[Hanjeong-eun's Beginner Golfer Special Lecture⑦] OB and Penalty Area "Always Bypass"

Beginners Should Focus on the "Par 4 Hole 3-On Strategy," Prioritize Escape Shots in Trouble, and Play Safe Lay-Ups

The right side of the green is filled with bunkers and a lake, so in this case, a virtual target is created on the relatively safe left side.

"Out of Bounds (OB) and Penalty Areas."

In actual play, OB is critical. It is marked with white stakes. After a one-stroke penalty, you immediately take your third shot, or after a two-stroke penalty, you drop the ball within two club lengths from the spot where the ball last crossed the boundary, choosing your fourth shot. Penalty areas such as water hazards, deserts, jungles, and rocks incur a one-stroke penalty. These are marked with red or yellow stakes. [Han Jeong-eun's Golf Beginner Special Lecture] In the seventh installment, we look at effective course strategies.

For beginners, detouring is always wise. If one side of the fairway is a danger zone, set your target on the safe side from the tee shot by dividing the fairway in half. Even if you make errors like slices or hooks, you can at least avoid penalties. For the second shot, if penalty areas like ponds lie on the path to the green, use a lay-up to set up your third shot for the challenge. The strategy is to reach the green in three shots on par-4 holes and in four shots on par-5 holes.

Look at . The right side of the green is full of bunkers and a lake, so create a virtual target on the relatively safe left side. When choosing a golf club, focus on the distance you are most confident with for the next shot. For example, if a full pitching wedge shot covers 100 yards, 100 yards is better than 80 yards. This means don’t be greedy with distance when laying up. If your ball lands in a penalty area, it is better to accept a one-stroke penalty than to attempt a risky shot.

It is interesting that shots are allowed within penalty areas. According to the golf rules revised in January 2019 by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA), you can remove loose impediments and your club may touch water or the ground. Previously, this incurred a two-stroke penalty. The same applies to bunkers. You may touch obstacles like tree branches, pine cones, or stones. However, placing the club behind the ball in the sand during address is still prohibited.

The penalty area is filled with elements that interfere with shots.

The problem is that trouble shots usually make the situation worse. As shown in , penalty areas are filled with elements that interfere with shots. Unlike screen golf, golf courses rarely have flat terrain. Visually, they pressure the player and do not allow comfortable shots. Once again, the key points for actual play are emphasized. First, aiming and setup focus on ‘spine tilt,’ and finally, a smooth tempo.

▲ Map = Pro Han Jeong-eun jhangolf@naver.com

▲ Compiled by = Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun golfkim@asiae.co.kr