Hi Linda,
I find that I can hit better shots when I take a few
full-power practice swings prior to hitting the ball. The issue on iron shots
is that I don’t want to tear up a bunch of turf unnecessarily. Am I allowed to
drop a small practice mat and take a few swings on it prior to executing my
shot?
Thanks,
Lou from San Jose, California
Dear Lou,
Using a portable practice mat for
your practice swings would be a breach of Rule 14-3. A practice mat is considered "unusual equipment." Players are prohibited from using unusual equipment that might assist them in their play. The penalty is disqualification. I verified this ruling with officials at the USGA headquarters.
The Etiquette section of the rulebook tells players to avoid
removing divots when taking practice swings, which is what you are trying to do
by using your practice mat.
Players should not be tearing up the turf with their
practice swings. My suggestion would be that you choke down on the grip for
your practice swing, so that the club barely brushes the top of the grass. In
the interest of pace of play, I would also like to see you limit your practice
swings to just one. Except for delicate chip shots, where a second rehearsal
might be understandable, no one wants to stand around waiting to play while
someone takes several full practice swings prior to hitting the ball.
Linda
Copyright © 2015 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
