Recent content by mikejohnchapman

  1. mikejohnchapman

    Ball in Motion on Green Hits Robotic Mower

    The irony is that they don't use them currently on the greens. Possibly a next step. Not sure they would use them during hours of play.
  2. mikejohnchapman

    Ball in Motion on Green Hits Robotic Mower

    It was a local professional & ex-Tour player
  3. mikejohnchapman

    Ball in Motion on Green Hits Robotic Mower

    A group of us attended a rules quiz recently at a club which has deployed a fleet of robotic mowers. Several questions referred to interaction with mowers - most of which were pretty obvious. However, one related to a putt on a green hitting a mower and going into the hole. The answer was it was...
  4. mikejohnchapman

    Do you still practice during the winter or off-season?

    Range once a week just to keep the muscle memory active - more if a lesson points to changs. Majority of practice in winter is on the putting mat at home.
  5. mikejohnchapman

    6 rules changes the PGA Tour is enacting in 2026

    Whilst I have never seen one I believe the 6 inch measurement was based on the stymie stick length which golfers carried when it was part of the rules. This in turn was used as the usual size of a scorecard.
  6. mikejohnchapman

    I bought today.....

    An ex Demo Taylormade QI35 7 wood being sold off before the new stuff comes in.
  7. mikejohnchapman

    Playing a practice shot during a competition round

    I think clubs need to take some responsibility here. I know I'm old but when we started to play we were taught the basic rules and etiquette before we were allowed to play in club competitions / matches. We now seem to expect new players to learn the rules and apply them with almost no help. I...
  8. mikejohnchapman

    Why can't slope ratings be more fluid?

    Oh some do complain that mainly their slope rating is too high (not so much course rating). Often it's either the men's or the women's SR that's questioned - rarely both. In these cases the rating information is reviewed by regional assessors as a double check.
  9. mikejohnchapman

    Why can't slope ratings be more fluid?

    True and it is also a fact that the club are asked for information relating to their course such as average rough height & stimp ratings which, although checked, tend to be used as they represent the normal playing conditions.
  10. mikejohnchapman

    Why can't slope ratings be more fluid?

    Whilst rating can be wrong due to interpretation on the day a great deal of the measurements taken are factual and usually double checked so it's unlikely they are incorrect due to errors in measurement. A couple of points not discussed: The rating guidance has changed over the 12 years we...
  11. mikejohnchapman

    Designating Bunkers as Out of Play

    In as much as you can play it as it lies - yes, but a penalty area isn't an abnormal ground condition offering free relief.
  12. mikejohnchapman

    Designating Bunkers as Out of Play

    It's that time of the year and bunkers are filling with water. A local rule has been applied which outlines a new procedure at our course. Bunkers affected are marked with a blue stake and a player is entitled to free relief under 16.1 - no problem here. However, the way the LR is phrased...
  13. mikejohnchapman

    2x2ball Matches in a group of four

    We have this situation in our inter-club leagues which are played on a Saturday afternoon (mandated). The course will always be crowded with 4 balls and despite being given a buffer of 30 minutes you catch the field by the 4th hole. We often agree with the opposition to play in 4's to avoid too...
  14. mikejohnchapman

    The Irish Trial

    It's a framework not a system. There are options and geographies can make decisions on implementation. It was ever thus and will continue to be so.
  15. mikejohnchapman

    I bought today.....

    Brand new Mizuno T24 58 degree wedge in an early Black Monday sale for £109. Delivered free on Monday (hopefully),
Top