Golf is a game of honor. Golfers of all levels penalize themselves for rules violations when playing the game.

Last week while playing in the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, CA. had to play a shot out of the water hazard to avoid having to take a drop and a penalty stroke.

Watching the video replay, Wie was able to play a shot out of the water on the 11th hole.  After taking her shot she grounded her club in the hazard.  According to the rules, this is a 2 stroke penalty.

When the hole was finished she was notified by the rules official following her group that she indeed had incurred a 2 stroke penalty.

Naturally this was upsetting to Michelle and she told the official that she had lost her balance and that was the reason for grounding the club.

The rules official was not buying it and so the 2 stroke penalty stood.

I reviewed the video several times to see if there was a mistake made by the rules official.  Quite honestly, I have to agree with the rules official.  I never saw any indication that she had lost her balance. It appeared that it was just an unfortunate mistake.

“This is the rule right here 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions Except as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard (whether a bunker or a water hazard) or that, having been lifted from a hazard, may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player must not: a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard; b. Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or a club; or c. Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.”

Here is a link to the video: Michelle Wie

You be the judge.  Your comments are welcome.

I think Michelle is a good golfer and is good for the LPGA.  She is moving on and will put this all behind her, but in the future, she needs to be more diligent and err on the side of the rules.  Golf is a honorable sport and needs to be treated that way.

© 2010, David Wakeman. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.

What is the proper way to swing a golf club? This is the question many golfers ask themselves every time they pick up a golf club.

If you have read any of the golf magazines that are published, then you have seen the tips that Professional golfers and Golf Instructors offer up.

I was reading one of those magazines recently where I found no less than 10 different ways to hit a golf ball. Needless to say, by the time I got finished reading, I was more confused about what is the proper way to swing a golf club than when I started.

Now I know that these tips are designed to be helpful, but when in the same magazine there are 10 or more tips and some offer contradictions to the others, then what is an amateur golfer to do?

So, what is the proper way to swing a golf club?

Is there a “one swing fits all” approach to the golf swing?  I think not…

What I have found is that when you have a simple golf swing, you have the ability to repeat that swing over and over again.

Here are 5 tips that I have found useful in creating a simple, repeatable golf swing.

Golf Grip – Everything starts with the grip. This is the easiest to review and correct.  Take time to evaluate your grip.  A weak grip will cause the clubface to be open at impact resulting in a fade or slice. A strong grip will cause the clubface to be closed at impact and you will end up with a draw or hook.  The best grip is a neutral grip.  This will allow the clubface to be square at impact and is more likely to have the golf ball go straight down the target line.

Set Up – You must have a balanced stance in order to keep from swaying or shifting during the swing. Make sure that your weight is evenly distributed on both feet.  Your feet should be positioned about shoulder width apart.  The golf ball should be about in the center of your stance. This may adjust slightly depending on the golf club being used.

One Piece Takeaway – The backward motion in your swing should start with your arms.  The chain reaction should be that your shoulders follow and as the backswing continues your hips will follow this rotation.

Starting the Forward Swing – The forward motion should start with a shifting of your left leg towards the target.  Your body should remain stable and not slide with the shift, with your hips and arms to follow.

Let Your Arms Go – As your body uncoils, your hips will rotate and your arms will drop as your body starts to turn.  When your weight begins to shift, swing your arms as your body turns.  Your weight shift will cause your arms to drop naturally into an inside path to the golf ball.  Then allow your body to turn through for a complete follow thru.

There are many ways to talk about the proper way to swing a golf club and they are all probably right for that coach or golfer.  The bottom line is, you need to find a simple golf swing that you can repeat with little or no effort.

What is the proper way to swing a golf club? I would suggest that you get the Simple Golf Swing and build a repeatable golf swing that you can take to the golf course.  You will improve your golf game and lower your scores.

© 2010, David Wakeman. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.

Courtesy of Getty Images

Ernie Els wins at Bay Hill after a rain delay caused the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational to be played on Monday.  He is the first to win twice on the Florida swing since Tiger Woods did it in 2001 and only the four time overall.

After winning at Doral in Miami, Els took a week off before heading to Orlando to play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  On Sunday it appeared that he would cruise to his second straight win in as many tournaments until a double bogey on thirteen and a bogey on fourteen brought him back to the pack. Fortunately for Els, the rain came and play was suspended.

Play resumed on Monday and Els was able to scramble on the final four holes to win the tournament by two strokes over Kevin Na.

With the way Els has been playing, you have to look at him as being a favorite to win the Masters in two weeks at Augusta National.

While the media have been talking about Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the Big Easy stepped up and shown that there are more players to watch on tour.

Watching Ernie play is pure poetry. He has arguably one of the most complete games on tour.  His ability to play a fade or a draw is a big advantage and his short game is very solid.  He showed that he has the ability to scramble when in trouble and not allow a bad shot to ruin his round.

I look for Ernie to finally have a real shot at wearing a green jacket this year.  He is definitely going to make the Masters interesting this year.

© 2010, David Wakeman. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.