Reporters

Janet Llanillo Ron Lopez

Golf
is an individual sport played by hitting a ball
with a club from a tee into a hole. The object is
to get the ball into the hole with the least
number of swings or strokes of the club. Golf
is a hugely popular sport that is enjoyed by
people of all ages. Golf is often played
competitively, but can also be played for
relaxation and just to enjoy the outdoors.
The playing area for golf is called
a Golf course.

Unlike many sports, the course is not a

standard or fixed size. Courses vary in length and design.
This is one of the many aspects of golf that have made it so
popular and interesting. Many people enjoy trying out and
experiencing different courses. Courses can be very different
depending on the local terrain. Imagine how different a flat
desert course is from a hilly forest course. Many golf courses
are famous and known for their beauty or difficulty. Perhaps
the most famous golf course in the United States is Augusta
National in Augusta, Ga. This is where The Masters golf
tournament is played each year.
Each golf course is made up of a number of golf holes.
Usually 18 holes, but some courses only have 9 holes. On
each hole the golfer first hits the ball from a tee area towards
the hole. The hole is on a smooth area of short grass called
the green. Typically it will take the golfer a number of shots to
get to the green. Once the golf ball is on the green, the golfer
will use a putter to roll or "putt" the ball into the hole. The
number of strokes are counted up for the hole and recorded
on a score card. At the end of the course all the strokes are
totaled and the golfer with the fewest number of strokes wins.
Short History of Golf
Golf was invented and first played in Scotland in the 15th
century. Golf quickly spread to England and from there
throughout the world. The first Golf Club, The Honorable
Company of Edinburgh Golfers, was formed in Scotland in
1744. The first official rule guides were published not much
later. In United States, the PGA was formed in 1916 ushering
professional golf. Today golf is a very popular sport with major
golf tournaments drawing huge crowds both live and on
television.
The two main items that a golfer needs to
play golf are a Golf club and a Golf ball.
Most golfers have multiple golf clubs that are
specialized for different shots. They also have
other equipment that we'll discuss below.
Golf Clubs
Each golfer can carry up to 14 golf clubs in their bag. Many of the clubs are
numbered. The number refers to the angle or loft of the club. The lower the
number of the club the lower the angle or loft. So a 1 iron will have very little
angle or loft allowing the ball to go further on a lower trajectory while a 9
iron will have a lot of loft and will cause the golf ball to be hit high into the
air.
There are three main traditional types of golf clubs:

Woods: Woods have a big head (sometimes made out of wood) and
are played for long shots. They tend to have less accuracy and are
harder to hit than irons, but they will hit the ball further. Woods are
numbered clubs with the lowest having the least loft and typically called
a driver. Woods are usually hit of the tee or from the fairway on long golf
holes.
Irons: Irons are clubs with a more flat head made out of metal. Irons tend
to be more accurate, allowing the golfer more control over the distance,
spin, and direction of the ball. Many irons are numbered for their loft, but
there are some specialized irons that have names; for example the Wedge
or Sand Wedge. Irons are used by golfers from pretty much every location
and shot on the golf course, but are especially helpful in the rough or when
approaching the green.

Putters: The putter is a club with a flat face used to roll the ball. Putters are
mostly used on the green, but may sometimes be used from the fringe to
roll the ball onto the green. Good putting is a key to scoring well in golf,
although the type of putter is not nearly as important as the skill of the
golfer doing the putting.
Golf Balls
Golf balls have a minimum diameter (1.68 inches) and weight (1.62
ounces) defined by the rules. The materials that the ball is made of will
affect the characteristics of the ball when hit. A harder ball will travel
further, but a softer ball will allow the golfer more control over spin and
distance.
Other Golf Equipment
In addition to the mandatory golf clubs and balls, golfers will also need a
bag to carry their clubs and other extras (like balls and tees). Golf tees are
also used when teeing off to raise the ball up and to allow for a cleaner shot
off the teeing area. Most golfers also wear special golf shoes that have
spikes on the soles to help them grip the ground and keep their balance
while swinging the club. Another helpful piece of equipment is the glove.
Most golfers will wear a club on their off-hand (i.e. a right-hander will wear a
glove on the left hand). The golf can help keep a good grip on the club
without having to squeeze the club too hard. A towel is a good idea to clean
off the golf ball and/or the club head. If rain is a possibility, it's a good idea to
have an umbrellas as well.
Golf: Rules
The main rule of golf is to play fair. Even on the back cover of
the rule book it states to;
1) play the course as you find it.
2) play the course as it lies and
3) if you can't do either, do what is fair.

-So fairness is a key to golf. There will be times when playing

golf that you are tempted to cheat. Standing out in the woods
and your ball is right behind a tree, the temptation to kick the
ball over a few feet to get a good shot. Don't do it! Golf is a
game of etiquette and conscience. The game will be more
rewarding if you always play by the rules and play fair.
-When starting to play a round of golf, it's always a good idea to read the
local rules on the scorecard. These will give you guidelines that are
specific to that course.
The official rules of golf in the US are governed by the United States Golf
Association (USGA), but here are some basic rules to keep in mind when
playing golf:

You must play the golf ball where it lies, unless there is a rule that allows
you to move it.
The golf course may not be changed to gain an advantage, unless there
is a rule that allows for a specific change.
If your ball is in a bunker or water hazard, your golf club cannot touch the
ground or water prior to your actual swing. If it does, you must take a
penalty stroke.
If you accidentally play the wrong golf ball (oops!), you get a two stroke
penalty.
On the green, you may mark and lift your ball to clean it or get it out of
another golfer's way.
When putting the ball must not hit the flag. If the golf ball does
hit the flag, it is a two stroke penalty.
If you loose the ball in a water hazard, you can drop the ball
behind the hazard and in line with the golf hole. You must take
a penalty stroke.
If you loose the ball out of bounds, you can take a penalty
stroke and then replay the shot.
If your ball is unplayable, you may take a penalty stroke and
then drop the golf ball behind where the ball was and in line
with the hole or drop the golf ball within two club lengths.
You are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs in your golf bag.
Golfers must tee off behind and between the tee markers.
Never in front of the tee markers.
 RULES OF GOLF
AND HOW TO PLAY
Thank You