater to get closer to the hole.
But there are three factors that helps determine if you can use the putter from off the green. First, your ball must have a good lie with nothing to impair your putting stroke. Next, the condition of the turf should be good and cut smooth and evenly. Finally, the distance between the ball and the green should not be too far as to hinder your judgment of ball speed.
Once you are more than five yards off the green, you risk misjudging the effect of the turf on your putt.
Simply, the rule for off-green shots is: Whenever possible, putt.
 If you can’t putt, then chip. If you can’t putt or chip, then pitch. If you need help with your short game and would like to add the Texas Wedge shot to your shot selection, swing by Ridgemark Golf and Country Club. We would love to help you.
 
Rules Question
I always thought it would be a great fundraiser for one of the celebrities at the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am to use a different caddie every six or nine holes. To caddie at the event, a person would make a sizable donation to a local charity.
When I discussed this idea among some of my friends, they questioned if it was against the rules of Golf to have different caddies during a round. The answer is at the bottom of the column.
 
Online Tee Times
There are more opportunities for golfers to book tee times – at reduced rates – online. Companies like GolfNow.com offer tee times at many golf courses with discounted rates.
However, tee reservation companies charge a transaction or reservation fee with their bookings.
Many golf courses now offer tee reservations on the websites without any transaction fee and offer different discounts as well. Ridgemark Golf and Country Club offers online tee times without a fee on our website. So check with your favorite courses to see if they offer online tee reservations. If not, search the Internet for golf reservations companies like GolfNow.com.
 
Rules Answer
Yes, according to Rule 6-4; the player may have only one caddie at a time.