Showing 1 - 10 of 53
Two strokes too many: the danger of a 'wrong ball'
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 15/04/2026
» Should you play a "wrong ball" -- in other words any other ball other than yours -- you'll incur a penalty of two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. You must correct the error by playing your original ball before teeing off on the next hole, or you face disqualification. Strokes made with the wrong ball do not count.
Clubhead pace is the secret weapon today
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 08/04/2026
» Your ball is in what the Rules call "temporary water." You may play your ball as it lies or take free relief. You take free relief by finding the nearest point of complete relief where you are clear of the puddle and then drop your original ball away from the puddle and within one club-length of that point, not nearer the hole. You may also take relief from a puddle of water if your ball is in a bunker.
Find the ball fast or pay the price -- costly
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 18/02/2026
» The common feedback I've received from my recent rule tips have been asking for more clear simple explanations on queries involving penalty relief, ball movement, and on-course procedures. How long can you search for a ball and what's the penalty if you accidently move your ball on the green or bunker together with the ability to take free relief from abnormal ground conditions for example: ground under repair or temporary water.
Unplayable lies: Know the three relief options
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 04/02/2026
» You have basically three options if your golf ball finds itself in an unplayable lie. An unplayable lie allows a golfer to take relief almost anywhere on the course but comes with a one-stroke penalty, excluding penalty areas. The player is the sole judge of whether a ball is unplayable. The 3-options for relief are -- stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line, or lateral relief within two club-lengths of where the ball is at rest.
One wrong move, two strokes gone
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 31/12/2025
» Giving or asking for advice like "What club did you use?" from anyone except your caddie or playing partner results in a penalty of two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. Unsolicited advice from strangers or spectators is okay, but the player must not encourage it.
Golf made simple: Key rules every player should know
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 01/10/2025
» Carrying on with some basic 'easy to understand' golf rules that we all need to know well. To correctly drop a golf ball, you must release the ball from your hand at knee height, allowing it to fall straight down without touching your body or equipment before hitting the ground. The ball must then land and come to rest within the defined relief area for that required situation. Should it bounce away from the dropping area you can try two more times. If still unsuccessful -- you can then place the ball. If you drop the ball incorrectly, you simply must re-drop it without penalty, but you incur a penalty if you play the ball from a wrong place after dropping it.
Why a provisional saves you long walk back
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 17/09/2025
» Continuing on the theme of our rules; here's one that we should all know but it's best to go through the procedure once more.
From divots to bunkers: Clearing up rules
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 10/09/2025
» Feedback always comes back thick and fast when l mention the rules of golf as our rules can be confusing for many. Last week, l discussed the situation of if your ball embeds itself and from the feedback came the helpful comment that there's no relief if your ball comes to rest in another pitch mark or divot.
Putting is game's ultimate test of both skill and nerve
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 13/08/2025
» The four basics of putting are reading, aiming correctly, stroke mechanics and distance control, which sounds simple but in reality, getting all four of these essentials working at the same time is not so easy.
Find fairways more often by going against the grain
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 23/07/2025
» When it comes to hitting it long off the tee, go with your normal shot shape. When driving the ball well, most of us play a slight draw, so no matter what the conditions, we'll always have this natural shape. Getting off the tee is the hardest part of the game for new golfers. I've seen many golfers fight their natural shot shape.