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!
Rules -- John Crumbley: Certified PGA Professional, Rules Expert
I golf right and left handed. My question is can I carry right and left handed clubs in the same bag, as long as they don't exceed the maximum allowed? Is it legal for me to tee-off say right or left then make my approach shot from the opposite side of the ball.I only putt left so that's not a problem. Thank you!
Steve Peer
Steve,
The rules make no stipulations about which side of the ball you must hit from and both right and left handed clubs are legal so as long as you have no more than 14 clubs in your bag you are ok.
What is the ruling on giving advice during a high school golf match such as giving a spot to putt to to a teammate. The rules say no advice to a partner, but I don't believe a teammate is a partner while the other team did. What do you believe the ruling should have been?
Daniel Mothershead
If you were playing individual stroke play then your team mate was not a "partner" and would not be allowed to give advice. The rules of golf do allow "partners" to give advice to each other. Most golf and athletic associations have guidelines and rules for who can give advice and when. You should check with them.
If you ball is blown off the green by wind can you place it back on the green?
Arnold Abrams
Arnold,
If the wind moves the ball anywhere on the golf course you must play it where it comes to rest. Even if you have marked the ball and replaced it and then the wind moves the ball you must play it where it comes to rest.
Instruction -- Bill Forrest: 2006 PGA Teacher of the Year
I have been having trouble with iron distance. Someone pointed out to me that I was making contact toward the toe of the club. I have tried getting closer to the ball, but that didn't work. I even tried lining up with the ball on the heel. Is there anything else I can do?
Cody Martin
Cody: The first thing I would do is get your clubs properly fitted. Find a PGA Professional or a clubfitter that will ensure that the clubs have the proper length and lie angle. If the clubs are satisfactory, the biggest reason golfers wear out the toe of the club is because they swing too much to the left or across the ball on the through swing. When doing so, the arms tend to shorten and come into the body. In lieu of playing the ball opposite the heel, try playing it opposite the toe. In order to hit the ball in the middle of the face, you must now lengthen your arms. This exercise should solve your problem.
Bill
When I finish my golf swing, I tend to drag the toe of my back foot (resluting in pretty severe scuff marks on the toe of my shoes!). Watching the pros swing, it seems that they don't drag the back toe, but just turn on it. It doesn't seem to cause any issues with my game, but I wonder if it could be a problem and if it is, are there any drills to correct it?
Thanks!
Scott Howell
Scott: In one form or another Johnny Miller, Mark Calcavecchia, and Greg Norman all dragged their back foot a little. Provided the great majority of your weight gets to your left foot upon finishing the golf swing, I don't see a problem.
The drills that I would do to improve your foot work would be without the golf ball. Firstly, put your hands on your hips, feet shoulder width, try turning your left foot out to a 40 degree angle and work on your hip rotation and foot work. Use your right hand to pull your right hip back slightly, and then your left to dramatically pull your left hip out of the way, finishing over your left foot with your right knee kissing your left knee. You should be able to do all this without dragging your right foot and instead pivoting on your right toe. Secondly, you can what I call a "start to finish drill". Address and imaginary golf ball, and without making a backswing, simply go to your finish practicing the above principals. Practice going start to finish and then hit balls in slow motion.
Bill
Equipment -- Tom Henderson: PGA Professional & Master Clubfitter
I am a 6'4" 190 lbs golfer, I have reached the point in my game where I think it may be time to get new clubs. I would like to get custom made clubs, as I think most over the counter clubs do not address a golfer my size. Is there a formula that is used to determine the length of shafts, the type of swing you have, and grips for the clubs?
Thanks in advance,
Mark Caskey
Mark:
Unfortunately, there are no absolute formulas for fitting someone without actually watching them hit balls. Every fit is done on a very personal basis.
In general, someone built like yourself would most likely fall into the following specs: longer, upright lie angle, firmer shaft flex, and oversize grip size. These are only guesses.
Schedule a fit with a PGA Professional that knows your swing, is well-versed in club fitting, and uses actual ball flight in the fitting process. This is well worth the time and is money well spent.
Is a glove needed or the best play with. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing one?
Best regards,
Bradley Miller
Bradley:
Wearing a glove is not a "must" for playing good golf (ex. Fred Couples). However, a majority of golfers on the professional tours and in amateur events prefer to wear one.
Personally, I wear a glove because I feel that it improves my "hold" on the golf club. Wearing a glove adds another layer of skin to my hand and therefore, I am less likely to get blisters on the glove hand.
I would strongly recommend "rain gloves" in inclement weather. The wetter these gloves get, the better the gripping gets. Keep a pair of these little gems in your golf bag for when the skies unexpectedly open! You'll be glad you did.
Hope this answers your question.
