Four things I hope to achieve in golfing this year

Kisii Golf Club. FILE 

By Charles Gacheru

As we enter into a new golfing year, allow me to share with you my 2014 golf resolutions.

Improve my handicap by two strokes

This is obviously easier said than done; the first thing I have to do is to identify which areas of my game are costing me, and then work towards mending those.

My short game is atrocious, my bunker play is terrible; if I can mend that, I will surely improve my handicap easily by one stroke every six months.

Play at two golf courses away from my club

This should not be difficult. However, I truly want to play on some golf courses that I have never teed up on. I want to play in Nandi Bears and in Kisii— according to Raymond Nyamweya (the only man to hold the Club Championships trophies at Karen and Kisii), the 9-hole layout at Kisii is the oldest golf course in Kenya.

It has been used over the years as a popular picnic site for couples and as a grazing field. It has also survived many battles against encroachment; perhaps now with devolution, this golf course will be protected and nurtured.

And although I have played at the 9-hole Kakamega golf course, I would not mind making another visit there, if only to indulge in the traditional chicken meals at the club house.

Whilst in the area, it would be a pleasure to play on the nine-hole Mumias golf course which is reputed to be in excellent condition.

Learn the rules of golf

The R&A rules of golf are reviewed every four years; the ones currently in use are the 2012-2015 edition. The very first page of the rules of golf states that “Play the ball as it lies, play the course as you find it, and if you cannot do either, do what is fair.

But to do what is fair, you need to know the rules of golf.”

I have had the pleasure to study the Rules of Golf and I have attended the Rules School, both here in Kenya and in South Africa, performing satisfactorily.

However, like with anything else in life, it is important to keep reading the rules and keeping oneself updated of any changes.

With many golf courses in Kenya now building water hazards, I will pay extra attention to rules 20 to 28; these are the relief situations and procedures.