If I thought the new rules would cause some confusion the COVID ones take the “cake”. I think it is best if we use the KISS principle….keep it simple, we are after all recreational golfers. I don’t think we should take it too seriously and we should enjoy the round and camradery that comes with it. It has been really nice to have the 10 min tee times and I do like some of the “new” rules/practices that have been put in place to play during a COVID season. It has made the rounds quicker and more comfortable.
FLAGSTICK
Golf courses DO NOT want you touching the flagstick. We have seen a few different gizmo’s to ensure we are not touching the flagstick or reaching our hand into the cup…..pool noodles in the cup, plastic lifters to pull your ball out, cups raised an inch above the putting surface, & introducing a “gimme circle.”
I think we should rate the different gizmo’s, some of the courses have been pretty innovative and some work better than others. Tell us what you think….what has been your favorite and what course did you find it at?
NO RAKES, NO BALL WASHERS
You can’t rake the bunkers so you may find your ball in someone’s foot print. With COVID rules you can move it to a better lie i.e. somewhere else in the bunker. Golf Courses for the most part have removed the rakes, so far D’Arcy Ranch is the only one that had the rake on the back of the cart and I forgot to bring it with me almost every time. Even if we don’t have a rake an effort should be made to smooth out the area where our footprints have been.
Missing the ball washers – Take a wet towel to clean your ball when it has traveled somewhere other than the fairway and gets a little dirty.
END OF THE ROUND
We can’t shake hands but I have seen some pretty good replacements, the putter tap, hand over the heart, the elbow bump…what else are you girls doing?
The most important thing this season is to remember how fortunate we are to be out playing the game we all love and it should be about having FUN!!!