Rules -- John Crumbley: Certified PGA Professional, Rules Expert
A strange thing I saw today. A player hit his ball either very close to or just in a water hazard. When we got to the ball we saw a small allegator grab it and start eating it. It swam away with the ball in it's mouth. What is the ruling? Carrying this a step further what is the ruling if any animal moves a ball?
Paul Neessen
Paul,
The alligator was an outside agency and under Rule 18-1 the player must replace the ball where it was before the alligator moved it without penalty. If the ball can not be recovered another ball may be substituted without penalty. The ruling would be the same for any animal moving a ball.
On Friday of the Masters 2007, Phil Mickelson on the 18th tee used his bag to shield the sun/moving shadows from his play off the tee box. Isn't this a violation of Rule 14-2? Check out the film from the TV and you will see! He left his bag - without caddy - on one side of the tee box, after his caddy asked people to move away from the exact direction - because the shadows were bothering him. Then, the bag was placed to block any other shadows - or to provide a consistent, non-moving shadow!
Kay Dalke
Kay,
Rule 14-2 prohibits a player from being shielded from the elements. While sun light and the glare from the sun would be an element I do not think shadows would be considered an element. I found nothing in the decisions book on the Rules of Golf in regards to shielding a player from shadows. I could be wrong but I could not find any reason to penalize Phil in this case. Maybe this would be a good one for the USGA to consider for a new decision in the decisions book. That is were all of the other decisions came from, people like you writing in with questions that help to clarify the application of the Rules of Golf. You can find were to send in your question at www.usga.org. Let me know what you find out.
Instruction -- Bill Forrest, 2006 PGA Teacher of the Year
What is the first move in a full golf swing?
doyle webb
Doyle: Whether you're talking about the first move in the backswing or the first move in the downswing the answer is the same. The golf swing begins from the bottom and moves its way to the top. It begins with the feet and then moves upward to the knees, the hips, and then the upper body. I once was asked by a writer for a noted golf publication to describe how the downswing starts. He chuckled as I gave him my answer, and when I asked him why, he said, "you are the seventh instructor that I have interviewed and this is the seventh different answer." Maybe you can clarify your question and resubmit.
I can't seem to break my habit of striking the ball near the toe of my clubs. No matter how I set the club at address I still hit it near the toe, thus losing accuracy and distance. Any tips?
Glen Parath
Glen: Provided your golf clubs have a lie angle that is fitted to your game, it appears that you have a golf swing that swings too much to the left (right handed) on the through swing. Are your divots tending to point left of the target? You need to do some drills that will get your swing path to the ball more along an in to out path. When practicing, take a water bottle, put it three inches behind the ball and three inches above the target line,or farther from you. If you continue to swing to the left you'll destroy the water bottle and not hit the ball. Get the club going more from the inside and you'll start to wear out the heel of your club not the toe. Also, after you change your swing path feel like your arms lengthen, not shorten through impact. Give this a try.
Equipment -- Tom Henderson, PGA Professional, Master Club Fitter
What set of golf clubs is the best (most forgiving) for a new player to start playing the game with?
Thanks, Jim
Jim:
I suggest that you look at perimeter-weighted, oversized woods and irons. They will provide a larger hitting surface that will resist twisting on off-center hits. Every major manufacturer offers this type of equipment.
Schedule a club fitting appointment with a PGA Professional (that uses ball flight) to determine your specifications. Once you get your specs, you can order your equipment from one of a number of manufacturers.
Dear Tom,
I have a simple question as a result of a stupid action.
A few weeks ago I slipped with my left foot when hitting with my (brand new R7) driver. In my follow thru I hit a pole behind me. This resulted in a dent in my driver. It is on the side of the driver so not near the sweet spot.
Since then I have problems hitting with my driver. It can be because of a mental dent or can it be that the dent in the driver results in other ballflights?
Thanks in advance.
Patrick van Rooij
You need to inspect the driver closely to see if there are any cracks in the head of your R7. If there are cracks, this might explain the unusual ball flight and I would strongly suggest that you send the club back to the manufacturer to get re-headed.
Any damage that may have occurred on the face of the club should be treated similarly.
Be careful!!!!! You could cause serious injury to yourself hitting anything other than the ball!!!
Good luck and great golfing.
