Deanwood Park Golf Club Blogs

Golf Rules with Ivor Shank & Sandy McCrevice – “Ups & Downs”

Sandy & Ivor were having a game by the seaside and enjoying their usual match for a couple of pounds. On the 5th hole Ivor sliced his approach shot into a greenside tree. After a short search the ball was spotted but was lodged in the branches about 12 feet from the ground. Sandy suggested that Ivor must go back to the place he last played from as a two club length drop was impossible from that height even if they could reach the ball. Luckily for Ivor the Club Secretary happened to be walking the course with his dog and seeing the two arguing offered his help. He informed Ivor that he could ignore the vertical distance and drop within two club lengths of the spot directly below his ball in the tree for a one stroke penalty (Decisions 28/11). He also did not need to retrieve the ball but could substitute one without penalty. Ivor proceeded to take the penalty drop and then chip the ball into the hole. Sandy was so cross he 3 putted and lost the hole.

Still one down at the 17th which is along the cliff tops Sandy pulls his tee shot over the edge. Determined not to lose the money he ventures onto the beach looking for his ball. He finds it 30ft below the fairway under the overhanging cliff and with not enough backswing to chip out. “Aha!” Cries Sandy in a eureka moment. “I can take a penalty drop like you did on the 5th and if I go towards the cliff the vertical height can be ignored so I will be at the top of the cliff.” Ivor could see the logic and with his own drive lodged in a bunker feared Sandy could save himself.

At that moment the Club Secretary still walking his now exhausted dog came along the beach. Without asking if his intervention was welcome he “kindly” offered his opinion. Sandy confidently pointed out the similarity between this situation and the 5th hole “tree incident” and picked up his ball to effect the drop. “I am sorry” said the official “but under rule 28c a player is only permitted to ignore the vertical distance if his ball is off the ground, but your ball is on the ground (Decision 28/12).” The options open to Sandy were not discussed. Sandy did not complete the hole. The dog had to find his own way home. Sandy paid both Ivor his winnings and court costs following his conviction for assault.

(R&A publication – Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2010-2011 Rule 28/11 & 28/12)

Deanwood Park GC 01635 48772 or golf@deanwoodpark.co.uk for rules advice and bookings.
www.deanwoodpark.co.uk

More fun next week with Sandy & Ivor…………..

Golf Rules with Ivor Shank & Sandy McCrevice

Ivor & Sandy are playing a knockout match, Ivor putts and his ball comes to rest near the hole. Sandy concedes Ivor’s next stroke for a halved hole, but Ivor says: “No. I haven’t holed out yet.” So Sandy says: “OK. Go ahead and putt.” Ivor putts and misses. Sandy then tells Ivor “That serves you right!” and promptly clams the hole. Ivor, feeling really embarrassed, trudges slowly to the next tee now one hole down.

Is that what should happen? In such circumstances, is the concession invalidated?

No.When Sandy conceded Ivor’s next stroke, Ivor had completed the hole. Concession of a stroke may not be declined or withdrawn – see Rule 2-4.

So the lesson to learn from Ivor here is if your opponent concedes you a putt, pick up the ball and move on. If you put and miss it makes no difference you will just look & feel stupid! The other lesson is know the rules or risk losing when you needn’t.

Stay tuned for more fun with Ivor & Sandy supplied by Deanwood Park GC, Newbuury. 01635 48772
www.deanwoodpark.co.uk

Snow, Ice, Frost & Dew It’s all the same….isn’t it?

Relief is not dew!

When the snow is 8 inches deep across the golf course the only big question is whether or not the bar will still be open? But when play is still possible what is the difference between these watery obstacles?

Snow & ice can be either “loose impediments” (rule 23) or “casual water” (rule 25) and therefore relief is available. Frost & dew are found far more often by golfers and are neither “loose impediments” or “casual water” and therefore attract no such relief. I wonder how many early bird golfers have scraped away some due from the line of a putt as casually as they rub the sleep from their eyes?

Don’t do it people! If it is frost or dew you must just putt over it.

Deanwood Park Golf Club will be publishing more rules and golf information blogs. Watch out for the return of Ivor Shank & Sandy MacRevice who will stagger through some golf rules blunders.
www.deanwoodpark.co.uk

Pumpkin Soup

Firstly cook 1 large onion and 1 chopped carrot in a little olive oil.  Then add the pumpkin and stock (for 1lb of pumpkin add one and half pints of vegetable stock).  Simmer until the pumpkin is tender.  To make a spiced soup add 3 tsps of curry powder, plus 1-2 cloves of garlic. Check for seasoning.  When tender, liquidise or blend until just thick.  Swirl in 3 dessert- spoons of crème fraiche or coconut milk and serve with toasted pumpkin seeds sprinkled on top and some chopped coriander (optional).

Nutritional advice & therapy by Sam Silvester at Deanwood Therapy Centre 01635 32223. Or call Sam for more information or to book an appointment on 07767 260374. www.whatseatingyou.co.uk.

Deanwood Park golfers did you know…..; 9 short tips on what the Rules permit you to do. Check them out; there might be something new for you.

Under the Rules of Golf you may;

1. Have a flagstick attended even when your ball is in a bunker, or on the apron of the green – Rule 17-1.
2. Look into someone’s golf bag to identify which club they are using for their stroke – Decision 8-1/10.
3. Use the back, or the toe, of the clubhead to strike the ball – Decision 14-1/1.
4. Ask anyone the distance from any point A to any point B – Information on distance is not advice, Definition of Advice.
5. Ground your club on a bridge situated in a water hazard – Decision 13-4/30.
6. Lay a club, or clubs, in a bunker before you make a stroke at your ball lying in that bunker – Exception 1(b) to Rule 13-4.
7. Wrap a towel or handkerchief around the grip to assist in gripping your club on a wet day – Rule 14-3c.

8. Replace your ball where it was, under penalty of one stroke, when you have just putted past the hole and into a bunker – Rule 27-1a.
9. Use the toe of your putter to mark your ball – Decision 20-1/16. I’ll bet you didn’t know all of these.

Maybe we will follow up with 9 things you CAN’T do. Deanwood Park Golf Club will be holding new members evenings with guides to rules & etiquette. Call 01635 48772 for details.

Article by Barry Rhodes who provides miscellaneous information on the Rules of Golf at http://www.barryrhodes.com

If you are a nomadic golfer or just playing less competitive rounds of golf than you used to be aware there are changes afoot that may affect your handicap. Deanwood Park Golf Course may have a solution to the following issues…

During the winter of 2007/2008 the EGU gave numerous Handicapping Seminars to launch the new CONGU Unified Handicapping System (UHS). Clubs, although not in favour of lapsing handicaps, wanted to have more control of their members’ handicaps and players competing in Open competition.

Accordingly the English Golf Union and English Women’s Golf Association have launched a system that will identify the competitive nature of an individual. Approved and supported by CONGU the Active/Inactive handicap will identify whether an individual has competed in qualifying competitions and as a result returned information on their playing ability.

Conditions are as follows

* Players will be required to have submitted 3 qualifying scores (including Supplementary Scores & 9 Hole Qualifying Competitions and Away scores) during the calendar year 2009 (not the period between annual handicap reviews) to avoid having an inactive handicap for the playing season, 2010. NR’s will be accepted as part of 3 Qualifying Scores unless the Committee are of the opinion that they have been returned deliberately as part of the 3 Qualifying Scores.

* Clubs will be permitted to exempt players from an inactive handicap for injury/illness that has prevented them from achieving the required number of qualifying scores during a calendar year. This will also include those players who are transferring membership who have submitted scores albeit at another Club and to golfers new to the game who are being issued with first CONGU handicap.

* Players whose handicap has become inactive  will be required to return three qualifying scores before the indicator is removed. Qualifying scores of less than 3 are not permitted to be carried over to the next year, i.e. no topping up of qualifying scores permitted, e.g. 1 score in the previous year and 2 in current year.

* Clubs may impose an entry condition that requires an active handicap (3 previously submitted qualifying scores) for specific competitions only such as Trophy or Board events. In all other cases Clubs must allow “home” players with inactive handicaps entry to qualifying competitions in order to provide as much opportunity as possible for the removal of the inactive handicap.

Deanwood Park Golf Club are offering a Handicap Membership with special qualifying events at just £35.00 per year. This would allow golfers easy access to the means they need to keep their CONGU handicap valid ad also to maintain their freedom to compete wherever they choose. Click here for full details.

We are often asked by our guests what food types they should be eating to achieve the best round they can. Our new Nutritional therapist at Deanwood Park Golf Club has put together these tips to help.
•    Slow release energy foods – wholegrain bread, oats, brown rice; and protein.  These will give you energy and help with concentration.

•    Hydration – adequate hydration helps thinking and co-ordination.  Avoid coffee which pumps up adrenaline and can make you jittery and unfocused.  Avoid alcohol the night before as this will dehydrate you and adversely affect performance. Take water around the course.

•    Glucosamine and Chondroitin are supplements which help repair cartilage.  Fish oils calm down inflammation, these are highest in oily fish such as trout, salmon, mackerel and sardines, or you can take fish oil supplements.

•    Healthy snacks will keep up energy levels and aid concentration e.g. fresh fruit and natural nuts; cheese and apple, oatcakes, healthy cereal bars such as Wallaby bars, Fruitus and Naked.

•    Protect against deteriorating eyesight with lutein.  This nutrient is found in green leafy vegetables, cooked tomatoes and berries.  Limit sugar and saturated fat which can damage the blood vessels to the eyes.  Ginkgo biloba boosts the supply of oxygen to the eyes (and aids circulation).

For more help with how nutrition can help improve your health, make an appointment with our Nutritionist – Sam Silvester, at reception 01635 32223. Or follow this link to Deanwood Park Golf Club