How to Best Use the Rules of Golf to your Advantage
This article was originally published by the USGA.
Ask golfers how the Rules of Golf impact their round, and almost all will say that they add strokes to their score. It’s not an unreasonable perspective. We are conditioned, especially in sports, to view rules as things to avoid breaking so we won’t be assessed some sort of penalty.
An offensive lineman holding a defensive end? Ten-yard penalty. Whack a player’s arm on his way up for a layup? Two-shot foul. A catcher’s glove interferes with a batter’s swing? Automatic first base.
Yes, there are penalizing elements of the Rules of Golf, but that’s not the end of the matter. Knowing the situations where the Rules can be used to your advantage can save you from difficult predicaments, and it’s a great way to enhance your golf experience and maybe even lower your score.
Are you taking advantage of these scenarios when you tee it up?
Right-handed player taking relief for playing a left-handed shot
The scenario: An errant tee shot comes to rest beside a tree that impedes your ability to take your normal swing. You decide your best option is to punch the ball back into play using a left-handed swing but in doing so, you’re now standing on the cart path.
The question: Since a left-handed swing is not your normal stance, would you be allowed to take free relief from the cart path?
The answer: Yes, because using an abnormal swing doesn’t preclude you from taking relief as long as the stroke you’re trying to make isn’t clearly unreasonable. Proceed by finding the nearest point of complete relief using a left-handed stroke. From that spot, you get a one-club-length relief area to drop the ball in.
The best part? After completing the relief procedure, you are then free to use a normal right-handed swing.
The scenario: Your golf course is working on the drainage system in the middle of a fairway. Your tee shot avoids the marked-off repair area, but your stance doesn’t.
The question: Can you take free relief when the ground under repair interferes with your stance and not your ball?
The answer: Ground under repair is treated the same as a cart path in that if you have interference with your lie, stance or swing, you can play it as it lies or take free relief by finding the nearest point of complete relief and dropping a ball within one club-length of that spot.
The scenario: A rainstorm left the course wet and soft. You crush your first tee shot down the middle of the fairway but when you get to your ball, you see that it’s plugged in its own pitch mark.
The question: Am I allowed to pick the ball up and take a drop for my second shot or do I have to play it as it lies?
The answer: You could play it as it lies – but why when free relief is allowed? Take your drop within one club-length of the spot right behind the ball that’s in the general area. You also have the option to clean the ball or change it out for a new ball.
The scenario: You draw a bad lie in the rough, but a sprinkler head interferes with your stance. You wisely decide to take free relief. While your nearest point of complete relief is in the rough, you realize that your one club-length reaches the fairway.
The question: Are you allowed to take free relief from the rough and drop it in the fairway?
The answer: Absolutely! In fact, this is the exact scenario used in Clarification 16.1/1 in the Rules of Golf to illustrate that this is permissible. The rough and fairway are part of the same area of the course – the General Area – and if taking relief results in you getting better conditions, then it’s your lucky day. Feel free to drop and take your next shot.
To learn more about the Rules of Golf:
2026 January Newsletter: The Warm Up
In case you missed it, the first Alberta Golf newsletter of 2026 went out last week! Click the link below for what’s coming in 2026.
What’s Coming In 2026: Everything Planned For Alberta Golf
As we settle into 2026 and enjoy an unseasonably early taste of spring across the province, Alberta Golf is pleased to share several key initiatives and upcoming developments for the year ahead. Below is an overview of what members and stakeholders can expect in the coming season.
High-Performance Support
Each year, Alberta Golf announces its identified High-Performance players ahead of the holiday season. The primary objective of the High-Performance Program is to support these athletes in achieving their developmental and competitive goals, while also providing guidance throughout the post-secondary scholarship process.
In 2026, Alberta Golf is advancing this objective by launching work on a new pilot program designed to equip athletes with comprehensive tools to support these ambitions. This initiative is being developed in collaboration with Golf Recruitment Portal, an organization founded by former NCAA Division I golfers who bring firsthand experience navigating the recruitment process.
MORE INFO ON Golf Recruitment Portal
The pilot project will focus on creating a centralized platform where Alberta golfers can:
- Build personalized athlete profiles accessible to college coaches
- Access an extensive database of coaches’ contact information
- Develop and showcase highlight videos
Additional details will be shared directly with eligible High-Performance athletes, with a broader program rollout planned in future years following evaluation of the pilot.
UpSwing Continues Its Upward Momentum
For more than a century, one of Alberta Golf’s core business priorities has been the delivery of high-level provincial championships. However, the majority of Alberta golfers are recreational players. In fact, approximately 675,000 golfers fall into this category, making it the province’s largest market segment. UpSwing was created with these golfers in mind.
Launched in 2021 as a series of recreational events, UpSwing has experienced significant growth over the past five years. This momentum is expected to continue in 2026, with the platform expanding beyond recreational events.
For event organizers, UpSwing is undergoing enhancements to function as a comprehensive ticketing and registration system, making it accessible to a wider range of event operators. UpSwing will also continue its strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through its DEI Grant Program. Over the past two years, this program has distributed more than $37,000 in funding to support 40 inclusive golf initiatives, with continued investment planned for the upcoming season.
In addition, UpSwing Activation programs will remain a priority, offering golf courses and event operators engaging and innovative on-course activities.
For players, flagship UpSwing events at Banff Springs, Stewart Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Sundre (Ladies Event), Canmore, and Silvertip will all return in 2026. Registration for these events opens on April 1.
Competition Updates
Provincial championships remain central to Alberta Golf’s mission, providing players with the opportunity to test their skills against top competition across the province. In 2026, pace of play will once again be emphasized through the continued use of the Tag Marshal system.
The Men’s Mid-Master Championship will see notable changes, with the introduction of two qualifying events. This adjustment is intended to alleviate the pressure created by the previous open registration model, which regularly saw more than 200 golfers register on April 1. Exemptions for the championship will remain unchanged, with invitations issued in early March. Host venues for both the championship and qualifiers will be announced at a later date.
Following the successful introduction of a female division at the Alberta Open in 2025, the championship will once again feature both male and female competitors in 2026, reinforcing its status as a true provincial Open. Alberta Golf will invest additional resources into the event to further elevate its premier championship experience. Efforts to grow female participation on both the amateur and professional sides will continue. Further announcements will be shared through Alberta Golf’s social channels in the coming months.
Registration for all championships and qualifiers opens on April 1 at 9:00 a.m. The current championship schedule is available below.
Women’s Programming Exploration
As part of Alberta Golf’s continued commitment to growing women’s participation, efforts in 2026 will extend beyond high-performance programming. Significant work will be undertaken to expand women’s golf initiatives, including:
- Aligning with Golf Canada’s She Plays Golf brand
- Exploring new event concepts tailored to women in business and college alumni communities
- Supporting existing female-only programs through the UpSwing platform
The Women’s Amateur Championship at The Hamptons Golf Club in Calgary will also be a focal point, as Alberta Golf explores new strategies to enhance value, enjoyment, and participation.
Off-Course Golf Expands Nationwide
In alignment with Golf Canada’s newly launched national off-course golf strategy, Alberta Golf is proud to support and engage with the growing off-course golf community across the province.
Alberta Golf and Golf Canada recognize and endorse all forms of golf and encourage Canadians to experience the sport year-round through off-course opportunities. These include golf simulators, driving ranges, short-game facilities, mini golf, virtual reality golf, and golf-themed video games. By complementing traditional on-course play, off-course golf creates accessible pathways for new participants and supports lifelong engagement with the sport.
Alberta’s Next Generation
Maintaining golf’s position as the number one participation sport in Alberta requires continued investment in the next generation of players.
The McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour continues to grow annually, with no signs of slowing in 2026. The upcoming season will feature more than 25 tour stops, including the return of River Bend to the schedule. Educational showcases for new junior golfers, the Level 1 Rules Program, and the Tour Championship at Wolf Creek will further strengthen the tour’s success. Registration opens on April 1 at 12:00 p.m., with the full schedule to be released next month.
Beyond the Junior Tour, Alberta Golf remains committed to expanding the Youth on Course program, allowing juniors to play for just $5. Alberta Golf will also continue to align with First Tee programming across the province, ensuring strong grassroots development and increased access to the game for young golfers.
Mclennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour
Level 2 Rules Seminar
At the start of every season, Alberta Golf puts on a Level 2 Rules Seminar for those who decide to take their rules education to the next level. This year, the Level 2 will be held at Willow Park Golf & Country Club on March 20,21, and 22. More details including how to register, what requirements, and what to expect can be found at the link below.
Alberta Golf looks forward to an exciting and impactful 2026 season and thanks its members, partners, and volunteers for their continued support.
CPKC Women’s Open Comes Back to Alberta
The best female players in the world are coming back to Alberta, as the CPKC will be held at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton. The CPKC Women’s Open is Golf Canada’s flagship female event and the only Canadian stop on the LPGA Tour. Just recently it was announced that the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton was named the 2026 charity partner of the event.
2026 Stollery Children’s Hospital Announcement
Information for the event including tickets, volunteering, can all be found at the link below.
Alberta Golf’s Board of Directors – A Q&A with Vice President Kendra Koss
Alberta Golf and its Board of Directors were seeking qualified candidates to fill upcoming vacancies on the Board in the late stages of 2025. The application window has closed for this year and anyone interested is welcome to apply in two years. Below is more information about the Board of Directors and a Q&A with Vice President Kendra Koss.
Our Board has the ultimate responsibility to ensure Alberta Golf remains accountable to all stakeholders. This includes the development and oversight of our strategic plan as well as the fiduciary duties that come with good governance, including monitoring our financial health and managing risks.
Phil Berube, Alberta Golf CEO
The Board of Directors serves as a strategic governance body, providing high-level guidance on long-term priorities and ensuring strong governance of Alberta Golf’s operational team.
As the provincial sport organization for golf in Alberta, Alberta Golf is a registered not-for-profit society representing more than 64,000 members. In partnership with Golf Canada, the national sport organization, we work to maintain golf’s position as Canada’s leading recreational activity. We are committed to preserving the integrity of the game at over 200 golf courses across the province and to promoting golf as an inclusive sport for all participants.
The Board convenes 10 to 12 times per year, including quarterly meetings, fundraising activities, committee sessions, and other engagements. Alberta Golf is particularly interested in applicants in this cycle with expertise in finance and/or human resources. Previous experience serving on a board of directors would be considered an asset.
I think what I enjoy most about seeing how our current Board of Directors interact with one another is the high level of respect they have for one another, the diversity of thought and opinions that emerge from their dialogue, and the confidence they demonstrate as individuals in asking the tough questions.
Phil Berube, Alberta Golf CEO
Current Vice President, Kendra Koss, provides insight with a brief Q&A to share what motivates her, what she enjoys about her role, and why she believes others should consider applying to serve on the Alberta Golf Board of Directors.
1. How long have you served on the board at Alberta Golf and how did you get started?
I have served on the Alberta Golf Board since 2018. I am a passionate golfer, as well as parent of a previous high-performance player and very active at my club in all aspects of committee work as well as serving two terms on the Board. I was approached to consider the Alberta Golf Board and was keen to get involved at the Provincial Association level.
2. What was the driving force behind being a member of the board?
There were several factors that motivated me to become a board member. First, I wanted to give back to a sport that has given so much to me and my family. I was also excited about the opportunity to help shape policy and guide the strategic direction of the provincial sport association, while supporting and strengthening good governance. Lastly, I hoped to serve as an advocate for players and volunteers, and to help the organization navigate unforeseen or emerging challenges.
3. What do you enjoy about being on the board? What is the most rewarding aspect of serving on our Board of Directors?
I enjoy being on the board because it allows me to see the positive impact our work has on players, volunteers, and the broader golfing community. I also value the collaborative environment—working closely with our leadership team, management, and fellow directors is both energizing and inspiring. Serving on a policy and strategy-focused board has provided significant opportunities for personal growth and learning, which I find incredibly rewarding. Finally, staying connected to the game I love at a provincial and national level, and contributing to the ongoing growth of the Alberta Golf legacy, is one of the most meaningful aspects of my role.
4. What general experience does someone need to serve on the board? Are there particular skill sets or experiences that we’re looking to add to our board?
The Nominating Committee has developed a formal recruitment process, that utilizes a skills matrix as well as some diversity targets. Ideal candidates have some previous experience with Boards of Directors and an understanding of our governance model where we focus on strategy and policy and leave operations to the management team. We are looking to add depth to our board and required backgrounds. We will be losing 3 seasoned directors in the coming months and have big shoes to fill! We will have a specific vacancy in human resources and will be looking to find a director with that background.
5. Why should people apply to be a member of the Alberta Golf Board of Directors?
People should consider applying to the Alberta Golf Board of Directors because it offers a meaningful opportunity to give back to the sport and to contribute to the future of golf in our province. It’s an excellent role for those who want to help shape and advance Alberta Golf’s vision, bring fresh perspectives, and influence high-level decisions that support the sport’s long-term success.
On a personal level, serving on the board is also a chance to connect with passionate, like-minded individuals while continuing to learn, grow, and develop as a leader. For anyone who wants to make a genuine impact while being part of a dedicated and engaged community, the Alberta Golf Board of Directors is an ideal place to get involved.
Alberta Golf Supports National Off-Course Golf Strategy to Grow the Game Year-Round
Aligned with Golf Canada’s newly launched national off-course strategy, Alberta Golf is proud to champion and connect with the expanding off-course golf community across the province.
Alberta Golf & Golf Canada endorse and support all forms of golf and are encouraging Canadians to experience the game year-round through off-course golf experiences.
These experiences include golf simulators, driving ranges, short game areas, mini golf, virtual reality golf and golf-themed video games that all provide opportunities to engage with the sport year-round. Complementing traditional green grass golf, off-course golf provides a continuity of golf experiences that can welcome new individuals into the sport in ways that best fit their lifestyle.
For Golf Canada’s Chief Marketing Officer Tim McLaughlin, the campaign is about having a presence wherever and however golf is being enjoyed.
“There has been an explosion in off-course golf options in our country, most notably golf simulators, and Golf Canada is excited to officially launch our off-course strategy. This initiative is reflective of the reality that an increasing number of Canadians are now participating in golf activity year-round in non-traditional venues like simulator facilities. Off-course golf has the potential to be transformational for our sport, combining fun and realistic golf experiences with affordable options that are accessible 12 months a year,” said McLaughlin. “This strategy acknowledges the way that Canadians are engaging with the game is evolving, and our intention is to create a greater connection between these new off-course formats and the broader golf landscape.”
As part of this strategy, Alberta Golf and Golf Canada are introducing a new Facility Membership Program designed specifically for off-course operators. Through this program off-course facilities will now be able to become official members of Golf Canada and have the ability to promote their operations to Canada’s largest and most engaged golf audience. Through this membership, facility owners gain new opportunities to boost participation, enhance engagement, and enjoy a range of valuable, year-round benefits.
It will also be easier for Canadians to find places to play off course. A comprehensive digital program promoting off-course golf will connect Canadians to Official Member Facilities of Golf Canada. Golfers will soon be able to log and track their off-course activity at simulators in the Golf Canada app beginning in early December. For more information or to download Canada’s number one golf app, click here.
The Just Swing campaign will support Golf Canada’s complete off-course strategy to have a presence wherever golf is being played. The campaign encourages Canadians to discover golf, anywhere, anytime and Just Swing, highlighting the many benefits the game can provide. This campaign is designed to re-frame perceptions of the sport by driving understanding that whether you pick up a club on a golf course or a simulator its all golf. The hope is to position the sport in a new way, particularly for new audiences who aren’t currently active golfers.
For more information on the Just Swing campaign, the benefits of off-course golf or to find a location near you, please visit golfcanada.ca/justswing.
Helpful Links
Long-Term Player Development Guides
One of Alberta Golf’s key objectives with the High Performance Program is to identify and support players reach their developmental and competitive goals, while providing guidance in securing a post-secondary golf scholarship. The Program aims to achieve this through supporting athletes, coaches, parents, and facilities through a tiered identification program that provides developmental training opportunities, appropriate competition, parent support, and funding for players who qualify.
As part of this objective, Alberta Golf has worked to create two important documents to help young players understand their growth within competitive golf, and help provide a roadmap for players or parents to follow when looking at performance standards and key development principles. These documents have been created using Golf Canada’s Long-Term Player Development Guide (LTPD) and has been structured to focus primarily on what Alberta’s competitive landscape has to offer. To see Golf Canada’s LTPD and all the resources available, head to the Player Development page.
Junior Golf Developmental Roadmap
The Junior Golf Developmental Roadmap helps guide young golfers in finding the right playing opportunities based on their experience and skill level, while also providing a pathway for future growth in the game. The Junior Golf Developmental Roadmap comes complete with age ranges, objectives of each stage, key concepts, and resources for parents and players to understand where they are and the next steps.
Junior Golf Developmental Roadmap
High Performance Competitive Roadmap
The High Performance Competitive Roadmap provides junior players with a guide from club-level events to competing and excelling at the national level, helping players navigate development opportunities and reach their full potential. This document has each LTPD stage referenced allowing parents or players to understand which stage they are in based on the Junior Golf Developmental Roadmap and what events they should be playing in.
High Performance Competitive Roadmap
Alberta Golf is committed to helping juniors across the province achieve their competitive goals. These documents will help provide clarity for players and parents across the province on where they are now, what they need to do to improve, and where the next opportunity for growth is.
2025 Alberta Golf Board of Directors elected. 2024 Annual Report released.
Alberta Golf (Calgary) The 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Voting Members of the Alberta Golf Association was held virtually on Thursday March 20.
2024 saw a strong year for golf in the province where Alberta Golf eclipsed 60,000 members, 30 High Performance athletes and 14 coaches received $55,000 in funding, while 2,200 golfers competed in Alberta Golf championships. 1,500 juniors played in our affordable McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour while we also cemented our relationship with title sponsor McLennan Ross LLP through the 2027 season. Participation in our grassroots Youth on Course program soared from 1,500 kids in 2023 to 3,000 in 2024, with subsidized rounds of $5 golf also doubling from 8,000 in 2023 to over 16,000 in 2024. We had more activations than ever in our recreational UpSwing brand that now has 4,000 golfers and 14 courses took advantage of our Upswing grant program. Our Hall of Fame and Volunteer initiatives also grew in 2024. Entry points in the game of golf for everyone has never been greater as we head into the 2025 season and beyond.
Subsequent to the AGM, the Board of Directors met and the following officers were named:
OFFICERS
President: Brent Bailey
Vice President: Kendra Koss
Treasurer: Ross Nesbitt
Secretary: Chris Leach
Brent Bailey starts his third year as President after taking over from Mark Bamford in 2023 who provided Alberta Golf with two successful years of leadership, where a continued emphasis was placed on diversifying the Association’s many relationships and enhancing its governance structure.
Brent Bailey, a retired Scotia McLeod Investment Advisor, is well known in most provincial golf circles as a result of his strong competitive play spanning several decades. The past president of the Windermere G&CC has won multiple Club Championships, won the 1971 Alberta Junior Championship, was a member of 3 Alberta junior teams and represented Alberta nationally as a member of the Willingdon Cup Team in 1973.
FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brent Bailey: Windermere Golf & Country Club (Edmonton)
Mark Bamford: Glendale Golf & Country Club (Edmonton)
Jennifer Biernaskie: Public Players Club (Calgary)
Kim Carrington: Cottonwood Golf & Country Club (De Winton)
Ken Knowles: Windermere Golf & Country Club (Edmonton)
Kendra Koss: Earl Grey Golf Club (Calgary)
Chris Leach: Valley Ridge Golf Club (Calgary)
Lorraine Moster: Public Players Club (Edmonton)
Ross Nesbitt: Public Players Club (Okotoks)