Curing the yips . . . Short Putts All golfers have struggled from time to time with the dreaded 'yips' and missing short putts is not only frustrating but devastating to your score card. In most cases, the yips come when a player decelerates through the putting stroke which allows the putter to stray offiine and invariably miss the putt.

This simple drill will help to banish the yips. Place a few golf balls oneto-two feet from the cup on the practice green. Make your normal stance, and then with no backswing, start pushing the ball toward the hole. Hold the finish until the ball is holed.

Then do the same drill from a distance of three-to-five feet. This will train your body to accelerate through the ball and will develop your con"dence and feel for a steady and straight role towards the hole from short distances.

Golf tip thanks to Emmanuel Riblet, Golf Pro, Premier Golf Santry

EXPLAINING THE RULES

Q. When can a player play a moving ball (rule 14.5)?

A. There are three instances when a player can play a moving ball. A player must not make a stroke if the ball is in motion but there are three exceptions to this rule. First, when a ball is falling off a tee (Rule11-3), second, when the ball is struck more than once (Rule 14-4) and finally when the ball is moving in water (Rule 14-6).

When the ball begins to move only after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club, no penalty will be incurred, but the player is not exempt from Rule 18-2a or 18-2b where the ball is purposely stopped by the player or caddie.

When a ball is moving in a water hazard, the player may, without penalty, make a stroke, but must not delay making the stroke in order to allow the wind or current to improve the position of the ball.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 14-5 or 14-6:

Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes.