Golfaholic

Rule 14.5 (not Rule 1.2) states that a player must not play a stroke at a moving ball...and sets the penalty for doing so at 2 strokes. Rule 1.2 covers the situations where a player either stops or deflects a moving ball. However neither 14.5 nor 1.2 addresses the question, what to do if a player does play a stroke at a moving ball and the ball ends up at rest in the hole? Rule 1.2 states that a deflected ball must be played from where it comes to rest, which would imply that deflecting (tapping in) a moving ball which results in the ball being holed, completes the hole for the player and a 2 stroke penalty is then applied to his score for the hole. Please could someone with an in-depth technical knowledge of the rules give me a definitive answer...does an illegal stroke at a moving ball have to be replayed if it causes the ball to come to rest in the hole... and if so, from where?

A player in our group attempted a tricky 2 foot, sharply breaking downhill putt which he pulled off-line and was missing the hole. As the ball was passing the hole he reached out and tapped it in. Two of the playing group advised him he had incurred a 2 stroke penalty for playing a moving ball but no-one knew whether the ball was then to be considered legally holed or whether the player would have to play it again; and if so, from where? Help please...and thanks in advance.

I know a low battery charge affects it...I've replaced the battery but still have the problem.

Most long-term golf addicts dream of being able to play or practice all day and every day. At 63, I am retired and "living my dream" but find my skill level fluctuates daily. No amount of lessons or practice brings me the consistancy I desire - in fact, a practice period on the range is sometimes followed by my worst score of the week! My 10 handicap is the same now as it was when I was working full time and playing only one round a week!

Do you find there is an optimum number of rounds per week that gives you your best results?

How would you share your time between practice and playing if were approaching a major competition?

When greens have been cut short but are uneven and bumpy, what kind of putting style do you think gives you the best scores. Is it firmly hitting the ball at speed into the hole, or aiming to have the ball die as it drops into the hole?

I need to clean carpets throughout my house and am considering both hiring or buying a machine. The answers to previous carpet cleaning queries refer to experience with steam cleaners and alternative shampoo cleaners. Does anyone have the experience to tell me which of the two types of machine is best for two different types of carpet, i.e. a thick pile, sculptured carpet and also a flat pile carpet (which is much easier to clean).

1. Playing out of winter bunkers on our poorly maintained municipal course is a nightmare. Whether they are frozen solid, super saturated or compacted, they require a different technique to playing out of the dry soft sand bunkers that the pro's play from. Can anyone offer practical advice on this problem? - please don't suggest improving the bunkers!

2. Also - any advice on how to successfully pitch and chip out of boggy, muddy ground?