"Learning how to score is the first step in learning the Rules of Golf."

Golf official says knowing rules can help shave strokes.

Dave Mahlik Jr. believes knowing the rules of golf is just as important as knowing how to play golf.

Mahlik is an avid golfer with a 7 handicap and is a dedicated rules official who has attended several United States Golf Association Rules of Golf Workshops.
"Most golfers assume they know and understand the rules of golf, but most just don't know and they can actually cut strokes off their scores if they knew the correct way to handle certain situations during a round of golf," Mahlik said.

He began volunteering as a rules official in junior golf tournaments while living in Tennessee. He continued his support of youth tournaments when he and his family moved to Madison four years ago. He has served on the rules committee of the Alabama Golf Association and will soon serve in the same capacity for the Tennessee Golf Association. His goal in rules officiating is to make it to the professional tours.

"I like volunteering at junior tournaments to see the young players on some of the junior tours," Mahlik said. "You have to be willing to work these events to try and make the move up to the big events."
Mahlik took up golf while attending college, but it wasn't until a Father's Day gift five years ago from his wife, Theresa, and their two sons, Alex, 14, and Calvin, 16, that he finally decided to take the game seriously. His gift was golf lessons from a teaching professional. Mahlik had the curiosity many people don't have: To know the rules of the sport they are playing.

"By nature I like to know how things work and I've embraced the game and look into all facets of the game," Mahlik said. "Alex got involved with golf and took to knowing the rules, too. He's the most proficient junior golfer with the rules I've seen."

Teaching young golfers the rules of golf and how to interpret how the rules are written is something Mahlik is striving to do. For the past two years, he has worked with the Bob Jones High School golf team by hosting rules seminars for the teen golfers. He's known as the "Rules Guy" by team members.

"I think it's important to get the young golfers on the right track early," he said.

The future for Mahlik's rules officiating includes attending his fourth USGA Rules of Golf Workshop next February in Atlanta. A score of 85 is required to pass the test. In his three previous attempts at passing the test, Mahlik's highest score was 71. Mahlik, who works as the vice president of business operations at Bonham Technologies, said passing the test is a great step to move up to the professional level.

Six years ago, Mahlik had lower back surgery. The surgeon told him that he would probably never play golf again.

"I was determined to keep playing, and receiving the golf lessons as a gift from my family was a great incentive to do so," he said. "I've continued to play and have helped get three of our family members to post single-digit handicaps as Theresa and Alex play golf."

Mahlik said most weekend golfers have a misconception on some of the rules of golf and not knowing certain rules - like the procedures in hazards and out of bounds can cost a player strokes.

He wants to volunteer at some of the professional events of 2008 in Alabama and nearby Tennessee. He said, "Starting out as a volunteer, such as a walking marker or at the scorer's tent, can lead to making it on the rules committee."

Mahlik offers this message to the youth golfers of the area. "Don't assume methods of rules interpretations by those around you are correct. You're not expected to know all of the rules of golf, but you should know the basics."