Yes. I plumb-bob pretty much every putt. For those who don’t know what plumb-bobbing is - stand about 10-12 feet behind the ball in a direct line from yourself to the ball to the hole. Hold your putter vertically by the fingertips. Once you have lined the putter up with the ball and hole, close one eye (usually the left eye) The relative position of the hole to the ball will then change. This will give you a pretty good idea of the break of your putt. It works for me.

HAMILTON — Golf carts are becoming a more common sight on Indiana’s streets and roads, but State Police say they fail to meet the safety and equipment standards for motor vehicles to be driven on public streets.

Several communities allow golf carts on their streets under ordinances such as one in the Steuben County town of Hamilton, which charges a $40 annual registration fee, requires insurance and limits the number and ages of passengers.

“With the economy faltering and gas prices going through the roof, this is a way to save gas,” said Milton Otero, the town manager in the lake community about 30 miles north of Fort Wayne. “Our residents are saving tons of money and loving it.”

An Indiana State Police statement released last week said that while state law does not specifically ban golf carts from public roads, they must have license plates issued by the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The BMV, however, will not give plates to golf carts without safety equipment required under state and federal law to be on the road, such as a horn, headlights, taillights, turn signals, windshields and safety belts, agency spokesman Dennis Rosebrough said.

Hamilton resident Tom Walker, who owns an electric golf cart that goes 18 mph and lasts days without a new charge, said not only do the carts allow people to drive around town at a lower cost, he has met dozens of others also driving their carts.

“The community is getting tighter and friendlier,” Walker said. “Until the State Police come flying into town and start setting up roadblocks, we will continue to enjoy it under our town ordinance.”

The State Police statement said that while the agency had no plans to actively crack down on golf carts, troopers would not “turn a blind eye” if they saw them on the streets.

Hamilton’s ordinance requires golf cart drivers to have a valid driver’s license and insurance. It also permits no passengers younger than the age of 2 and requires those younger than 10 to sit on the front seat. Other provisions are that the cart must have an orange flag or pennant, along with rearview mirrors, headlights, taillights and turn signals.

The central Indiana city of Lebanon also has an ordinance allowing golf carts on its streets and officials in southern Indiana’s Vincennes were considering a similar ordinance, but both have run into questions about being trumped by state law.

Lawrence County Sheriff Sam Craig said the use of golf carts is a public safety problem.

“Law enforcement usually tries to work with people, but this comes down to traffic issues and safety,” he said.

State Rep. Sandy Blanton, D-Orleans, said she was considering filing a bill for next year’s legislative session to make clear that golf carts are legal and that BMV can register them.

State Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, is proposing a bill that will allow golf carts and other small vehicles to travel on some public roads and state highways.

Marostica calls it a cost-saving measure given gas prices hovering around $4 a gallon.

“Why fire up a 4,000-pound vehicle and go get a haircut?” he said.

Marostica’s bill would cover all sorts of golf carts - gas-powered, solar powered and electric. It might end up including ATV’s as well, he said.

The vehicles would be allowed on streets with speed limits less than 35 miles per hour and in bicycle lanes on state highways with higher speeds, Marostica said.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesman called the type of small vehicles Marostica seems to have in mind “low-speed vehicles.”

Spokesman Rae Tyson said that such vehicles cannot go over 25 miles per hour.

Marostica last month filed the initial paperwork to shift state employees to a workweek of four 10-hour days. He also cited gas prices and reduced energy use as reasons to support the bill.

Sullivan is the latest one of several communities around the state and country to debate the merits of allowing golf carts to use city streets.

In the proposal as drafted, the carts would need some modifications including a rearview mirror and registration, along with a fee, to be street eligible. Residents then could get around town without using precious gasoline, and keep more money to use for other things.

Moves like allowing golf carts on streets come with a price. Golf carts pose a hazard, particularly on busy streets but even in residential areas. The hazard sometimes leads to physical injuries to cart occupants as well as the mental strain that comes with all parties involved in accidents.

Golf carts don’t go as fast as cars and trucks. They are more difficult to see. They generally are not designed for street use. And the element of human error and lapses in judgment too often lead to accidents and injuries.

That the issue of golf carts on streets is getting an audience in an increasing number of communities is part of a trend that we expect to accelerate. The trend is both businesses and consumers looking for ways to accomplish tasks with energy sources that are less expensive than gasoline.

We’ve heard, for example, of development of electrically powered mowers for golf courses — both those used on fairways and greens. Hybrid automobiles are growing in popularity, and that trend is expected to continue.

There are any number of other examples of ways changes in energy consumption either are or soon will be adopted.

One reason why those changes are coming quickly is news items like the recommendation this week to the Illinois Commerce Commission that Ameren be allowed to raise utility rates. Prices at gasoline pumps are another every day reminder that changes are in order.

It would appear that regardless who is elected president in November, Americans and the companies that market to Americans are changing in an effort to keep costs of living in line, particularly with energy.

While we’re not excited about seeing golf carts on city streets, efforts to make our lives more energy efficient and economical are commendable.

Tags: good answer

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee shot a one-over par 71 in the first round of strokeplay at the US Amateur Championship today, putting him in a tie for 36th.

Playing on the No 4 course at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina, the world No 1 amateur stumbled with a pair of bogeys on the front nine. He carded three more at the 11th, 12th and 13th holes.

Lee made the turn at one under with birdies on the 7th, 8th and 9th holes but added just one more on the back nine, at the 17th.

South Carolina’s Wesley Brian and Washington’s Andrew Putnam with three-under par 67s, jointly lead by one shot over a group of six players.

Only 20 players from the field of over 300 carded red figures today.

Lee, 18, had arrived at Pinehurst a day after completing a sparkling PGA tour appearance at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, also in North Carolina, where he finished in a tie for 20th after rounds of 68, 66, 67 and 67.

The field will be culled to 64 players for matchplay which begins on Thursday (NZT).

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Waikato’s James Gill, first alternate for the tournament, did not get a start.

The winner of the Havemeyer Trophy will earn invitations to next year’s US Open, British Open and Masters, plus the next 10 US Amateurs, as long as he stays amateur.

Lee qualified fifth after strokeplay last year but was eliminated in the first round of matchplay when the tournament was held at The Olympic Club near San Francisco.

Tags: US Amateur