Appendix II

1. Modification history

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Appendix I

It would be impossible for me to include contact information for all of the national and regional associations. I have attempted to include those associations which represent most of the participants of RSG. If you do not see your national/regional association listed here please ask your club, course or practice facility for contact information.

1. Associations

USGA
Joining the USGA, a non-profit organization, costs $25 per year (may be tax deductible, lifetime memberships are available). You will receive a current rule book, nine issues of Golf Journal, with special issues for the US and Senior Open, as well as their catalog of golf goodies and a bag tag. The money helps support the USGA, which sponsors various amateur tournaments, administers the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment tests, turf research and much more. The USGA"s website is http://www.usga.org/ . I urge all United States based participants in RSG to consider becoming a member of the USGA. Please note that membership in a club or a regional association does not include membership in the USGA.

R & A
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews has been the governing authority concerning the Rules of Golf since 1897 in every country of the world except Canada and the United States.  Prior to 1951 the USGA and the R&A had some minor differences in their respective versions of the Rules of Golf. In 1951 those differences were eliminated and the USGA and R&A agreed to issue a common set of rules. Because of this agreement, the Rules of Golf are the same everywhere in the world. The R&A also conducts the Open Championship, AKA the British Open. The R&A website is at http://www.randa.org/ .

Australian Golf Union
The AGU was established in 1898 and oversees the course rating system, player handicapping, selection of Australian golfers for international amateur competitions, including the Eisenhower Trophy. The AGU also conducts the various Australian National Championships tournaments such as the Australian Open, the Australian Amateur and the Australian Senior Amateur. The AGU website is at  http://www.agu.org.au/ .

PGA of America
The Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) trains and certifies professional golf instructors. The PGA also conducts the PGA Championship tournament, one of the 4 major tournaments of men's professional golf and the Ryder Cup, the premier international professional men's team event. The PGA"s website is http://www.pga.com/ .

PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is an association of touring professional golf players. These are the guys you see on television every week. The PGA Tour also runs the Senior PGA Tour and the Buy.Com Tour. The PGA Tour is not a division of the PGA of America, it is a separate and independent entity. The PGA Tour runs or sanctions all PGA Tour events. If you want to become a touring pro, this is the organization you need to join. The PGA Tour's website is http://www.pgatour.com/ .

LPGA
The Ladies Professional Golf Association is the governing body for the vast majority of female professional golfers, whether they work in a pro shop or play on the LPGA Tour. Like the PGA of America, the LPGA trains and certifies LPGA teaching professionals and, like the PGA Tour, the LPGA also runs the LPGA Tour.  The LPGA"s website is at http://www.lpga.com/index.html . Please note that some female golf professionals are members of the PGA, not the LPGA.

Regional Associations
Contact your local pro shop or golf course for information on contacting your state or regional association.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's)

Shaft Manufacturers

3. Miscellaneous Contacts

XIII. Definitions

Fairway in Regulation
You have hit a Fairway in Regulation when your ball comes to rest off the tee (except par 3's) in the fairway cut of grass for the hole you are playing.

Green in Regulation
Hitting a green in regulation means that your ball will be on the putting surface in 1 shot on a par 3, 2 shots (or less) on a par 4 and 3 shots (or less) on a par 5. Just subtracting 2 putts from the par gives you the "Regulation" number of strokes to reach the green. The fringe or apron is not a part of the putting surface.

Bogie/Birdie/Eagle/Albatross
A bogie is a score of 1 stoke over par for a hole. A double bogie is 2 strokes over par for the hole and so on.

A birdie is 1 stroke under par for the hole, an eagle is 2 strokes under par for the hole and an albatross is 3 strokes under par. An albatross is often misleadingly called a double eagle.

Sweetspot
Sweetspot is the term used to describe a theoretical point on the clubface. In theory, a shot struck perfectly on the sweetspot would not cause any twisting of the clubhead. In reality, the sweetspot is inside the clubhead and so is impossible to actually strike. Manufacturers of oversized and cavity back clubs imply and sometimes actually state that the sweetspot on their clubs is larger than on standard sized or blade clubs. This is false and misleading. The sweetspot is a theoretical point and has no physical size, regardless of the size or design of the clubhead.

In practical terms, the sweetspot is a small area on the clubface that will produce the most consistent shot pattern and longest distance. As ball/club contact moves farther away from this small area the shot pattern becomes more inconsistent and distance decreases.

Studies and player feedback have indicated that there is an increase in the forgiveness of oversized and cavity back club heads. What this means is that there is a larger area around the sweetspot where if a ball is struck properly, an acceptable shot will still result.

 
Pull
The opposite of push: A ball whose flight path is straight that ends up left of the target. The incidence angle of the clubface is x degrees to the left of the target, and where the PATH of the clubface is also x degrees to the left of the target (outside to inside path).

Fade
A straight shot with slight sidespin, such that there is slight but noticeable left to right travel by the ball at the end of its flight. The key words are slight sidespin. Since the forward energy force must be much greater than that of the sidespin, such that as the ball slows down at the end of its flight, using up the forward direction energy, the sidespin takes over and gives the ball its left to right 'fading action'. The clubface is generally open a few degrees at impact, but the club path is straight along the intended path (directly at the target). A fade typically has a higher trajectory than a draw and the ball tends to roll less after hitting the ground.

Draw
The opposite of a fade. A straight shot with a minimum of sidespin, such that there is slight but noticeable right to left travel by the golf ball at the end of its flight. Again, the key phrase is slight sidespin. Since the forward energy force must be much greater than that of the sidespin, such that as the ball slows down at the end of its flight, using up the forward direction energy, the sidespin takes over and gives the ball its right to left 'drawing action'. The clubface is generally closed a few degrees at impact, but the club path is straight along the intended path (directly at the target). A draw typically has a lower trajectory than a fade and the ball tends to roll more after hitting the ground.

Slice
The opposite of a hook. A shot that curves uncontrollably from left to right due to severe sidespin imparted on the ball at contact. The clubface is generally open at contact and the club path is typically outside in relative to the intended path or target line.

Hook
The opposite of a slice. A shot that curves uncontrollably from right to left, due to the severe sidespin imparted at contact. The clubface is generally closed to the target at impact and the club path is typically inside out relative to the intended path of target line.

Dormie
Dormie is a matchplay term used to describe a situation where a player or team cannot lose the match in regulation. This occurs when one player or team is leading a match by the same number of holes as remain to play. For example, a player or team leads by 3 holes with 3 holes to play. The best the opposing player or team can hope for is to win all the remaining holes and tie the match. If the opposing player or team loses or halves any of the remaining holes then match is immediately over.

XI. Instructional Information

Note: All directions in this section are referenced for right-handed players. Us lefties will have to reverse them.

For the most part, a hook or a slice is caused by the clubface being opened or closed upon contact. Most people also tend to agree that an inside-to-out swing plane causes a hook, and an outside-to-in swing plane causes a slice.

2. How do I cure a hook/slice?

The list of faults and problems that can cause you to have an incorrect club face angle or club path that lead to hooks and slices is almost endless. Because it's very difficult to tell which particular fault(s) causes your hook or slice, it's best to see your local PGA or LPGA teaching professional for an assessment and lesson.

For those of you that just can't or won't see a professional, here are a few swing faults that can promote a hook or a slice:

3. What causes thin shots?

A thin shot is one where the leading edge of the clubface hits too high on the ball. This is also called a "bladed shot". It results in a low, flat shot trajectory and the ball commonly rolls a long distance. Many faults can cause a thin shot. Here are some of the most common:

4. What causes fat shots?

A fat shot is one where the leading edge of the clubface strikes the ground before contacting the ball. This results in a large, deep divot hole and a high, short shot, usually straight with minimal roll. Again, many swing flaws can cause fat shots. Here are some of the most common:

5. How do I cure thin/fat shots?

As with hooks and slices, there are many different faults and swing flaws that can cause thin and fat shots. It is strongly recommended that you see your local PGA or LPGA teaching professional to assist you with this problem. These problems are sufficiently complex that I will not attempt to provide any solutions here.

X. Games and Matches

1. Stroke Play (also called Medal Play)

In stroke play you add up your score for each hole and the total is your gross score. If you are playing with handicaps then you subtract your handicap from your gross score to obtain your net score. The winner is the player with the lowest gross or net score.

Low gross -- no adjustment for handicap, low score wins
Low net -- subtract your handicap, low score wins

2. Match Play

Two golfers play head to head and the winner is the player who wins the most holes. A hole is won when one player holes out in fewer strokes than his opponent. The total number of strokes for the round does not matter. It is possible to win a match play competition with a total stroke score higher than your opponent.

In handicapped match play each player determines the number of handicap strokes he is entitled to. The difference between the players" handicaps is how many strokes the player with the higher handicap is entitled to. These strokes are awarded on the holes with the more difficult hole handicaps. For example, Player X is entitled to 5 strokes and Player Y is entitled to 8 stokes. Player Y receives the difference of 3 strokes, which will be applied on the 1, 2 and 3 handicap holes of the course.

3. Stableford

Points are allocated based on the net score of each hole. Handicaps are allocated based on the index of each hole. You deduct the allocated handicap per hole from the score on the hole and the points are allocated against the equivalent net score for the hole. The exact points that are allocated may vary. This scoring system is used by the PGA Tour at the Sprint International.

4. Best-Ball

This refers to a team event which may comprise 2, 3 or 4 players. Each player will have his/her stroke allowance and the lowest net score would be recorded at each hole. The total for the complete round would be the team's best-ball score. When a team consists of 2 players the game is known as "Better Ball".

5. Scramble

Normally a team of 4. Each player tees off at each hole and then the team selects the ball that is in the best position and ALL play from that spot. This repeats for all shots until the hole is finished. Scores from scrambles should NOT be posted for handicap purposes.

6. Foursome/Alternate Shot

A foursome consists of 2 teams of 2 players. Each team plays one ball, with each player on that team alternating shots. One player will tee off at all the odd numbered holes and the other at the even numbered holes, no matter who was the last player to play on the previous hole. For example, Player A tees off, Player B hits the 2nd shot, Player A putts and misses, Player B putts and holes out. Player B then tees off at the next hole. Scores from foursomes should NOT be posted for handicap purposes.

7. Par

Similar to stableford as far as the allocated shots are concerned but you either win, halve or lose the hole (+ 0 -). It"s a little tougher, as anything worse than a net par is a loss. At the end you add up your wins against your losses.

8. Chapman

Teams consist of 2 players. Each player hits a tee shot. They then each play a second shot using their partner's ball. At this point, they select the best ball and the player who did not hit it plays, alternating shots until the ball is holed (only the first two shots are hit by both players).  Scores from Chapman rounds should NOT be posted for handicap purposes.

9. Pinehurst

Teams consist of 2 players. Pinehurst is similar to the Chapman format, except that each player hits a drive, and the best drive is then chosen and players alternate in from there. Unlike the Chapman, players do not BOTH hit second shots from their partners" drives. Do not post scores from Pinehurst matches for handicap purposes.

IX. Course Rating

This is a brief explanation of course rating, slope and hole handicapping. This information is applicable only to courses rated according to USGA guidelines. For additional information and definitions see the USGA Handicap System Manual at  http://www.usga.org/handicap/ . For non-USGA course rating information, please contact the national association for the country where the course is located.

1. Yardage Rating

Yardage rating is an evaluation of the playing difficulty based solely on the yardage of the course. It is the score a scratch golfer playing to his ability is expected to make when playing a course of average difficulty. This rating method does not take into account forced carries, extensive hazards or other obstacles.

4. Hole Handicap

Each hole on an 18 hole golf course is assigned a Hole Handicap from 1 to 18. The Hole Handicap is used to determine on what holes handicap strokes are awarded in match play. This number is determined by the relative difficulty of a hole based on what a scratch golfer, playing to his ability, will routinely score and what a bogey golfer, also playing to his ability, will routinely score. A Hole Handicap of 1 indicates the greatest scoring difference between the scratch and bogey golfers and 18 the least. Typically the odd handicap numbered holes are the front nine and the even handicap holes are the back nine unless the back nine is notably more difficult than the front nine.

Keep in mind that the Hole Handicap does not indicate the overall difficulty of a hole. For example, a 425 yard par 4 might be the #1 handicap hole on the course while a 225 yard par 3 might be the #8 handicap hole. This is because a scratch golfer is capable of scoring par routinely on the 425 yard par 4, while a bogey golfer will rarely score better than a 5 and will often score worse. The 225 yard par 3 is a more difficult hole to play, but has a less difficult hole handicap because both the scratch and bogey golfer will routinely score 4 or higher on this hole.

VIII. Handicapping

1. The United States Golf Association (USGA)

A handicap is only an Official USGA Handicap Index if you get it from a golf club which follows the USGA Handicap System. The good news is that becoming a member of a golf club doesn't have to be difficult or expensive.

Many public courses host golf clubs with modest membership fees. Club membership often entitles you to a few extra benefits - such as reduced green fees, preferred starting times, as well as a chance to play in club sponsored tournaments and meet new people. At the other end of the scale are private clubs that can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year and may have long waiting lists.

Can't find a reasonably priced golf club to join or you don't want to feel tied to one golf course? Then consider joining or forming, a  golf club "without real estate". The USGA doesn't require a club to have a course, and the minimum membership is just 10 golfers who have a reasonable and regular opportunity to play golf with one another. Some clubs call themselves traveling clubs and host regular outings at different courses throughout the year. Check with the USGA for specific information on "Forming a Golf Club".

More information regarding the USGA Handicap System can be found at http://www.usga.org/handicap/ or you can contact the USGA directly.

I urge all United States based participants of RSG to consider becoming a member of the USGA.

4. Modified Peoria System

The next best alternative, according to USGA studies, is to use a hole score selection system, often called the "Peoria system." Under this system, a player learns his handicap after the round is completed. By this method, the committee secretly selects a par 3 hole, a par 5 hole and four par 4 holes from an 18 hole course. The par 4's should be representative in length and difficulty with two chosen from the front nine and two from the back nine. A modified Peoria handicap is calculated by adding the player's strokes over par on the six selected holes, and multiplying by 2.8. This will equal the player's allowance to be deducted from his gross score. The maximum hole score for allowance purposes is three over par on par 3's and 4's and four over par on par 5's.

5. Callaway System

The Callaway System is a so-called "one-round" system or "worst-holes" system that compresses the spread of gross scores when converted to net scores. It is not a reliable handicap system and produces a result such that the player with the lowest gross score almost always becomes the low net score winner. Most players with higher gross scores are given net scores within a few strokes of the winner so that most players can feel competitive.

By the Callaway System, a player's allowance is determined after each round by deducting from his gross score for 18 holes the scores of the worst individual holes during the first 16 holes. The table below shows the number of "worst hole" scores he may deduct and the adjustment to be made, based on his gross score.

Maximum Handicap - 50

ADJUSTMENT

-2      -1       0      +1      +2                 Deduct from or Add  to Handicap

 
NOTES:

1. No hole may be scored at more than twice its par.

2. Half strokes count as whole.

VII. Golf Balls

1. General

Golf ball design and construction has changed immensely in the last 10 years. Once you only had to decide between Balata (expensive, only for low handicappers) and Surlyn (for the rest of us). But today there are literally dozens of different types of covers and construction methods. Today there are 2 piece, 3 piece, multi-layer, wound, double cover and almost any other type of ball you can think of. But when the hype gets out of hand, remember that the USGA/R&A very strictly regulate ball velocity, so all golf balls will travel approximately the same distance, with distance type balls being perhaps a few yards longer than spin type balls.

2. Balata/Spin

A balata covered ball is the original spin ball. It is typically a three piece ball: a core (sometimes liquid filled) wound with rubber and covered with balata. Balata is a soft substance which susceptible  to cuts and nicks. This softness generally promotes a high ball spin rate. A higher spin rate allows better players to shape their shots, i.e. to deliberately draw or fade the shot. It also will assist in making the ball back-up or stop when it lands on the green. Today the balata is artificial and many other compounds are used to achieve the same effect, but with less susceptibility to cuts and nicks.

3. Surlyn/Distance

A distance ball is generally a two piece ball, typically consisting of a solid rubber core with a man-made cover that is less susceptible to cuts and nick than balata. The original cover material was called Surlyn and almost all distance balls still use a variation of surlyn as a cover material. Distance balls have a lower spin rate than spin type balls. This is beneficial to players looking for a longer, straighter ball flight. The drawback is that because the ball has a lower spin rate, it is more difficult to deliberately draw or fade a shot. However, for a significant majority of players this is not a serious consideration. A factor that is of significant consideration is that distance balls may feel harder than spin type balls when struck, particularly to low handicap players. Some of the hardest distance type balls are referred to as "rocks".

4. Other Materials

Thanks to the wonders of chemistry, there are now many other types of cover materials available for golf balls. These include artificial balata, elastopolymers, etc. Most of these covers are designed to combine the durability of surlyn with the spin characteristics of balata. They are also generally quite expensive, but typically last longer than balata balls. These balls may be two piece, three piece or multi-layer, depending on the playing characteristics the manufacturer is aiming for.

5. Compression

Compression of a golf ball is designed to match the feel of the ball to the golfer's preference. Typical compression ratings are between 80 and 100, with most players using a 90 compression ball as a compromise. Many above average golfers tend to agree that hitting a 100 compression ball feels like hitting a rock. Contrary to popular myth, studies indicate that a 100 compression ball is not significantly longer than 90 or 80 compression balls.

6. Notes

Determining the type of ball you should use, as well as the compression is purely preference. Some people find that a distance type ball is quite playable, while others feel they need the action a spin type ball gives. Generally, higher handicap players will benefit more from a distance or two piece ball due to its lower spin rate. Lower handicap players often prefer a spin type or three piece soft cover ball because of its higher spin rate.

7. Quick Comparison

Balata/Spin

• Softer cover
• Higher spin rate
• Easier to work
• Usually three piece ball
• Usually more expensive with a shorter life

Surlyn/Distance

• More durable cover
• Lower spin rate
• Slightly more distance
• Usually two piece ball
• Usually less expensive with a longer life

Other

• Soft, yet durable cover
• Usually better spin than typical surlyn ball
• Usually better durability than typical balata ball
• Higher initial cost than surlyn, but typically longer life than balata