Selborne Weekly Tribune – 25 April 2024

1.Teeing Off: Welcome to the Weekly Tribune!

Step right up to the latest instalment of our Weekly Golf Newsletter, your premier companion for navigating the dynamic world of golf.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a weekend enthusiast, or simply in love with the sport, we’re delighted to welcome you aboard as we explore all things golf.

Each edition promises a wealth of insights, tricks, and updates carefully curated to enhance your game and deepen your admiration for this timeless pursuit. Our newsletter serves as your indispensable resource for staying enlightened and motivated both on and off the course.

But wait, there’s more – we’ll also keep you in the loop regarding upcoming tournaments, offer pointers to refine your skills, and equip you with a thorough understanding of golf’s regulations.

So, grab your beverage of choice, settle into your favourite spot, and let’s embark on another thrilling week of golfing adventures together.

Here’s to fairways, greens, and boundless opportunities for unforgettable moments on the course!

2. Exciting News Alert!

Final Proshop Update

The Proshop Official Launch Will Be held On The 18^th May.  Don’t Miss Out On This Memorable Occasion.

In our recent updates, we’ve provided insights into the upcoming changes at the Proshop starting May 1st, 2024. While we’re keeping the specifics under wraps to maintain an element of surprise, rest assured, you’ll be impressed by the transformation. It’s a classic case of out with the old and in with the new.

As previously mentioned, the Proshop will be nestled in the Hadeda room from the 1^st  of May.  We will have a staff member on hand to check all player slips before teeing off. While this is primarily aimed at visitors, we kindly ask all players to have their slips ready for collection by the starter upon teeing off. Your cooperation and patience in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

4. Pro Tips: Mastering Your Swing:

Mastering Your Swing: Let’s Talk Putting

IMPROVE YOUR GAME WITH THESE EXPERT TIPS FROM THE PRO:

In the previous edition, we delved into the nuances of uphill and downhill lies, exploring their effects on your swing and ball trajectory, as well as strategies for handling these challenging scenarios. This week, our focus is on mastering the greens and how one can become a more consistent putter.

When being faced with a putt, there are a number of key points one needs to take into account, and these are as follows.

1. Assess the amount of break (if any).
2. Determine the line on which the ball should start its journey.
3. Assess the distance the ball has to travel and the topography of the putting surface over which the ball will roll in order to decide upon the amount of power required.
4. Then produce a stroke to start the ball on that line at the desired speed.

• Key points for the when a player is setting up for a putt:
  1. Ensure that the putter face is aiming to the target line when addressing the ball.
  2. Ensure the putter head is swinging in the direction of the target line chosen at address.
  3. Ensure the centre of the putter face is striking the ball.
  4. When making the putting stroke, the stroke must provide a slightly ascending strike to the ball.
  5. Ensure the appropriate speed is being imparted to the ball. I know this is a tough one but tips on how to control speed will be provided below.
  6. Pick an effective target to aim at. Always look for a target closer to you on the green to aim at rather than picking a mark near the flag.  The closer the mark, the easier it is to ensure your setup and aim is correct.

  

  Putting Drills For Speed Control

  • Ensure that your back stroke matches your through stroke. This creates a good rhythm for more consistent putting and improved ball striking.
  • Focus on striking the ball in the centre of the putter. You often hear the term that came off the putter dead.  This is due to miss hits either of the toe or heel of the putter resulting in less roll.

As you move farther from the hole, the likelihood of sinking the putt reduces. Consequently, it becomes pivotal to position the ball close to the hole to facilitate the next putt. At this stage, speed takes precedence over the line. Thus, mastering the sensation of how firmly to stroke the ball is essential for becoming a proficient putter. Recall the saying, “never up, never in,” emphasizing the importance of reaching the vicinity of the hole with each stroke.

5. Tournament Results:   Club Championships Results

Tournament Results: Players That Rose To The Top!

In this issue, our spotlight shines on the Club Championships, held over the weekend. Ideal conditions prevailed on both days, offering the chance for impressive low scores. Selborne extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in the event, and congratulations to all our victorious competitors.

The Men’s A division found themselves all square on the 18^th hole and a sudden death match was played.  Chris Zietsman emerged victorious making a birding the 18^th hole to secure his 4^th consecutive Club Championship title.

6. Golf Rules & Handicapping: Make The Rules Work For You

Rules/Course Knowledge Episode 2

The Teeing Area

The teeing area for the hole you are about to start, is a rectangle that is two club lengths deep where the front edge is the forward most points of the markers, and the side edges are straight lines from the outer edge of the markers.

A player must start each hole by playing a ball from anywhere inside the teeing area.

Whether the ball is teed or on the ground, when starting a hole or playing again from the teeing area under a Rule:

• The ball is not in play until the player makes a stroke at it, and
• The ball may be lifted or moved without penalty before the stroke is made.

If a teed ball falls off the tee or is knocked off the tee by the player before the player has made a stroke at it, it may be re-teed anywhere in the teeing area without penalty. But if the player makes a stroke at that ball while it is falling or after it has fallen off, there is no penalty, the stroke counts and the ball is in play.

Generally, a player should not do anything to improve the conditions affecting their next stroke except in certain specified circumstances.

What can you do before making a stroke from the teeing area:

1. Tee the ball up on a tee or place the ball on the ground (the “ground” includes sand or other natural materials put in place to set the tee or ball on)
2. Alter the surface of the ground (such as making an indentation with your club or foot)
3. Move, bend or break grass, weeds or any other natural objects that are attached or growing in the ground.
4. Remove or press down soil.
5. Remove dew, frost, and water.
6. Stand outside the teeing area as long as the ball is in the teeing area.
7. Re tee your ball without penalty if it falls off before you play it
8. If you knock the ball off the tee when addressing it or hit it during your practice swing, you can re-tee the ball without penalty.
9. Re-tee the ball in the same place or another place in the teeing area for your second stroke, if your first stroke resulted in the ball landing in the teeing area you were correctly teeing off from.

What is not allowed?

1. Teeing off from a teeing area for another hole or course (i.e. blue tees if you are playing off the white course)
2. Teeing off where the ball is outside the teeing area.
3. Moving tee markers from the teeing area you are playing.
4. Teeing off earlier than your allocated tee time.