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Threading Shots Through Gaps In The Trees Stroke Savers

I have played golf for more than 40 years. Most days on the course I find myself shaking my head at the dreadful decisions people make, especially after hitting their tee shot into the trees. The sound of the ball pinging around amongst Japanese cedars happens far to often and even has begun to creep into my dreams. You cannot imagine my frustration as I watch hard-working students not improve their scores because they try to weave their ball through a gap in the trees that even Phil Mickelson wouldn't attempt. Inevitably they end up with scorecard wrecking 9 and I realise their recent lobotomy was a complete success.

Golf courses in Japan are mostly parkland-style courses whose fairways are heavily tree-lined. It is quite a rare occurrence to play links golf here. Even the...

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What happens if your ball strikes another players ball? Golfing Rules, Seriously!

On the course this past weekend, I putt from just off the green and my ball struck my playing partners ball, knocking it closer to the hole.

After a quick giggle, we began to discuss the ruling, 'I'll play from there and its a one-shot penalty for you' my friend said. 'I was off the green' I said, 'Doesn't matter' he said. Right, I said. 'Hang on, and I'll consult the rule book'.

Luckily, I had The R&A's Rules of Golf on my phone (Well worth a download and it's FREE)

Without quoting the book verbatim, there are basically three scenarios which you should be mindful of:

On the Fairway (updated June 14th, 2023) If your ball strikes a fellow player's ball on the fairway by accident, The 9.6 rule comes into affect, meaning If my ball...

What happens if I ground my club in a bunker? The new rules of golf explained

In 2020, the US Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) made several changes to the rules of golf.

One major change was to the "drop procedure" when a ball is lost or out of bounds. Players are now allowed to drop the ball from shoulder height, rather than knee height, making the process more consistent and less prone to mistakes. Another change was to the rule regarding penalty strokes. Players will no longer be penalized for accidentally moving a ball on the green, such as when marking or lifting it.

Additionally, players are now allowed to repair almost any damage to the course, such as spike marks on the green. The changes also include simplifying the rules for bunkers, allowing players to touch or move loose impediments...

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Threading Shots Through Gaps In The Trees Stroke Savers

I have played golf for more than 40 years. Most days on the course I find myself shaking my head at the dreadful decisions people make, especially after hitting their tee shot into the trees. The sound of the ball pinging around amongst Japanese cedars happens far to often and even has begun to creep into my dreams. You cannot imagine my frustration as I watch hard-working students not improve their scores because they try to weave their ball through a gap in the trees that even Phil Mickelson wouldn't attempt. Inevitably they end up with scorecard wrecking 9 and I realise their recent lobotomy was a complete success.

Golf courses in Japan are mostly parkland-style courses whose fairways are heavily tree-lined. It is quite a rare occurrence to play links golf here. Even the...

How to prepare mentally for Matchplay 4 keys to remember

Golf is a sport that requires both physical and mental preparation in order to perform at your best. While many golfers focus on the physical aspects of the game, such as swing mechanics and course management, it is equally important to focus on the mental aspects of matchplay. Get yourself ready for that monthly medal and learn how to mentally prepare for matchplay in order to give yourself the best chance of success.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that matchplay is different from strokeplay. In stroke play, the goal is to shoot the lowest score possible over the course of a round. In matchplay, the goal is to beat your opponent. This shift in mindset can be difficult for some golfers to adjust to, but it is essential to understand that matchplay is a...

What happens if I ground my club in a bunker? The new rules of golf explained

In 2020, the US Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) made several changes to the rules of golf.

One major change was to the "drop procedure" when a ball is lost or out of bounds. Players are now allowed to drop the ball from shoulder height, rather than knee height, making the process more consistent and less prone to mistakes. Another change was to the rule regarding penalty strokes. Players will no longer be penalized for accidentally moving a ball on the green, such as when marking or lifting it.

Additionally, players are now allowed to repair almost any damage to the course, such as spike marks on the green. The changes also include simplifying the rules for bunkers, allowing players to touch or move loose impediments...

Keys to the long drive Fred talks to Kaori Saito - Japan Long Drive Champion

Japan long-driving champion Kaori Saito is the same age as Tiger Woods, but their golf journeys began 26 years apart. When Saito picked up a golf club for the first time, Woods had already won 14 majors. Like Ayako Okamoto, a former Japan softball star who took up golf at the age of 20 and became a giant of the game, Saito was set on succeeding in a different sport and an even more unlikely one: field hockey. Hailing from the wintry northern prefecture of Iwate, it was going to be a tough challenge to succeed in either sport.

But Saito is now a 10-time, long-driving champion in Japan and has finished as high as sixth at the World Championship (Las Vegas in 2016). Determination has taken her to the top of a sport – long driving – that has received plenty of attention thanks to...

How to Become A Better Putter Speed: The Most Important Element Of Putting

To be a good putter requires dedication. It’s the most used club in our bag yet easily the least practiced. The reason golfers don’t like practicing their putting is due to boredom. Most would admit that pounding a few drives at the local driving range is much more exciting than working their putting. Knowing these tendencies I have written a very simple tip below that will help your putting, without having to spend hours perfecting your stroke on the practice greens.

Putting can be complicated but let's simplify it into three parts. Reading greens, speed, and putting stroke. In order to hole putts we need to have skill in all 3 areas. However, there is a pecking order that the average golfer never quite understands. Golfers buy new putters constantly looking for the secret...

Can I Take Relief From A Water-Filled Bunker? Golfing Rules-Seriously!

On a recent golf outing following some heavy rainy season weather with some friends, a lot of bunkers were filled with rainwater. One bunker, in particular, was half-filled with a puddle but the other half was mucky. My playing partner landed in the mucky part, and after failing to get out after two attempts tried to argue the point of 'Casual water should apply' and this 'Should have been staked'. After we refused his requests, he actually opted for an unplayable and moved the ball out from the bunker on the same line of entering, about 5 feet from the edge of the bunker, and took a 1 shot penalty. He wasn't a happy camper and was grumbling all the way home in fact. So what do the rules state?

Rules on water in a bunker: When the bunker is filled with...
Club 360 7 Mobility and Stability Drills for Golfers to Increase Swing Power and Improve Golf Performance

7 Mobility and Stability Drills for Golfers Sam Gilbert

Any golfer, or even those who have simply observed the game of golf, inherently understand that the swing is primarily a rotational movement. With any rotational sport, whether it be golf, punching, throwing, or tennis, there is a contribution to this rotation from several segments of the body, or what we refer to as the kinetic chain.

Maximizing force output in rotational movements for the large part requires optimization of rotational force through the hips and the upper back (thoracic spine).

If we fail to utilize these areas to their maximal potential, we may leave a lot of potential power (in other words, yards!) on the table. This may also increase the rotational load through the lower back, potentially contributing to injury in this area.

Utilization of...

4 Strategies to Hit Better Approach Shots Stroke Savers

When watching the PGA tour you will often see the stat for GIR or 'Greens in regulation' appear on the screen. You might have thought that SGP or 'Strokes gained putting' is the most important area for saving strokes in a round of golf, but it is actually the approach that accounts for 40% of the scoring average.

So, how do you improve your approach shots? In this guide, we have four strategies that will have you doing exactly that.

First off, let me explain what an approach is. An approach shot is generally any shot at the green on a par-4 or par-5, basically not including your drives on these holes. Par-3s are not considered an approach shot, but strategies two to four below can be used for par-3s as well.

Getting Your Body Alignment Right Start With Good Fundamentals

If you are hitting a lot of shots offline and struggling with your consistency, try taking a look at your alignment. To align your body properly, your feet, hips and shoulders should be square (parallel) to the target line. You should imagine two lines running parallel to each other. Railroad tracks should be something easy to envision. The ball is on the outside track (target line) and you are standing on the inside track with your feet parallel to the outside track. Dont' forget your shoulders should also be in line with your feet, and also your hips.

Tempo drill Mini Lesson

Golfers sometimes struggle to be consistent from one club to another (especially irons to woods) because their tempo varies from club to club. If your tempo varies from club to club, it makes it very difficult to have the proper timing to hit consistent golf shots. To work on your tempo, try the drill below.

Get in your athletic set up position. Without a ball, do continuous swings for 15 seconds. To help with your tempo, try counting (1.................2). Do this drill with woods, long irons and short irons. Hopefully, your tempo will remain the same for each club.

Playing 4 rule in Japan Golfing rules, Seriously!!

In order to speed up play, most Japanese courses have OB tees on holes where players tend to hit OB's, or into ponds.etc.. The OB tees (usually marked with yellow tee markers or with a sign saying it has a forward tee) are located where a good tee shot would have landed, and therefore you play your 4th shot from there.

OB tees can also be on par-3 holes in Japan, and would normally be located past the hazards and close to the green where you`ll be playing your third shot.

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What happens if your ball strikes another players ball? Golfing Rules, Seriously!

On the course this past weekend, I putt from just off the green and my ball struck my playing partners ball, knocking it closer to the hole.

After a quick giggle, we began to discuss the ruling, 'I'll play from there and its a one-shot penalty for you' my friend said. 'I was off the green' I said, 'Doesn't matter' he said. Right, I said. 'Hang on, and I'll consult the rule book'.

Luckily, I had The R&A's Rules of Golf on my phone (Well worth a download and it's FREE)

Without quoting the book verbatim, there are basically three scenarios which you should be mindful of:

On the Fairway (updated June 14th, 2023) If your ball strikes a fellow player's ball on the fairway by accident, The 9.6 rule comes into affect, meaning If my ball...

An Insider’s Guide to Toranomon Hills Residential Tower These serene serviced apartments offer a blend of luxury living and home comforts in the heart of Tokyo

A well-located residential property that rivals a five-star hotel, is furnished to an impeccably high standard, and comes with friendly, hospitable staff? That doesn’t sound like a bad way to begin your new life in Japan, does it?

Whether you’re coming to the city on a short to medium-term assignment or wanting to get your bearings before settling longer-term, serviced apartments are a first-class option for temporary accommodation in Tokyo – especially if you are looking to make the most of your experience here.

Right now, the best-in-class serviced apartment in the capital has got to be the newly opened Toranomon Hills Residential Tower, part of the Toranamon Hills development project. I recently had a chance to visit the development and learn more about its urban...