This is the time of the year golf leagues around the county are starting to play. I thought this would be a good time to explain some strategies and rules.

Most leagues are scoring points based off Match play. You win the hole you win a point for your team. 

As a basic strategy, I always thought that if I was the player receiving a stroke on a certain hole, they would play that hole more conservatively. My opponent must beat me by two shots to win the hole. More pressure on him I would say. 

If I’m a 10 handicap and my opponent is a 1 that means I’m getting 1 handicap stroke on every hole. I want to make him hit great shots to beat me. That’s hard. I don’t have to go for the flag on every approach shot, just try and hit the middle of the green. My opponent must make up the shot not me. See how each hole plays out. 

If you both miss a green on a par four and you’re trying to get up and down for a par, DO NOT try to hit the miracle flop shot. Just give yourself a par putt and make your opponent get up and down for their par. More often than not, smart play wins.

Yesterday the rules for week 1 matches at the Villa Roma were your basic play the ball as it lies. That means you can’t touch the ball. You can’t clean the ball. You can’t move it in the rough to get a better lie. Golf has rules and should be abided by all the time. 

If the conditions are wet on the course the rules might change. That day you might be able to lift, clean, and place your ball back where it was in the fairway only. If you don’t know the rules of the game get yourself a rules book. It’s a great read. You will learn a lot about etiquette and rules.