Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Free relief, OB stakes and the one-club drop
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 11/02/2026
» Please allow me to try and explain what is an immovable obstruction once more. They are basically artificial, fixed objects like cart paths, sprinklers, or fences -- they allow for a free, one-stroke relief drop if they interfere with a player's lie, stance, or swing. Relief is not permitted for line-of-sight interference. Players must find the nearest point of complete relief, not closer to the hole, and drop within one club-length.
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.
When a sprinkler raises its head
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 14/01/2026
» Sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions, and you get free relief if they interfere with your stance, swing, or lie, but for line-of-play interference (when it's just in the way of your shot direction), you only get relief from this predicament if a local rule is in effect, requiring the sprinkler head and ball to be within two club-lengths of the green and the green's fringe (fairway height or shorter). Without the local rule, you must play it as it lies or take penalty relief.
What happens when two golf balls collide on the course?
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 29/10/2025
» Golf balls do occasionally collide. It doesn't happen too often but it does occur occasionally. If a shot is played from off the putting surface and your ball hits another ball, what should you do?
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.
The secret to a perfect swing lies in setup
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 16/10/2024
» Keep a clear mind when practising and remember that a good swing is a combination of a lovely grip, stance and posture and the way you position your body in relation to the target. If all is done correctly the chances of hitting a good shot will drastically increase.
Tips for mastering windy conditions and downhill lies
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 18/09/2024
» When faced with a downhill lie, straighten your downhill leg and flex a little the uphill leg to level the hips. Play the ball back towards your right foot. Sole your club on the ground and square the clubface, whilst aiming to the right to compensate for the inevitable natural flight movement of the ball flying left.
The science behind ball positioning
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 08/05/2024
» The position of the ball is second only to the grip, and mistakes in grip and ball position are mistakes made before the swing that may ruin any thoughts of a good swing even before you've swung. Many golf coaches teach that the ball should be played off the left heel for all shots however, I'm not a fan of this doctrine as only very good players can do this off good lies. But if you play the ball off your left heel with a 9-iron, you must have a very fast hip shift to meet the club with the ball on the downswing.
Shallower the swing the more ball spins
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 18/05/2023
» I love the way Cameron Smith plays his bunker shots.
Golf was once seen as 'elitist sport' in Italy
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 18/09/2022
» This week's Italian Open brought back fond memories of me trying to qualify at Monticello Golf Club for the tournament back in the 1970s.