Fantasy Golf Picks: 2012 Transitions Championship

The PGA TOUR returns to Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club this week for the Transitions Championship. Last year Gary Woodland held off Webb Simpson in the final round to capture the title, and both players return this week. Justin Rose also returns fresh off his win at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, and former world #1 Luke Donald is back in action gearing up for the Masters. Click the link to read more about my fantasy golf picks for the 2012 Transitions Championship. A List

Starter: Webb Simpson; Bench: Luke Donald

Simpson was the runner-up last year at this event and looks to have a repeat performance in 2012. Luke Donald is now officially the "former world #1"; a title that he would like to drop as soon as possible. Both men are likely warming up for the Masters in a few weeks, so don' be surprised to see some aggressive play by both on the weekend.

B List

Starters: Gary Woodland, Justin Rose; Bench: Brandt Snedecker, Bryce Molder

Woodland is the defending champion from last season, and Rose is the champion from last week. Not a bad starter pairing, if you ask me. Rose has been playing outstanding golf this season whereas Woodland continues to look for his game in 2012. Snedecker is probably the better start over Woodland, but we'll see how things turn out by the weekend. Molder is a crapshoot.

C List

Starter: Charl Schwartzel; Bench: John Huh

First time Schwartzel will play this event, but his game appears to be on the rise. He had a strong tournament last week at the WGC, so here's hoping he can continue that trend at Innisbrook. I still look at him as a real Masters threat, so look for him to play well in the next couple of tournaments.

A Few Questions on the R&A Rule Changes

(Note: The following was originally published by the author on Waggleroom.com) Beginning January 1st and until the year 2015, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club has decreed that players will no longer be penalized a stroke if your ball is moved by the wind after address. In addition, tournament players will now have a five-minute grace period for missing their starting tee time. The R&A issues the sport's rules in conjunction with the USGA, which oversees the game for North America and Mexico.

What does this mean for professional golfers like Webb Simpson and Rory McIlroy - two players who have been penalized for having windy balls during a tournament this past season? They can finally address their putts free of worry. No more one-shot penalities for those players.

Jim Furyk ought to be pleased with the R&A's change-of-heart regarding poor morning alarm-setting skills. Of course, his situation really didn't cause him too much pain, since... you know, he ended up winning the FedEx Cup last year.

What does this mean for amateur hacks like you and I? Heck, we probably didn't even know such a rule existed; and if we did, I admit I have never followed it during a windy round of golf. And I the worst thing that has ever happened to me for missing a tee-time was having to wait longer to get off the tee. Nevertheless, a few questions come to mind regarding these new rule changes.

According to one tweet I read this morning, does this new wind rule mean that if I hit a tee shot on a par 3 to three inches, address my putt, but the wind then blows the ball into the hole, is that now considered a hole-in-one? What about if my ball is lying on the side of a hill and the wind then blows the ball, causing it to roll into a nearby lake? Am I penalized a stroke for the water hazard?

Also of note: the definition of "addressing the ball" has also been revised. A player will now be deemed to have addressed his ball by "simply ... grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of whether or not he has taken his stance."