THE WESTERN GOLF ALLIANCE
Keeping It Long and Straight Since 2002 ™
© Copyright 2002-2012, Western Golf Alliance, LLC. All rights reserved
WGA Open and Other Tournaments Rules and Guidelines
Section 1 - Introduction to Tournament Rules and Guidelines
1.1 - Objective. The objective of the Western Golf Alliance Open, WGA Annual Regional Tournaments/Tour Series, and other golf events is to support the goals of the Club by providing regular opportunities and a major biennial event for all members to gather and play golf together.
1.2 - Purpose of Rules. While the Club Bylaws address the purpose and business organization of the WGA, these rules define the policies and guidelines governing scheduling, qualification, play, and scoring during all WGA tournaments.
1.3 - Seriousness of Rules. Anyone who takes these rules too seriously is required to purchase a sense of humor on eBay or else be banned from tournament play.
Section 2 - Open Dates and Locations
2.1 - Open Significance. The biennial Western Golf Alliance Open is the principle golf event of the Club. It is highly desirable that members make a good faith effort to attend the Western Golf Alliance Open. In other words - be there, or you'll regret the decision for the rest of your natural life, and maybe longer.
2.2 - Open Dates. The dates of the Western Golf Alliance Open are established by the Competition Committee. Based on Article VI of the Bylaws, the dates will be between June 1 and September 30 of all even numbered years.
2.3 - Geographic Location. The geographic location for the Western Golf Alliance Open will be discussed by the Club membership and established by the Competition Committee, with an interest in maintaining geographic fairness. Reasonable attempts will be made to avoid anyone having to travel over 1,000 miles for back-to-back events.
2.4 - Golf Course Selection. The Competition Committee will attempt to select golf courses for play that are famous, historically significant, highly rated, and/or exhibit attributes that showcase the unique golf characteristics and challenges of the region. The Competition Committee may solicit opinions and feedback from any person, organization, or other source - internal or external to the Club - in identifying and selecting such courses. The Competition Committee does not require approval of the Club membership, officers, or Directors regarding final course selection ... but of course, they may ask if they wish, as building such consensus will improve attendance.
2.5 - Course and Tee Characteristics. To the extent possible, the courses and specific tees selected for tournament play will conform to the following guidelines, with the understanding that famous and highly rated courses will be challenging and should be both enjoyable to play and fully experienced: Slope of 123-135; Rating of 69.0-73.0; Yardage of 6,150-6,900. Rule of Thumb: If Peter McGarry says it's too tough, it's too tough; If Mark Taylor says it's too tough, it's just right.
Section 3 - WGA Open Qualification
3.1 - General Eligibility. All Club members in good standing, and all probationary members who have initiated an application and received the endorsements and approvals required in Article III of the Club Bylaws, are eligible to participate in the Western Golf Alliance Open. Exceptions to eligibility can occur if a member fails to comply with certain requirements and deadlines as stated in this section, or if the size of the tournament field must be limited.
3.2 - Notice of Intent to Qualify. Six months prior to the Western Golf Alliance Open, the Club Secretary notifies all members in writing (e-mail) of the dates and location of the tournament. All members have 30 days from the date of that communication to notify the Competition Committee of their intent to participate in the Open. Failure to notify the Competition Committee waives the member's eligibility. However, confirmation of the intent to participate does not obligate the member to participate. What this all means is that if you RSVP when asked to RSVP, you're in.
[Note on Section 3.2: If a specific resort or venue requires reservations more than six months in advance, the timeline for all notification and responses will be advanced, as required.]
3.3 - Regional Qualifying. Section 3.3 only applies if Open qualification is determined to be required by the Competition Committee. When deemed necessary, every Club member who intends to participate in the Open must participate in a Regional Qualification Tournament, the purpose of which is to validate indexes and identify exemption status for the Open. When Open qualification is deemed necessary by the Competition Committee, failure to participate in a Regional Qualification Tournament waives the member's eligibility.
3.3.1 - Regions. As established in Article V of the Club Bylaws, the regions for the Western Golf Alliance - and therefore for such Regional
Qualification Tournaments - are as follows:
Region A: Southern California (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego Counties)
Region B: California Superior (all areas of California not in Regions A or G)
Region C: Greater Portland (Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Clackamas, Hood River, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk,
Tillamook, Washington, Yamhill Counties, Oregon)
Region D: Other Oregon (all other Oregon Counties)
Region E: Western Washington (west of Snoqualmie Pass, WA)
Region F: Eastern Washington (east of Snoqualmie Pass, WA)
Region G: Sierra-Nevada (Alpine, Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra,
Yuba Counties (CA); all Nevada except Clark Co.)
Region H: Greater Las Vegas (Clark County, Nevada)
Region I: Arizona Unlimited (all of Arizona)
3.3.2 - Regional Qualification Organization. Within each region, the Regional Governor and/or the Regional Coordinator for golf tournaments
will plan and schedule the Regional Qualification Tournament. If there are no members living in a region who have declared their intent to participate
in the Open, members from outside the region may organize and participate in a Regional Qualification Tournament in that region, provided at least
two members participate, and all other rules are met.
3.3.3 - Tournament Participation and Communication. Once organized, the Regional Governor must notify both the Competition Committee chair and the Club Secretary of the dates, times, and locations of the Regional Qualification Tournament. The Secretary will notify ALL members of the details for ALL Regional Qualification Tournaments. ANY member may participate in ANY Regional Qualification Tournament, and members may participate in more than one Regional Qualification Tournament.
3.3.4 - Regional Tournament Format and Timing. The Regional Qualification Tournament must involve a minimum of 18 holes and a maximum of 54 holes. Multi-round tournaments must be played within a 30 hour time period from the initial tee-time of the first round to the completion of the final hole of the last round. Each 18 holes must be played as a legal stipulated round according to the Rules of Golf. Regional Qualification Tournaments must commence no sooner than 92 days prior to the Western Golf Alliance Open, and be concluded at least 21 days prior to the Open.
3.3.5 - Regional Tournament Scoring and Results. Scoring for Regional Qualification Tournaments will be based on NET scores in stroke play, using USGA or WGA Indexes. Regional Qualification Tournament results, including full standings, gross and NET scores for all participants for all rounds, and course(s) details, will be reported in writing to the chairs of the Competition Committee and Handicap Committee.
3.3.6 - Regional Awards. The winner of each Regional Qualification Tournament will receive an automatic qualification to play in the upcoming Western Golf Alliance Open, as stated in Section 7. Other prizes may be awarded at the sole discretion of the Regional Governor and/or Regional Coordinator for golf tournaments.
3.3.7 - Use of Regional Results. The results of the Regional Qualification Tournaments will be used as follows:
a) The Handicap Committee will evaluate player indexes and determine if adjustments to individual indexes are warranted.
b) The Competition Committee may use results to seed individuals or organize pairings during the opening rounds of the Western Golf Alliance Open.
c) In the event that the size of the field for the Western Golf Alliance Open is limited in size, the Competition Committee will use the results to identify who will be invited to the Open under Section 3.5.
3.4 - Open Exemptions. Regardless of the limitations of the size of the field, certain individuals are exempted from qualification (as described in Section 7). Exempt players must still fulfill the requirements of Section 3.2 by communicating their intent to play and participating, and when necessary in a Regional Qualification Tournament as stated in Section 3.3.
3.5 - Final Field Determination. The Competition Committee will communicate the Western Golf Alliance Open field to all members. Everyone who has complied with Sections 3.2 will be placed in the field, with the only acceptable exception being the need to limit field size as defined in this section.
3.5.1 - Limited Field Selection. If - and only if - the highly regrettable situation occurs where the Western Golf Alliance Open field must be limited in size, the Competition Committee will determine who is selected for participation in the Open by observing these priorities and guidelines:
a) Every individual with an exemption under Section 7 must be selected for participation in the Open.
b) Every regional qualification winner must be selected for participation in the Open.
c) Club Directors and Officers must be selected for participation in the Open, by virtue of the fact they are required to attend the semi-annual meeting.
d) Any person who scored low GROSS in a Regional Qualification Tournament, but did not win the tournament, will be selected next.
e) As remaining space permits, the Competition Committee will select other members to participate based exclusively on the quality of their performance during the Regional Qualification Tournaments. "Quality of performance" may be based on Regional Qualification Tournament standings, scores, or some other criteria, taking into account the varying competition and conditions at different regional tournaments, and at the discretion of the Competition Committee.
3.5.2 - Alternate Designation. Any individual who has complied with Sections 3.2 and 3.3 but is not selected for the Open field will be placed on an alternates list, in a priority order deemed appropriate by the Competition Committee. In the event an exempt, qualified, or selected individual is unable to participate in the Open, their position will be filled by the next individual from the alternates list.
3.5.3 - Sole Domain of the Competition Committee. After observing Sections 3.5.1 a through d above, the Competition Committee has sole domain over the selection of individuals to participate in the Western Golf Alliance Open, and the rank designation of alternates. Decisions of the Competition Committee are final, and there is no authoritative body to hear protests to such decisions.
Section 4 - Open Scoring and Standings Determination
4.1 - Open Scoring. Scoring for the purpose of identifying the Western Golf Alliance Open standings will be based on NET scores incurred during either stoke or match play, as governed by the Rules of Golf.
4.2 - Handicaps. The Western Golf Alliance issues a WGA Index to all members, and uses that index to issue "Course Handicaps," which are computed based on the USGA handicap system and comply with USGA guidelines for calculating, issuing, managing, and adjusting indexes and handicaps. In lieu of a WGA Index, a member may request that their USGA Index be used ... regardless how snooty the USGA is, math is math - the indexes are the same.
4.3 - Index Cutoff. Indexes will be "frozen" 10 days before the Western Golf Alliance Open, and course handicaps calculated at that time. Indexes and course handicaps will not be recalculated as the tournament weekend progresses.
4.4 - Handicap Posting. Course handicaps for all Open participants will be finalized and posted by the Handicap Committee for all members to review 10 days prior to the Open.
4.5 - Handicap Protests and Adjustments. Only a player participating in the Western Golf Alliance Open may initiate a protest of another player's handicap. Such protests should be submitted in writing to the Handicap Committee, with supporting information regarding the error or inaccuracy of the handicap in question. Upon review, the Handicap Committee may take one of three actions:
a) Deny the protest.
b) Adjust the handicap in question, as recommended and allowed by the USGA handicap guidelines.
c) Determine an adjustment, but suspend enforcement until the completion of the first round of the Western Golf Alliance Open, and then deciding if the adjustment will be enforcement for all rounds, or if the protest will be denied.
4.6 - Champion Determination. In stroke play, the champion of the Western Golf Alliance Open will be the individual with the lowest cumulative NET score for all holes played during the tournament. In match play, the champion will be the individual who won the championship match.
4.7 - Ties. In the event two or more members tie for for the championship, if one of the members is the defending champion, then in the interest of sharing the championship title that individual shall yield the title to the challenger. If two or more other members remain tied, the tiebreaker criteria will be as recommended by the USGA Rules of Golf, Appendix I, Part C, Section 11(c) for "matching scorecards" as follows:
1) Best NET score during the first and last rounds of the tournament.
2) Best NET score during the last 9 holes of the tournament.
3) Best NET score during the last 6 holes of the tournament.
4) Best NET score during the last 3 holes of the tournament.
5) Best NET score on the final hole of the tournament.
6) Low cumulative GROSS score during the entire tournament.
If this method fails to produce a winner (and ... is that even possible?), the individuals that remain tied will compete in a nine hole head-to-head putting competition on the practice green of the final course, fewest total putts wins, alternating who designates the hole to be played to. If the individuals remain tied after nine putting holes, they will continue in a sudden death putting competition, with the membership in attendance designating the hole to be played to.
Section 5 - Open Awards
5.1 - Championship Trophy. The winner of the Western Golf Alliance Open will be awarded the glorious Coveted Pewter Mug. The Coveted Pewter Mug is a traveling trophy, that will be subsequently awarded to the winner of the next Open. The champion has the honor of engraving the Coveted Pewter Mug with his name, the year, the location, and a commemorative statement about that year's Open.
5.2 - Honorary Title. The winner of the Western Golf Alliance Open will receive the honorary title "Alpha Male Golf Champion".
5.3 - Items of Honor and Shame. During the Western Golf Alliance Open, certain items may be issued to designate the status of certain participants. Such items may include, but are not limited to, a hat of honor designating the defending champion or current leader, and a hat of shame to designate the current last-place participant or some other person, based on whatever criteria has been established by the Competition Committee. Other items - such as a skirt for someone with a terrible drive - may be established as deemed appropriate and humorous by the Competition Committee.
5.4 - Additional Competitions and Prizes. At the discretion of the Competition Committee, winners and prizes may or may not be identified for individual NET low rounds, or other categories (e.g., closest to the pin). Scoring criteria and awards for such competitions are separate from the overall tournament, and will be announced by the Competition Committee during the semi-annual meeting.
Section 6 - Other Official Golf Events
6.1 - Other Golf Events. At any time, members may gather to play golf, and may designate such round(s) as official WGA Tournaments at the discretion of the participating members. In addition, every region with an active membership will hold an Annual Regional Tournament. In order to designate a round/event/gathering as a WGA event, the participants must comply with certain requirements as set forth in this section.
6.2 - Regional Golf Tournaments. Every region with an active membership will hold an Annual Regional Tournament as outlined below.
6.2.1 - Regional Tournament Format and Timing. All Annual Regional Tournaments will be held between April 1 and October 31. Annual Regional Tournaments must involve a minimum of 18 holes and a maximum of 54 holes. Multi-round tournaments must be played within a 30 hour time period from the initial tee-time of the first round to the completion of the final hole of the last round. It is recommended that Annual Regional Tournaments be planned six months in advance and be held in approximately the same time of year each year (e.g., "mid June", "third weekend of September", etc.) to maximize participation.
6.2.2 - Regional Tournament Name. It is recommended that every region adopt a unique name for their Annual Regional Tournament, in order to establish both recognition and tradition for the event.
6.2.3 - Regional Tournament Size. The Annual Regional Tournament must be planned in a manner that can accommodate
at least every Club member in that region plus exempt players from outside the region who wish to play.
6.2.4 - Regional Tournament Scoring. Scoring for the purpose of identifying tournament standings will be based on either GROSS or NET scores incurred during either stoke or match play, as governed by the Rules of Golf.
6.2.5 - Regional Tournament Management. Annual Regional Tournaments will be managed by either the Regional Governor or the Regional Coordinator for Golf Tournaments.
6.2.6 - Regional Tournament Organization Requirements. Annual Regional Tournaments must be managed in a manner that fulfills the same conditions and requirements as any tournament that desires "official" status as a WGA event.
6.2.7 - WGA Open Qualification Tournaments. In even numbered years, the Annual Regional Tournament may function as the Regional Qualification Tournament, if the tournament organizers have scheduled and communicated the event in a manner that complies with the requirements for both the Annual Regional Tournament and the Regional Qualification Tournament (outlined in Section 3).
6.2.8 - Annual Tournament Exemptions. Any person winning an Annual Regional Tournament shall qualify for exempt status for WGA Tournaments, as stipulated in Section 7. If the winner is a non-Club member, the exempt status does not apply, unless that individual later applies for Club membership and becomes a probationary member, at which time exempt status will be awarded retroactive to the date of the tournament.
6.3 - Official Event Requirements. All events that desire to be recognized as "official" WGA tournaments must meet the requirements below.
6.3.1 - Minimum Participation. At least three (3) Club members must participate in an event/round for it to qualify as a WGA Tournament.
6.3.2 - Notification of Club. The event organizer must notify the Regional Coordinators of both golf tournaments and communications in writing (e-mail acceptable) of the date, time, and location of the event, 22 calendar days in advance or at the earliest time possible based on the initiation of event planning. The Regional Coordinators must notify the Club Secretary, the Competition Committee chairperson, and all Club members in the region of the event details, including organizer contact information for registration, 20 calendar days in advance or at the earliest time possible based on the initiation of event planning.
6.3.3 - Exempt Player Notification and Participation. The Regional Coordinator of golf tournaments must notify every Club member who is exempt for event qualification, in writing (e-mail acceptable), of the date, time, and location of the event, 21 calendar days in advance or at the earliest time possible based on the initiation of event planning. Exempt players must never be required to pay an entry fee (but are required to pay greens fees and personal expenses), and must never be denied the opportunity to participate in such events, for an event to be acknowledged as a WGA Tournament.
6.3.4 - Scoring and Results. Official scoring may be based on GROSS or NET scores, in either stroke or match play, at the discretion of the organizers, and following the Rules of Golf. If NET scores are used, players must use either their USGA Index or WGA Index. At the conclusion of the event, all scores (including GROSS scores, final standings, and course/tee information) must be reported to the Regional Coordinators of golf tournaments, communications, and handicaps, who in turn must inform the Club Secretary and the chairs of both the Competition and Handicap Committees.
6.3.5 - Guest Participation. Guests are welcome to participate in WGA Tournaments, at the invitation and sole discretion of the participating Club members. Guest participation is especially appropriate when such guests are candidates for membership, and therefore participation may support the interview and endorsement process.
6.4 - Prizes. Annual Regional Tournaments and other Club events may award any prizes as deemed appropriate, with the exception of the Coveted Pewter Mug and honorary title "Alpha Male Golf Champion", which may only be awarded during the Western Golf Alliance Open.
6.5 - Non-Golf Activities. In addition to golf events, and as required by the USGA and Article V of the Bylaws, regions are actively encouraged to hold other "group cohesion activities" both in conjunction with the Annual Regional Tournament, and at other times as appropriate. Other non-golf activities may include regional meetings, awards banquets, milestone celebrations, and the like.
Section 7 - Tournament Exemptions
7.1 - Exemption Overview. WGA members may receive exemptions to official Club tournaments and the Western Golf Alliance Open, based on performance during such events as stipulated in this section.
7.2 - Status of Exempt Players. Exempt players may decide not to play in any event, but must never be denied the opportunity to participate in any Club tournament. It is the obligation of the event organizer and supporting Regional Coordinators to notify exempt players of the event. Failure to do so may result in the loss of status by the event as an official Club tournament.
7.3 - Exemptions and Terms. Exemptions are awarded for performance in official Club tournaments, and performance in the Western Golf Alliance Open. The terms of such exemptions vary based on both how the exemption was obtained, and the nature of the event for which it may qualify, as follows below.
7.3.1 Western Golf Alliance Open Exemptions. Individuals receive exemption into the Western Golf Alliance Open as follows:
a) The winner of the Western Golf Alliance Open shall receive a lifetime exemption from qualifying for the Western Golf Alliance Open.
b) The second and third place finishers in the Western Golf Alliance Open, including ties, shall be exempt from qualifying for the Western Golf Alliance Open for the subsequent four (4) years.
c) The finishers in the Western Golf Alliance Open, including ties, that represent 5 percent of the total membership of the Western Golf Alliance, shall be exempt from qualifing for the next Western Golf Alliance Open.
d) The winners of all Regional Qualification Tournaments are qualified for that year's Western Golf Alliance Open.
7.3.2 Tournament Exemptions. Individuals receive exemption into official Club tournaments as follows:
a) The winner of the Western Golf Alliance Open shall be exempt from qualifying for all Club tournaments for the subsequent four (4) years.
b) The second and third place finishers in the Western Golf Alliance Open, including ties, shall be exempt from qualifying for all Club tournaments events for the subsequent two (2) years.
c) The winners of all Annual Regional Tournaments shall be exempt from qualifying for all other Club tournaments - excluding the Western Golf Alliance Open - for one (1) calendar year from the date of the win.
Section 8 - Rules of Play
8.1 - Introduction to WGA Rules of Play. In general, all play should comply with the USGA Rules of Golf. However, it is also the intent of this Club to foster enjoyment of golf as well. Additionally, there are times when playing "ready golf" on a public course conflicts with some rules. Therefore, it is occasionally required to deviate from the rules in order to support players of all levels and accommodate certain conditions. In this spirit, and because we do want to "keep it fair" (without having to bribe Lou the Caddy Supervisor), the following rules may be considered during Club tournament play, to be adopted as "local rules," at the discretion of the participating members, and without jeopardizing the status of the round/event. Adoption of such rules must be established and communicated to all participants prior to the beginning of play.
8.2 - Mulligans. Everyone gets one (1) Mulligan for every 9 holes. Mulligans can only be used for a tee shot on either a par 4 or par 5 hole - Mulligans may not be used on any other shot, or on a par 3 hole. Mulligans are on a "use it or lose it" basis - if you don't use your Mulligan on the front 9, you don't get two on the back 9. If you have declared you are using your Mulligan, then find your original ball, you can now play either ball, but you are deemed to have used your Mulligan. If you declare you are hitting a "provisional" ball under the Rules of Golf, and your original ball is indeed lost, you may then declare that provisional to be your Mulligan (if you have not previously used your Mulligan and the situation complies with the conditions for using a Mulligan).
8.3 - Gimmies. Policies for gimmies should be discussed in advance and applied universally for all competitors. Two recommended options are: 1) No gimmies, period; or 2) Everything "inside the leather of the putter" (e.g., about 24 inches) is a gimmie for everyone.
8.4 - Out of Bounds. For the purposes of "ready golf" on a public course, members may adopt a local rule for the penalty for driving out of bounds. Instead of "stroke, penalty, and distance", the penalty will be "stroke and penalty", and the player will then drop within two club lengths from where the ball crossed the course boundary, no nearer the hole. So instead of re-teeing and hitting your third shot, the player will be hitting his third shot from the place of the drop. In other words, for those of you who actually know the rules ... OB may play as a lateral hazard.
8.5 - Maximum scores. In general, there is no "max score" rule. (Note: There is a maximum score that can be recorded on a hole for handicap reporting purposes.) However, if it is mutually agreed by all players that a "max score" rule be adopted, the recommended rule is "double the par" for the hole.
8.6 - Winter Rules. If the conditions of the course warrant, members may play "winter rules" (lift, clean, and replace a ball through the green) whether or not such notice is provided by the course. However, this only applies if it is so determined prior to the round, for the entire round ... it cannot be applied only in the event of a plugged ball. (In other words, you may incorporate the USGA recommendation for Local Rule 4 in Appendix I, Part A.)
8.7 - Other Local Rules. At all other times, members can and should comply with the local rules at the course being played.
Section 9 - Standards of Play
9.1 - Introduction to Standards. In order to maintain the reputation of the Western Golf Alliance, certain standards regarding behavior and practices will be expected and enforced at all times, as stated herein.
9.2 - On-Course Gambling. During all golf rounds, anyone who is not participating in at least two (2) simultaneous wagers at all times will be reprimanded by the membership. All active wagers qualify. (Example: Player A is in a foursome that is playing Bingo-Bango-Bongo, the foursome is also playing Snake, Player A has a stroke play side-bet going against Player B, and Player A and Player C bet a closest-to-the-pin on a hole ... Player A at that moment has 4 simultaneous wagers going. Commendable.)
9.3 - Talking Smack. If you aren't talking smack, you aren't even playing the game. Talk big or go home.
9.4 - Alcoholic Consumption. The consumption of alcohol during a round is allowed, unless it interferes with your quality of play ... in which case it is mandatory.
9.5 - Losing the CPM in Poker. If the holder of the Coveted Pewter Mug loses the mug in a poker game and does not recover it before the next Western Golf Alliance Open, that individual will owe the Club the amount of $5,000. In other words, don't do it.
9.6 - Heckling. Do not cough, whistle, or talk while other players are addressing the ball or attempting a stroke. Under certain conditions it is acceptable to say "nnnnnnnnnnnnnoonan" while a player is attempting to putt.
9.7 - Carts. In all WGA events, walking is required, unless some local rule requires carts. Pull carts are always allowed and encouraged (since they facilitate the loading down of golf bags with beers).
9.8 - Cigars. For safety sake, cigars should be removed from your mouth when attempting a stroke.
Section 10 - Equipment
10.1 - Clubs. In general, everyone must use equipment that is ruled "conforming" by the USGA and/or the R & A, unless you paid a lot of money for a driver, and it's just awesome, then screw 'em. (But everyone gets to try out your club on the driving range and you can't whine about it.)
10.2 - Tees. Extra, extra long tees (more than 5" in height) are disallowed. Don't be a dork.
10.3 - Ball retrieving devices. Do we even need to mention this? If you have to retrieve a ball, you take your sand wedge, take off your shoes, and wade in. Those extending ball retrieval things (and umbrellas for that matter!) count toward your 14 club limit.
10.4 - Ball markers. Pennies are boring - creativity is encouraged.
10.5 - Exploding balls. If you can trick a fellow golfer into actually hitting an exploding golf ball without knowing it, you get a stroke deducted from your gross score for that round, and that stroke attempted by that player counts against them. The ol' exploding golf ball trick NEVER goes out of style.
