Editors Note: Each week, we receive hundreds of questions for our PGA Experts. Though we can't answer every one of them, we will take some of the most illuminating and beneficial questions and have one of the top authorities from the PGA of America to answer them for you. We are in the process of finding ways for more experts to answer more of your questions! Thank you for your support and keep the questions coming!
Instruction -- Bill Forrestt, 2006 PGA Teacher of the Year
How do I stop hitting my approach shots fat when trying to get more spin on the ball?
Ron S.
Ron: The fat shots may be caused by a clubhead that is coming to the ball at too steep an angle. A couple of drills that should changed the angle of attack are; firstly, center the ball in the middle of your stance and put another ball on the target line a foot behind that ball. On your takeaway ensure that your club goes inside the back ball, this flattens out your takeaway. Secondly, center a ball in your stance and place another ball one inch away on top of that ball. On top meaning one inch farther from you than the ball you intend to hit. Make a swing and hit the inside ball, the ball closer to you. Lastly, when you're hitting these approach shots be sure to accelerate through the ball. I am sure this will help.
My wife just bought me a new set of clubs for valentine's day. The set includes 2 hybrid a 4 and 5. I have been to the driveing range numourous times and work with these clubs but i still can not hit them consistantly. I was wondering if you might have some tips for me on how to hit the hybrid clubs. Thank you.
cody d.
Cody: Firstly, do the hybrids have the same shafts as your irons? You may want to get some advice from a qualified club fitter on whether the shaft in the hybrids is right for you. Secondly, when looking for consistency start with your address position. Get your feet only slightly wider than shoulder width, and position the ball about two inches forward of center. Lastly, try to make a lonnnngggg, smooooooth, sweeeeping motion when hitting your hybrids. Let me know if this helps.
Thanks for taking my question. I'm about a 7 handicap and want to improve, like everyone else. Do you think playing with higher handicap players affects my game and do you think playing by myself would improve my play and/or handicap? When I play with higher handicappers, I always have to give up several strokes and that plays a big part in my head. What do you suggest I do for that?
Thanks for the help --- Rich
Rich: A lot of golf professionals that play in Pro Ams complain about playing with high handicap amateurs. Personally, I never understood this. Playing with slow players, fast players, good players, poor players, shouldn't affect your game. If you let ignorant players bother you when you are on the golf course, you are just as ignorant as they are. I heard Nick O'hern say at the Accenture Match Play that he "always plays the golf course for the first nine holes and plays the player for the last nine holes". Focusing on playing "Mr. Golf Course" might take your thoughts away from the strokes you are giving and your playing partners. Give that a try
Equipment -- Tom Henderson, PGA Professional & Master Club Fitter
I currently use a rifle6 shaft in all my irons. I haven't changed flexes in years, my concern now is, at what point in my swing speed should I consider a softer shaft? I have never been measured for swing speed, just lie and a few tweaks of loft. I judged my shaft by ball flight and I prefer a flat trajectory over the "ballon" shots most irons have. How fast should I swing my 5 iron before I start losing distance?
Thanks
Russ
Russ:
When selecting shaft flex, you need to first look at swing speed. If you are using a Rifle 6.0 presently, I would guess that your swing speed is between 75 - 95 mph with a #5 iron. If your swing speed is below this range, you may want to consider a 5.0 or 5.5 Rifle.
Regarding your ball flight or trajectory, you should also look at Shaft Flex Point. In most cases, shaft flex is divided into 3 categories: High, Mid, or Low. A high flex point will influence a lower ball flight while a low flex point will encourage a higher trajectory.
In summation, determining your swing speed first will help you select the proper shaft flex. Once you have your shaft flex, you can "tweak" ball flight by selecting a shaft with either a High, Mid, or Low flex point.
Hope this helps.
If the best players were to compete with 1970's vintage equipment, all the same in each bag, except for a putter, would anyone shoot under par? Isn't this the way the pros should play anyway?
R. Reynolds
Using 1970's vintage equipment with today's longer golf courses would be interesting. I believe that shooting under par might be more challenging under these circumstances.
I don't believe that there would be many issues with using the iron sets from the 70's. However, there would be quite a difference with the woods and the ball: Titanium vs. Persimmon woods and solid 3-piece vs. wound balata balls.
The persimmon/balata combination would make for short driving distances and less par 5's hit in two, providing less birdie and eagle opportunities. Today's courses have been lengthened because of the technological advances in equipment, fitness, and instruction. These factors have forced golf course architects to stretch golf course distances to the outer limits. "Going Low" would be more of a challenge.
Good luck getting everyone to agree to play the same vintage equipment. Manufacturers would be out of business if technology came to a halt. I believe that the game has progressed too far along to take these steps backward.
Rules -- John Crumbley, PGA Professional & Rules Expert
Can the player stand outside of the tee box as long as the ball is teed between the markers? -- Barry B.
The USGA Rule of Golf says the "teeing ground" is a rectangular area two club - lengths in depth, the front and the sides of which are defined by the outside limits of two tee markers. Rule 11-1 says "A player may stand outside the teeing ground to play a ball within it." So yes, you can take your stance outside the teeing ground to play a ball from within the teeing ground.
Way back when the game was just getting started the rules said you must tee your ball within two club lengths of the hole you just finished! Not good for putting surfaces. Later the "teeing ground" was squire box of packed sand with a bucket of water, a little water and a pinch of sand and you had a tee. This is where the term tee box came from. Just a little history for you.
While looking for your partner's golf ball you step on it, is there a penalty? -- Arnold A.
Rule 18-2 says that if the player, his partner or either of their caddies lifts his ball, touches it purposely or causes it to move except as permited by a Rule the player incurs a one stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced if it was moved. Except there would be no penalty if the ball was in abnormal ground conditions (ground under repair or casual water).
Fitness -- Dave Phillips, PGA Professional - Titleist Performance Institute
During the golf season what do tour players do typically to stay physically and mentally strong? -- Anthony O.
Their programs differ based on what they feel they need. The majority of them have a trainer and they usually have off season workouts that address strength and in season workouts that work on mobility and stability. All of the workouts that we develop for tour players at TPI address each players individual needs but we always include glute and core exercises which are the key muscle groups in providing stability in the golf swing. In regard to mental toughness most players build their schedules with breaks to give them enough down time so they don't get burnt out. This allows them to come into events mentally focused. It is always easier to be mentally focused if your swinging the club well but most players will work on their routine in order to get into their comfort zone. If your looking to develop a good routine I would consider reading the book "Every shot must have a purpose " this book will give you some great insight into mental preparation.
I need good back strengthening exercises. I play to about a 10, am 48 and have constant lower-back pain. -- Ken K.
If you have lower back pain and play golf you have to seek the correct professional advice, if I were to give you exercises without evaluating your problem I could hurt you. I suggest you find a golf fitness professional in your area and have them take you through a complete evaluation. You can go to our website at www.mytpi.com and select the find a fitness pro tab. This will show you who in your area is qualified to help attack your problem. Your swing could also be causing your back pain so it is important to be professionally evaluated.
