Watch this amazing video (click here) of 9 player putting 9 balls in one cup. It is not just a matter of accuracy but also the speed of each ball, great job by the team.
Golf Photographers: Robert Matre
Robert Matre‘s passion for photography was born on a golf course, when he took his camera to a practice round for the WGC- American Express Championship in Atlanta in the Fall of 2003. Over the past ten years, he has photographed over 50 tournaments, including eight consecutive U.S. Opens from 2004 – 2011. To see more of his work click here, and prepare to be mesmerized.
The Original Rules of Golf
We all know how some of the golf rules are a bit complicated – our Costliest Rulings in Golf series covers some of these instances. But way back in 1744, when the original Rules of Golf issued by the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, it was much simpler – just 13 rules vs the 182 pages rule we have today.
Here are those 13 golden rules for our Scratchpad members – you’ll be surprised to find how many are still in play today.
1. You must tee your ball within a club’s length of the hole.
2. Your tee must be on the ground. (Note that Tees back in these days, consisted of little pyramids of sand)
3. You are not to change the ball which you strike off the tee.
4. You are not to remove stones, bones or any break club for the sake of playing your ball, except upon the fair green, and that only within a club’s length of the ball.
5. If your ball comes among watter, or any wattery filth, you are at liberty to take out your ball and bringing it behind the hazard and teeing it, you may play it with any club and allow your adversary a stroke for so getting out your ball.
6. If your balls be found anywhere touching one another you are to lift the first ball till you play the last.
7. At holling you are to play your ball honestly at the hole, and not to play upon your adversary’s ball, not lying in your way to the hole.
8. If you should lose your ball, by its being taken up, or any other way, you are to go back to the spot where you struck last and drop another ball and allow your adversary a stroke for the misfortune.
9. No man at holling his ball is to be allowed to mark his way to the hole with his club or anything else.
10. If a ball be stopp’d by any person, horse, dog, or any thing else, the ball so stopp’d must be played where it lyes.
11. If you draw your club in order to strike and proceed so far in the stroke as to be bringing down your club, if then your club should break in any way, it is to be accounted a stroke.
12. He whose ball lyes farthest from the hole is obliged to play first.
13. Neither trench, ditch, or dyke made for the preservation of the links, nor the Scholars’ Holes or the soldiers’ lines shall be accounted a hazard but the ball is to be taken out, teed and play’d with any iron club.
20 Interesting Tee Markers
It’s true that anything small in sports can be branded. In Golf, tee markers are no exceptions. But this form of advertising is cute and not annoying – go through the below list of some interesting tee markers we came across.
Moe Norman – The greatest golfer you’ve never heard of
Murray Irwin “Moe” Norman was a legend. He was arguably one of the best ball strikers ever.
His accuracy and ability to hit shot after shot perfectly straight gave him the nickname “Pipeline Moe”. But it is unfortunate that many don’t even have heard of him, probably because of a short career. He turned professional in 1957 but played just 27 PGA tour before returning to play in Canada after a bitter experience with the officials. But nothing can take away the serious talent he possessed and we’ll never know what he might have achieved if he had a longer career.
He won 55 Canadian Tour events, had 33 course records, and 17 hole-in-one’s. Yes you read that right – 17 hole-in-one’s! 59 is considered to be the magic score in golf – well, he did that too, not once but thrice!
In January 1995, Titleist decided to pay Moe $5,000 per month for nothing more than his unique contribution to the game of golf. Moe passed away September 4, 2004 at the age of 74.
Watch this below video (or Click here) on Moe Norman. Truly inspirational!
Rory Mcllroy – a child prodigy?
Watch this below video (or click here) of Rory McIlroy having a perfect swing with his teeny weeny delicate hands. Truly amazing for a 3 year old!
Ballyliffin Golf Club, Ireland
Ballyliffin club, founded in the year 1947 is Ireland’s most ‘northerly’ golf club. Located in the extreme north-east of the Republic of Ireland close to the Inishowen Peninsula, Ballyliffin comprises of 365 acres of spectacular dune land which is surrounded by hills and mountains with the only borderline being the Atlantic Ocean.
Two outstanding and distinct 18 holes link – the classic Old Links and the wonderful new Glashedy Links, a world-class club house, and an unprecedented panoramic view of mountains and coastline make up Ballyliffin Golf Club a stunning and an amazing destination to sport. The Old acreage is designed by Mother Nature herself with little succor from Eddie Hackett and English architects – Lawrie and Pennick, who offered a final touch to the course.
The Old Links undulate in a natural setting that provides a sense of tranquility, presenting an immensely enjoyable challenge to every golfer. Running across 6,937 yards from the championship tee and a par of 71 with sweeping ocean views, the old links offer many fantastic holes with challenging fairways riding dangers at every turn. Upon his first visit to Ballyliffin in the 1990s, Faldo reportedly fell so in love with the Old Links that he stayed overnight to finish playing all 18 holes and attempted to buy the club which was later turned down. But nevertheless his work at the Old Links clearly showcases his attachment to the place. Faldo renovated all the bunkers and repositioned several tees, allowing for more awe-inspiring views of the Glashedy Rock off the coast.
The Old Course at Ballyliffin is the most natural course I have ever played.”
– Nick Faldo
Glashedy measures over 7,000 yards from the Championship tees with large undulating greens, deep bunkers and fairways that twist and roll between towering dunes. The challenges presented by the Glashedy Links are almost as intimidating as exciting. Many regard the Old Course as ‘better’ than the newer Glashedy course and this is because, without doubt, Glashedy is a severely punishing golf test that demands you to be on top of your game from start to finish. But nevertheless both these wonderful courses guarantees a lifetime experience for any golf lover, especially to a keen golfer who appreciates beautiful views and challenging courses.
Iconic Moments in Golf – Part 2
Following up on our first post of iconic golf moments, below we share photographs of key moments in the game of golf. Have we missed any?
Continue reading “Iconic Moments in Golf – Part 2”
Iconic Moments in Golf – Part 1
Over its history, the game of golf has had its share of iconic moments – inspirational events that are remembered by all golfers. Below, in pictures, our Scratchpad team lists a few of these iconic moments. Which ones are we missing?
Continue reading “Iconic Moments in Golf – Part 1”
The Science behind Lip Outs
You drive for show, but putt for dough.
Do you know that you’ll never sink a putt if your ball is moving faster than 3.65 mph? How about if it is better to putt from above or below the hole?
Watch this video from ESPN Sports Science desk to learn a bit more on the physics of putting.