Spring is here! If you haven't played, dust off your clubs and get out to the course or practice range.
It's getting exciting on the PGA Tour.
With Tiger Woods' five-shot victory at Bay Hill on March 25, he gave the game of golf a shot in the arm and brought much excitement to the upcoming Masters tournament, which starts today. Tiger is considered the favorite to win, with seven straight years finishing no worse than tied for sixth.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has skipped the last three tournaments and has been in Jupiter, Fla., working his coach, Michael Bannon. Look for him on the back nine Sunday.
Also, fan favorite Fred Couples won on the Champions Tour two weeks ago in Mississippi, making a 10-foot putt for birdie on the last hole. He's in the Masters field at Augusta.
Rules of golf change
This happens every four years when the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Association (R&A) publish their new book. This is the first time in history two leading international golf associations have agreed upon the rules.
An important change is to Rule 18-2b, regarding the definition of "addressing the ball." It reads:
"A player has addressed the ball when he has grounded the club immediately in front of or immediately behind the ball, whether or not he has taken his stance."
This change does not require the player to place his feet in position for the stroke in order for the ball to be addressed. Therefore, a player will never address the ball if it lies in a hazard. If he does, he will incur a two-stroke penalty in stroke play, or loss of the hole in match play.
Here's the benefit for the player under the new Rule 18-2b:
He places his feet in the bunker and the wind blows the ball. In years past, he would have to replace the ball with a stroke penalty. Now, the player plays the ball from the new position without penalty.
This applies on the putting green as well. If the player places feet without placing his putter and the wind blows the ball - no penalty. Just play the ball from where the wind blew it.
You can check out all the rules changes at www.usga.org.
Equipment changes
Most of the manufacturers have shipped their new 2012 merchandise to stores near you. Here are four hot new picks to look for:
- Belly putters. Callaway has three models to choose from, as well as two long putters. Ping has introduced an adjustable belly length putter, the Nome 405 belly. It can be adjusted between 37.5 inches and 46.5 inches and comes with a wrench that locks the head and shaft into place, making it comforming to USGA rules.
- TaylorMade has introduced the RBZ driver and fairway wood. The 3-wood will get the most attention from good players since TaylorMade has reached the USGA's spring-like limit for fairway woods.
- Titleist has four new irons out - AP1, AP2, MB and CB - all forged. Forged irons are back.
- Titleist has four new balls - Velocity, DT, Solo and NXT Tour - all about $15 less per dozen than the Pro V1.
Now is the time
Golf has fewer players these last couple of years and the good news for you players out there is this - shop around. Golf courses are offering very competitive memberships and VIP cards with discounts if you play often. Private clubs aren't so private any more.
Now is the time most courses are opening up to the public with tournaments such as stag days. Try calling for a tee time, you just might get one.
(Hatch is the PGA teaching professional at Hidden Valley Golf Course)