I have heard of  a simple technique for improving your swing, to straighten
out slices and hooks, and for driving longer.
I heard that if you apply a simple lubricant, like vasoline, to the club
face, not a lot, just a small amount with a towel, the swing will improve
immensly. Anyone aware of this?

In article <Ubd1k.3344$N87.1898@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc.com>, APARKR@AOL.COM 
says...
> I have heard of  a simple technique for improving your swing, to straighten
> out slices and hooks, and for driving longer.
> I heard that if you apply a simple lubricant, like vasoline, to the club
> face, not a lot, just a small amount with a towel, the swing will improve
> immensly. Anyone aware of this?

Doubt "immensly".
Vasoline (KY Jelly even better),  makes surface slicker, theoretically 
reducing friction and  hence, spin.
Same theory as spitball pitchers in American baseball. In this case, 
ball comes off fingers with less spin, but retains speed, so they get 
the erratic movement of a knuckle ball but with much more speed. 
Illegal, of course (but has been done).

Unlikely for a golf hacker to realize any difference.
Of course, illegal in golf also.

MM

ALAN PARKER in <Ubd1k.3344$N87.1898@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc.com>:

>I have heard of  a simple technique for improving your swing, to straighten
>out slices and hooks, and for driving longer.
>I heard that if you apply a simple lubricant, like vasoline, to the club
>face, not a lot, just a small amount with a towel, the swing will improve
>immensly. Anyone aware of this?

Are you aware of RoG 4-2 b. "Foreign Material"?

<http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules.html>

plus Decision 4-2/4 to get some awareness what is considered 
"foreign material"!

Ciao,

Paul

"MoiMoi" <moimoi@example.invalid> wrote in message 
news:MPG.22af42129fd6425e9899e2@news.individual.net...
> In article <Ubd1k.3344$N87.1898@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc.com>, APARKR@AOL.COM
> says...
>> I have heard of  a simple technique for improving your swing, to 
>> straighten
>> out slices and hooks, and for driving longer.
>> I heard that if you apply a simple lubricant, like vasoline, to the club
>> face, not a lot, just a small amount with a towel, the swing will improve
>> immensly. Anyone aware of this?
>
> Doubt "immensly".
> Vasoline (KY Jelly even better),  makes surface slicker, theoretically
> reducing friction and  hence, spin.
> Same theory as spitball pitchers in American baseball. In this case,
> ball comes off fingers with less spin, but retains speed, so they get
> the erratic movement of a knuckle ball but with much more speed.
> Illegal, of course (but has been done).
>
> Unlikely for a golf hacker to realize any difference.
> Of course, illegal in golf also.
>
> MM

I've seen that demonstrated by simply pouring water on the face of a driver 
and you do drive the ball further.

I think it's on one of the 'Today's Golfer' DVDs. Either that or on their 
website (I can't entirely remember).

It made me wonder whether or not deliberately allowing the clubface to 
remain wet in wet conditions was allowable or even if it could be penalised.

Would any of the rules gurus have an opinions on that one?


Stephen

Stephen Stewart in :

>I've seen that demonstrated by simply pouring water on the face of a driver 
>and you do drive the ball further.
>
>I think it's on one of the 'Today's Golfer' DVDs. Either that or on their 
>website (I can't entirely remember).
>
>It made me wonder whether or not deliberately allowing the clubface to 
>remain wet in wet conditions was allowable or even if it could be penalised.
>
>Would any of the rules gurus have an opinions on that one?

Not a rules guru but possibly more than average interested,
I'd again like to point to decision 4-2/4 which states that even your own
saliva when used with the intent to modify the ball's movement is "foreign
material" prohibited by RoG 4-2: Penalty is loss of one or two holes or two
to four strokes, respectively.

Ciao,

Paul

"Paul Schmitz-Josten"  wrote in message 
news:g24bu2$sam$03$2@news.t-online.com...
> Stephen Stewart in :
>
>>I've seen that demonstrated by simply pouring water on the face of a 
>>driver
>>and you do drive the ball further.
>>
>>I think it's on one of the 'Today's Golfer' DVDs. Either that or on their
>>website (I can't entirely remember).
>>
>>It made me wonder whether or not deliberately allowing the clubface to
>>remain wet in wet conditions was allowable or even if it could be 
>>penalised.
>>
>>Would any of the rules gurus have an opinions on that one?
>
> Not a rules guru but possibly more than average interested,
> I'd again like to point to decision 4-2/4 which states that even your own
> saliva when used with the intent to modify the ball's movement is "foreign
> material" prohibited by RoG 4-2: Penalty is loss of one or two holes or 
> two
> to four strokes, respectively.
>
> Ciao,
>
> Paul

Yes I can see where you're coming from with regard to deliberately applying 
a 'foreign material' to the club which is understandable for saliva/vaseline 
etc etc but can moisture that is naturally on the club through normal play 
regarded as 'foreign material'?

Is it not in those circumstances a bit like the grass that come between the 
club face and the ball i.e. perfectly normal during the course of normal 
play?

I was thinking along the lines of 'what's to stop you not putting the cover 
on the driver during rain?' rather than someone deliberately pouring water 
on the club face.


Stephen

Paul Schmitz-Josten  writes:

> Stephen Stewart in :
> 
> >I've seen that demonstrated by simply pouring water on the face of a driver 
> >and you do drive the ball further.
> >
> >I think it's on one of the 'Today's Golfer' DVDs. Either that or on their 
> >website (I can't entirely remember).
> >
> >It made me wonder whether or not deliberately allowing the clubface to 
> >remain wet in wet conditions was allowable or even if it could be penalised.
> >
> >Would any of the rules gurus have an opinions on that one?
> 
> Not a rules guru but possibly more than average interested,
> I'd again like to point to decision 4-2/4 which states that even your own
> saliva when used with the intent to modify the ball's movement is "foreign
> material" prohibited by RoG 4-2: Penalty is loss of one or two holes or two
> to four strokes, respectively.

You may want to look a little more closely at the penalty statement (the
player is disqualified if he makes a stroke with a club that has such material
applied for the purpose...).

-- 
--------------\              /--------------
              +\    Phil    /+ 
              ++++++++++++++++
              +/    Kyle    \+ 
--------------/              \--------------

In article , a.nonymous@no.spam 
says...
> 
> "Paul Schmitz-Josten"  wrote in message 
> news:g24bu2$sam$03$2@news.t-online.com...
> > Stephen Stewart in :
> >
> >>I've seen that demonstrated by simply pouring water on the face of a 
> >>driver
> >>and you do drive the ball further.
> >>
> >>I think it's on one of the 'Today's Golfer' DVDs. Either that or on their
> >>website (I can't entirely remember).
> >>
> >>It made me wonder whether or not deliberately allowing the clubface to
> >>remain wet in wet conditions was allowable or even if it could be 
> >>penalised.
> >>
> >>Would any of the rules gurus have an opinions on that one?
> >
> > Not a rules guru but possibly more than average interested,
> > I'd again like to point to decision 4-2/4 which states that even your own
> > saliva when used with the intent to modify the ball's movement is "foreign
> > material" prohibited by RoG 4-2: Penalty is loss of one or two holes or 
> > two
> > to four strokes, respectively.
> >
> > Ciao,
> >
> > Paul
> 
> Yes I can see where you're coming from with regard to deliberately applying 
> a 'foreign material' to the club which is understandable for saliva/vaseline 
> etc etc but can moisture that is naturally on the club through normal play 
> regarded as 'foreign material'?
> 
> Is it not in those circumstances a bit like the grass that come between the 
> club face and the ball i.e. perfectly normal during the course of normal 
> play?
> 
> I was thinking along the lines of 'what's to stop you not putting the cover 
> on the driver during rain?' rather than someone deliberately pouring water 
> on the club face.
> 
> 
> Stephen 

As long as you have not caused water to collect on the face of the club 
by subjecting it to water in some obvious manner, I'm sure that you can 
play the wet driver. There is nothing in the ROG that says you must use 
a club cover or wipe the face of the club between shots.

So, think your handicap will go down on rainy days? :-))

MM

Phil Kyle in :

>You may want to look a little more closely at the penalty statement (the
>player is disqualified if he makes a stroke with a club that has such material
>applied for the purpose...).

I stand corrected - should have read it in German, too.

Paul

Stephen Stewart in :

>"Paul Schmitz-Josten"  wrote in message 
>news:g24bu2$sam$03$2@news.t-online.com...
>> Stephen Stewart in :
>>
>>>I've seen that demonstrated by simply pouring water on the face of a 
>>>driver
>>>and you do drive the ball further.
>>>
>>>I think it's on one of the 'Today's Golfer' DVDs. Either that or on their
>>>website (I can't entirely remember).
>>>
>>>It made me wonder whether or not deliberately allowing the clubface to
>>>remain wet in wet conditions was allowable or even if it could be 
>>>penalised.
>>>
>>>Would any of the rules gurus have an opinions on that one?
>>
>> Not a rules guru but possibly more than average interested,
>> I'd again like to point to decision 4-2/4 which states that even your own
>> saliva when used with the intent to modify the ball's movement is "foreign
>> material" prohibited by RoG 4-2: Penalty is loss of one or two holes or 
>> two
>> to four strokes, respectively.

>Yes I can see where you're coming from with regard to deliberately applying 
>a 'foreign material' to the club which is understandable for saliva/vaseline 
>etc etc but can moisture that is naturally on the club through normal play 
>regarded as 'foreign material'?
>
>Is it not in those circumstances a bit like the grass that come between the 
>club face and the ball i.e. perfectly normal during the course of normal 
>play?
>
>I was thinking along the lines of 'what's to stop you not putting the cover 
>on the driver during rain?' rather than someone deliberately pouring water 
>on the club face.

The rule forbids to "apply foreign material for the purpose of influencing
the movement of the ball" thus making a difference between a "naturally"
wet club face and "pouring water" on it. In the latter case, the purpose
makes the difference...

Again, I didn't read closely enough.

Sorry regards,

Paul

"MoiMoi" <moimoi@example.invalid> wrote in message 
news:MPG.22afa1f4c555fc729899e4@news.individual.net...
>> Is it not in those circumstances a bit like the grass that come between 
>> the
>> club face and the ball i.e. perfectly normal during the course of normal
>> play?
>>
>> I was thinking along the lines of 'what's to stop you not putting the 
>> cover
>> on the driver during rain?' rather than someone deliberately pouring 
>> water
>> on the club face.
>>
>>
>> Stephen
>
> As long as you have not caused water to collect on the face of the club
> by subjecting it to water in some obvious manner, I'm sure that you can
> play the wet driver. There is nothing in the ROG that says you must use
> a club cover or wipe the face of the club between shots.
>
> So, think your handicap will go down on rainy days? :-))
>
> MM

LOL I doubt it very much.

It would take more than that to improve my game. :-)

It's one of those peculiar circumstances though where it seems like cheating 
and not within the spirit of the game but despite this it's probably legal.


Stephen

"Paul Schmitz-Josten"  wrote in message 
news:g2559d$qtr$01$2@news.t-online.com...
> Stephen Stewart in :
> The rule forbids to "apply foreign material for the purpose of influencing
> the movement of the ball" thus making a difference between a "naturally"
> wet club face and "pouring water" on it. In the latter case, the purpose
> makes the difference...
>
> Again, I didn't read closely enough.
>
> Sorry regards,
>
> Paul

No problem Paul and thanks for responding.

Bizarrely it seems like it's legal then.


Stephen

Stephen Stewart wrote:
> "MoiMoi" <moimoi@example.invalid> wrote in message 
> news:MPG.22afa1f4c555fc729899e4@news.individual.net...
>>> Is it not in those circumstances a bit like the grass that come between 
>>> the
>>> club face and the ball i.e. perfectly normal during the course of normal
>>> play?
>>>
>>> I was thinking along the lines of 'what's to stop you not putting the 
>>> cover
>>> on the driver during rain?' rather than someone deliberately pouring 
>>> water
>>> on the club face.
>>>
>>>
>>> Stephen
>> As long as you have not caused water to collect on the face of the club
>> by subjecting it to water in some obvious manner, I'm sure that you can
>> play the wet driver. There is nothing in the ROG that says you must use
>> a club cover or wipe the face of the club between shots.
>>
>> So, think your handicap will go down on rainy days? :-))
>>
>> MM
> 
> LOL I doubt it very much.
> 
> It would take more than that to improve my game. :-)
> 
> It's one of those peculiar circumstances though where it seems like cheating 
> and not within the spirit of the game but despite this it's probably legal.
> 
> 
> Stephen 
> 
> 

I agree, taking such an approach and attitude will not ultimately 
benefit the golfer in playing the game. How we do golf is a reflection 
of how we do life and a short term benefit often leads to long term 
downfall.

-- 
D

"ALAN PARKER"  wrote in message 
news:Ubd1k.3344$N87.1898@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc.com...
>I have heard of  a simple technique for improving your swing, to straighten
> out slices and hooks, and for driving longer.
> I heard that if you apply a simple lubricant, like vasoline, to the club
> face, not a lot, just a small amount with a towel, the swing will improve
> immensly. Anyone aware of this?
>
>
I recall reading a book written by a journo who 'became' a caddy for a while 
to write about his experiences. One of his masters was a "hustler" who made 
a sort of living playing other hustlers for big (five figure) stakes. He 
always applied vaseline to the face of his driver both for golf and long 
driving contests. If I recall correctly the hustler said that water is 
pretty good as well for extra length off the tee.