Showing 1 - 10 of 51
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.
Why pressure and practice games matter
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 16/07/2025
» It's been proven that the brain can't learn unless you are challenging it with random tasks. Showing up to the range and hitting your driver for hours on end won't do much to improve your golf game. This is exactly why practice games are so effective. They simulate real pressure that you will feel on the course and encourage you to practise like you play.
How to create a flawless foundation for good swing
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 11/06/2025
» In a perfect world, at the top of your backswing, the club should be parallel to the ground and pointing towards the target. Your lead arm should be extended, with your wrists hinging naturally to create a 90-degree angle between the club shaft and your left arm.
Swing smart: Power tips for women
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 04/06/2025
» Women's clubs are usually lighter than men's, which helps generate a faster swing. The downside is that women sometimes have a more challenging time making good contact with the ball with these lighter clubs. Regardless of using men's or ladies' clubs when swinging, imagine that the club is heavy in your hands on the downswing to make better contact with the ground and the ball. You'll also generate more clubhead speed and overall carry distance.