Showing 1 - 10 of 48
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.
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.
A few simple setup tweaks
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 06/08/2025
» Those of us getting on in life usually have more time to play but suffer from less flexibility, less range of motion and less speed. It's a sad combination, especially when your brain still remembers the swing you used to have.
One swing for pitch shots
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 30/07/2025
» Are you having problems with pitch shots around the green, perhaps you're undecided to hit it high or low or make it stop quickly. Here's a way of making the shot selection and execution process simpler.
Tweaks that make big difference
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 02/07/2025
» Stand tall and align your posture. A golf swing is a full-body motion and this is the huge difference between a new golfer and one with experience. The efficient transfer of energy during a swing is the main movement that identifies a good and useless golfer. Those who can play well are able to harness all of their rotational power from their hips, shoulders, and legs. Your spine should align with your knees, and the balls of your feet when hitting a tee shot. Keeping your posture straight will allow more consistent drives and longer shots.
Balance matters in swing
Sports, Brett Brasier, Published on 25/06/2025
» Make sure your legs are shoulder-width apart' because it's a straight forward requisite. Stand with your knees slightly bent with your feet gently angled. Your front foot should have a slight angle outward, or towards where you want to hit the ball. Your back foot should be angled at a 90-degree from the desired target.