Quote:
Originally Posted by golfing eagles
I agree----although as I understand it, the courses south of 466 have water restrictions that do not apply to the most northern courses. Also, the USGA discourages "preferred lies", since it chews up the remaining good turf, as well as being contrary to the fundamental principle of "playing the ball as it lies". For those that are a big fan of overseeding, it is controversial. Many top rated courses in the southern states no longer overseed as it is thought to delay the re-emergence of the Bermuda grass in the spring and makes for very uneven greens when the transition is taking place. On the other hand, it makes for a better playing surface during the winter and looks better.
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Interesting points: I'd not heard about the difference in water restrictions. Also never heard that about the USGA discouraging "preferred lies" due to the effect on remaining turf. I have to think about that. Off the cuff it seems to me that if you don't move the ball, you are just further destroying the crap that your ball is sitting on. Not sure why that would be preferable to moving the ball and giving that area a chance to heal. Sounds thin to me, but like I say, I'd have to think about that. What are your thoughts on that theory?
Of course I assumed they find it contrary to the fundamental principle of "playing it where it lies". Up north, in the summer, where the ball actually lies on (or in) grass, I'd prefer to play it as it lies. In The Villages, in winter, there is just so little grass under the ball,rather than hear everyone complain about it, and watch a steady succession of skulled shots, and unraked bunkers, we just move 'em and move along.
In many, if not most cases, you can't find any grass to put the ball on anyway.
I'm not as serious about the game as I once was. I barely play at all up north, in summer due to other interests. I play in winter in TV 2x/week on championship courses, and 1x/week on executive. It's nigh on impossible to practice off of the kind of turf one finds on the courses. Nearly all of the practice ranges are off mats. I find the less hitting I do off mats, the better I play on the courses. So, I'm less inclined to follow the dicta of the USGA than I once was. Most of those people who make up the rules are playing nicer courses than I'll ever see.