Pace of Play Tip of the Month:
Having a pre-shot routine before taking your golf shot is a key component to playing well.  This is something that I have all my students adopt in some form or fashion.  As of late though, the pre-shot routines are taking too long.  Did you know, that if one player takes an excess of just 30 seconds more, which isn’t hard to do, that it equates to nine minutes per round?!  In order to help with pace of play concerns, only allow yourself to take a maximum of 30 seconds for the pre-shot routine then fire away!
 
Golf Tip of the Month:
In the golf swing, alignment is one of the most important and overlooked topics with regards to basic fundamentals.  The most common error I see amongst most amateur golfers is that they have open shoulders (meaning their shoulder line is aiming left of their intended target).  In the golf swing, your arms will swing in the direction the shoulders are aligned.  Thus if your shoulders are aligned to the left, your arms will swing left and when you swing too much to the left you will either hit a slice or a pull.  If your shoulders are aligning in the opposite direction, or to the right too much, you will more often than not swing over-the-top because your eye line will be left of your aiming point.  In order to have a more consistent alignment here are a few tips to keep in mind: 
First, visualize a straight line going to your intended target from the golf ball.  Then, visualize another line along your toe line, parallel to the ball line (think of it as a set of railroad tracks; one side of the tracks is in regards to your toe line and the parallel track on the other side is in regards of the ball to target line).  Next, you will want to make sure your knees, hips and shoulder are all parallel to your TOE LINE.  If you form both sides of the railroad tracks as discussed, with all portions properly aligned, you will hit more consistent golf shots! 
If you find yourself having trouble with alignment, stop in and see one of your Golf Professionals as they would be happy to assist!
 
Rules Question of the Month:
You are playing from the black tees on Hole #14 and you tee up the ball, take a swing and it feels as if you just made a great strike on the golf ball.  When you look up, you realize that your golf ball flies straight into the overhead power lines and deflects the ball from what was definitely going to be a great shot down the middle of the fairway.  Do you get to replay the stroke without penalty, or is it considered rub of the green and you must play the ball where it lies?
The answer lies in Rule 33-8a which states: "The Committee may establish Local Rules for local abnormal conditions if they are consistent with the policy set forth in Appendix I." 
Thus, North Sound Golf Club’s local rule is that the player “MUST” cancel the stroke and replay the stroke without penalty.