This handy rules option is almost like cheating!

The “Opposite Margin” Option

By Lynn Blasch

Every golfer knows that some rules, when breached, require the player to adjust his or her score by one or two shots. On a more positive note, knowledge of the rules can help a player make the best of a difficult situation.

Consider the seventh hole at Springfield. The creek which parallels the fairway is properly marked with red stakes and lines, which means it is a lateral water hazard. The most common situation is that the player’s ball enters the hazard from the fairway side of the creek. The player can elect to play the ball as it lies for no penalty. If the ball cannot be played from the hazard, there are four penalty options, but almost every player will take relief by dropping, with a one stroke penalty, within two clublengths of the spot where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, no nearer the hole.Less well known, or even contemplated, is that another of the four penalty options available to the player under Rule 26-1 allows the same two clublength drop on the opposite margin of the hazard, equidistant from the hole.So at Springfield, if your ball enters the hazard from the fairway side, you are unlikely to consider dropping on the opposite margin (cart path side) because the terrain is sloping and the rough is usually sun-baked. But suppose your ball lands on the cart path side and then bounces into the hazard. One look will tell you that instead of dropping in the difficult terrain on that side of the hazard, you are far more likely to get a flatter lie on the opposite margin, or fairway side, of the hazard.

In summary, there are not many opportunities at Springfield to take advantage of the opposite margin option (the left side of number two and the pond to the left of 16 green may be the next best times to consider the option) but whenever you play number seven, or any other course which has lateral water hazards, try to remember that you are entitled to the opposite margin option.

Source: Clublife article from www.sgccva.org

So you've recently been playing great? Its time for a Lesson!

So you've recently been playing great? Its time for a Lesson! improve with golf lessons

Some of the most helpful & productive lessons I've had in the past came right after playing well in a tournament. I wanted to have a second set of eyes take a look at my swing, wedge game, lag putting, etc. and have my instructor give his input into the reason for my improved play. This helped me identify some of my natural tendencies and embrace them. BUT often times I found that even though I may have been striking the ball well, my swing on video would look identical to previous lessons when I was striking it poorly. Mainly just a result of good timing of the clubface at impact and a bit of blind luck. But I would take advantage of my good clubface timing to make the necessary swing changes that improved my consistency. This made swing changes easier to adjust to and helped prevent the dreaded “getting worse before you get better”. Whats critical is working with someone with total understanding of the golf swing (which comes down to simply understanding how the best players in history use a golf club to strike a golf ball consistently)   

Nothing scientific here and no analyzed data, just my 2 cents from past experience.


On a side note regarding swing lessons… After being around the game for 30+ yrs, one thing I've learned is that most golf pros are able to at least slap a band aid fix on a student’s swing but don’t last and can lead to bigger problems. Often the pro giving the lesson is no better than the average amateur golfer and has little competitive experience. Even worse is the golf pro that pays a recurring fee to be a ‘certified XXXX swing method’ instructor. Claiming that their secret  method is the only correct way to swing and that all the touring pro’s are doing it. The real secret is that its a scam that forces the student to dish out big time $ and commit to dozens lessons to learn the latest swing fad. Both are a waste of time & money. 

How to start your downswing

This is a drill I practice from time to time to help sequence my upper and lower body. WARNING - Do not try without contacting me first. You can seriously injure yourself with a alignment stick! If there is enough interest, I will post a more in depth video on this drill.

how to start your downswing in golf

Learn how to keep your left arm straight in golf

This golf lesson is not my favorite tip in the bag, but lots of golfers seemed interested! Time to make some new videos. What would you like to learn?