PGA McGladrey Team Championship

A year ago, thousands of your neighbors in golf began a special journey in golf. That adventure begins anew.

It is your chance to do what few can boast in their golf careers – to be part of a national championship. The PGA of America welcomes its nationwide membership, connected to amateur players everywhere, to discover that teamwork is alive and well in this game.

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship marks its second season in 2008, and we invited you to be a part of that story.

The Championship is the result of a partnership between The PGA of America and RSM McGladrey, the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting Firm of The PGA of America.

For those who were part of the inaugural 2007 Championship, we welcome you back. For those who have yet to sample what can be your most memorable golf experience, we have new elements to this year’s Championship.

The three steps to the national championship remain. From Local Qualifying Events from January through August; following 41 Section Championships through September, and leading up to the National Championship, Oct. 20-22, with a return to world-renowned Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.

This year, the handicap index increases; and more than one team may advance to the Section Championship based on Local Championship attendance.

Competitors this year will begin play on Course No. 8, and finish the final two days with play split between famed Course No. 2 and No. 4.

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship has proven to be a very popular addition to the golf schedules of amateurs and their Local PGA Professional. Make it a part of your 2008 plans in golf.

Are you ready to join the team? The journey begins now.

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2008 McGladrey PGA Team Championship

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The 2008 PGA McGladrey Championship is right around the corner.  Now is the time for amateur golfers to think about where they would like to compete in the local qualifier for this national tournament. 

Teams are composed of three amateurs. Each amateur must have an established USGA approved handicap index. The total maximum handicap index of all three partners combined will be no more then 54.0 if all male, 70.0 if one female, 80.0 if two female and 90.0 if all three female.

Note: If the total handicap index is greater then those listed, the player with the highest Handicap Index may play off a lower Handicap Index to make the team eligible. If the highest handicap index will be reduced significantly the reduction may be taken over two or three of the amateurs reducing the indexes evenly.

Guidelines of Amateur Participation
An amateur has the option to participate in multiple Local Qualifying Events as long as the team that the amateur is competing on does not advance to the Section Championship. Once a team has advanced to the Section Championship, the amateurs are prohibited from participating in any other Local Qualifying Events.

Note: If an amateur does not have a USGA handicap, they may play as a 0 handicap.

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Rules Of Golf Changes For 2008 Set By USGA And R&A

Far Hills, N.J. – Beginning in 2008, a golfer will be allowed to lift a ball for identification in a bunker or water hazard. However, there now will be a two-stroke penalty for playing a wrong ball from a hazard. In match play, the penalty will be loss of hole.

These notable changes to Rules 12-2 and 15-3, which have been under consideration for several years, are among the amendments to the Rules of Golf agreed upon by the United States Golf Association and R&A Rules Limited that will be in effect starting Jan. 1, 2008.

"There are a number of reasons for this significant change that will allow a player to lift a ball in a hazard for identification," said James T. Bunch, Chairman of the USGA’s Rules of Golf Committee. "First, there are already several Rules, such as Rules 5-3 (Ball Unfit for Play) and 22-2 (Ball Interfering with Play), that allow or require a player to lift his ball from a hazard, so the idea of lifting and then replacing a ball lying in a hazard is nothing new.

"Second, this provision will eliminate many difficult and unfortunate situations that occurred under the present version of Rule 12-1. For example, there is the case of a player who finds a ball in a hazard that may be his, and he then hits it out of bounds, without ever really knowing whether it was his ball. Third, there is the general principle that the elimination of one large exception from the Rules will only lead to a more consistent and understandable code."

Another notable change is the reduction in penalty in Rule 4-1 for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club from disqualification to, in stroke play, a penalty of two strokes per hole, with a maximum penalty of four strokes for the round.

The penalty for the accidental deflection of a ball by a player, his partner or either of their caddies or equipment under Rule 19-2 will be reduced to one penalty stroke in both match play and stroke play. (In 2007, the penalty was loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play.)

For more details on the Rules changes, please visit www.usga.org.

The Rules are reviewed jointly by the USGA and The R&A Rules Limited. Any proposed change must be agreed by both bodies before it can be adopted. The Rules of Golf are revised on a four-year cycle. The USGA is the governing body of golf in the United States and Mexico, while The R&A is the governing body in all other parts of the world.

These changes will be included in the new editions of "2008-2009 The Rules of Golf", "2008-2009 Decisions on The Rules of Golf" and "PCDecisions" software, which can be ordered online at www.usgapubs.com or by calling the USGA Order Department at (800) 336-4446, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET).

Principal Changes

General

The changes to the Rules generally fall into two broad categories: (1) those that improve the clarity of the Rules and (2) those that reduce the penalties in certain circumstances to ensure that they are proportionate.

Definitions

Advice — Amended to allow the exchange of information on distance, as it is not considered to be "advice."

Lost Ball — Amended to clarify substituted ball issues and to include the concept of "stroke-and-distance" (see corresponding changes to Rules 18-1, 24-3, 25-1c, 26 and 27-1).

Matches — Definition withdrawn and replaced by two new Definitions, "Forms of Match Play" and "Forms of Stroke Play."

Rules

Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Ball — Note added to clarify what constitutes a serious breach of Rule 1-2.

Rule 4-1. Form and Make of Clubs — Amended to reduce the penalty for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club or a club in breach of Rule 4-2, from disqualification to the same as carrying more than 14 clubs.

Rule 12-1. Searching for Ball; Seeing Ball — Amended to include searching for a ball in an obstruction.

Rule 12-2. Identifying Ball — Amended to allow a player to lift his ball for identification in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 15-3, removing the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard).

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions — Exception 1 amended for clarification; Exception 2 amended to refer to Rule 13-2; Exception 3 added to exempt a player from penalty under Rule 13-4a (testing the condition of the hazard) in certain circumstances.

Rule 14-3. Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment — Amended to refer to the unusual use of equipment (see also new Exception on use of equipment in a traditionally accepted manner) and new Exception added for players with a legitimate medical reason to use an artificial device or unusual equipment.

Note added to clarify that a Local Rule may be introduced allowing the use of distance-measuring devices; previously authorized by Decision only.

Rule 15-2. Substituted Ball — Exception added to avoid a "double penalty" when the player incorrectly substitutes a ball and plays from a wrong place (see corresponding change to Rule 20-7c).

Rule 15-3. Wrong Ball — Amended to remove the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 12-2, allowing the player to lift a ball for identification in a hazard).

Rule 16-1e. Standing Astride or on Line of Putt — Exception added to apply no penalty if the act was inadvertent or to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt; previously authorized by Decision only.

Rule 18. Ball at Rest Moved — Penalty statement amended to avoid a "double penalty" when the player lifts a ball without authority and incorrectly substitutes a ball (see related changes to Rules 15-2 and 20-7c).

Rule 18-1. Ball at Rest Moved; By Outside Agency — Note added to clarify the procedure when a ball might have been moved by an outside agency.

Rule 19-2. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment — Amended to reduce the penalty in both match play and stroke play to one stroke.

Rule 20-3a. Placing and Replacing; By Whom and Where — Amended to reduce the penalty for having the wrong person place or replace a ball to one stroke.

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play — Note added to avoid a "double penalty" when the player plays from a wrong place and incorrectly substitutes a ball (see corresponding change to Rule 15-2).

Rule 24-1. Movable Obstruction — Amended to allow a flagstick, whether attended, removed or held up, to be moved when a ball is in motion.

Rule 24-3. Ball in Obstruction Not Found;

Rule 25-1c. Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found;

Rule 26-1. Water Hazards (Including Lateral Water Hazards);

Rule 27-1. Stroke and Distance; Ball Out of Bounds; Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes –

In the above four Rules, the term "reasonable evidence" has been replaced by "known or virtually certain" when determining whether a ball that has not been found may be treated as lost in an obstruction (Rule 24-3), an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1) or a water hazard (Rule 26-1). See corresponding change to Definition of "Lost Ball" and Rule 18-1.

Appendix I

Seams of Cut Turf — New Specimen Local Rule added.

Temporary Immovable Obstruction — Clause II of the Specimen Local Rule amended to include an additional requirement that, for intervention relief to be granted, the temporary immovable obstruction must be on the player’s line of play.

Appendix II

Design of Clubs

Adjustability — Amended to allow forms of adjustability other than weight adjustment, subject to evaluation by the USGA.

Clubhead; Plain in Shape — Amended to clarify meaning of "plain in shape" and list some of the features that are not permitted; previously detailed in guidelines on equipment Rules.

Clubhead; Dimensions, Volume and Moment of Inertia — Sections added on moment of inertia and putter head dimensions; previously detailed in guidelines on equipment Rules and test protocols.

Clubhead; Spring Effect and Dynamic Properties — New section added on spring effect. The limit, as detailed in the Pendulum Test Protocol, now applies to all clubs (except putters) and in all forms of the game; previously covered by condition of competition.

Rules of Amateur Status

Rule 3-2a — Exception amended to clarify a cash prize for a hole-in-one made while playing golf is permissible.

Rule 4-2b — Note added regarding the rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Rule 4-2c — Note added regarding the rules of the NCAA.

Rule 6-2 — Exception added for a player promoting (a) his national, state or county union or association, (b) certain types of golf competitions or events or (c) a recognized charity.

How Golf Has Changed By: Bryan Haas, PGA Director of Golf at Blue Top Ridge at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort

Today’s sports have changed dramatically with well coached and informed athletes. The athletes today are taking better care of their bodies. They are aggressively searching out coaches and personal trainers to enhance their performances in their perspective sports. Golf is no exception.

I was watching ESPN Hockey Classics a few nights ago. Specifically the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals. The Vancouver Canucks were in their first Finals appearance and the defending champion New York Islanders, in their third Finals appearance. The Islanders would win the best-of-seven series four games to none, to win their third Stanley Cup. That was also their third straight Stanley Cup. You could say that they were a very dominant team for their sport and era. 

There was one key element to this game that stood out to me. It was not the score or the number of games that Vancouver needed to win to make a come back to win the Stanley Cup. It was the dramatic difference in the speed of the game in 1982 compared to the game today. It was like watching a men’s league game. It seemed to be in slow motion and the players were not nearly as athletic with the exception of a couple of superstars. It truly seemed as though the 1982 superstars had the ability of today’s average player. 

Today’s athletes are training harder and smarter to be the very best at their chosen craft. Hockey coaches and trainers now keep track of each players minutes on the ice during the game. Following the game, the trainers hand each of the players their post game workout regiments. Each workout is different to fit the needs of the individual player. This may include time on the stationary bike, time on the weights or both depending on the amount of ice time they received during the game.   Every team in the NHL whether on the road or at home now makes this workout a regular routine following each game. This has made a dramatic difference in the speed and ability of each of the players.   

Golf is not a game of speed and agility but it is a game of strategy, stamina and technical ability. Today’s teachers are becoming more like coaches and trainers, taking their players to areas of the game that were once thought to be only for highly physical sports like hockey and football. Today’s teachers need to understand their player’s physical abilities in order to cater to the players strengths. They also need to be able to identify the player’s weaknesses and be able to prescribe the correct training to overcome the weaknesses. Today’s PGA Tour players are searching out facilities like the Titleist Performance Institute to undertake full physical evaluations from Doctors, Trainers, Club Fitters and Teaching Professionals. Top amateurs are also seeking the help of facilities like the up and coming Riverside Golf Performance Studios. Like hockey, scoring is not tremendously different from years ago. However due to training, the number of top level players are increasing.

A player wanting to achieve an ability level that they are comfortable with should go through Golf Capacity Testing. Golf Capacity Testing provides a Performance Teacher the information they need to produce a comprehensive program to benefit your game long term. Performance teaching has four phases: physical analysis, video analysis, equipment analysis and playing analysis. The results of each of the tests are compiled along with a course of action to produce your individual Golf Performance Program. Making a change to your golf game will require some weekly physical effort on your part as well as direction and equipment corrections to create a permanent change.   

When choosing a Golf Professional to make that permanent change in your golf game, take the time to get to know each Golf Professional that you are interested in working with. Be sure to choose a Professional that you can communicate with openly.   Letting the Golf Professional know that you are a verbal or a visual learner will help your relationship grow. Shy away from single lessons. They are temporary. The “quick fix” lesson will not make a long term change in your game. Just as in real life, “if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.” Three ways you can choose a Golf Professional to start your transformation are: Word of mouth, the internet and local listings. Check out the PGA’s Play Golf America and Titleist Find a Fitter websites. The two web listings together will help you find a Golf Professional with a program that will work best for you by linking teaching programs with technical abilities.

By: Bryan Haas, PGA Director of Golf at Blue Top Ridge at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort