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 Forrest, 2006 PGA Teacher of the Year
I can make a very controlled practice swing. But when I put a golf ball on the tee my mind goes blank and I tense up and make a poor swing. How can I fix this?
Jim Eiffert
Jim: You are not alone. Many golfers are ball oriented and have beautiful practice swings. These golfers are more "hitters" than "swingers" when the ball is in front of them. To become more of a swinger, make more emphasis on tempo and do the following drills:
With your driver tee up 4 balls, hitting them 100, 150, 200, 250 yards, all with a full swing. Hit some shots with your eyes closed. Practice a 3 count finish, meaning prioritize your finish, pause and count to three.
Bottom line, when you take your practice swing your efforts are focused on the feeling, length and speed of the swing. As soon as the ball gets there your focus changes.......think swing not ball.
Bill
I am starting a golf program in our high school and was looking for some help, things to do drills to teach and anything thing else that might help us with our new golf program.
Thanks,
Scott
Scott: Here in Arizona, our Southwest Section puts on High School Coaches Clinics semi-annually. See if your PGA Section does the same. I will contact you directly via email to discuss your program. Buy some books that contain short game drills and games that you can use in your practice sessions. You need to learn a little bit about some simple error correction and emphasize scoring (putting, chipping, pitching, wedge play) rather than ball striking. Your team at it's age and skill level is going to want to spend more time on the full swing and hitting it hard, than short game. That is why you need some games to keep them interested during supervised practice sessions.
Bill
Rules: John Crumbley -- Certified PGA Professional, Rules Expert
Is it OK to put a gel on the face of your driver to prevent slicing?
Kit
Kit,
You can not put anything on the club face to influence the motion of the ball. Penalty for doing so is disqualification. Read Rule 4-2b.
4-2 Playing Characteristics Changed and Foreign Material
a. Playing Characteristics Changed
During a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a club must not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means.
b. Foreign Material
Foreign material must not be applied to the club face for the purpose of influencing the movement of the ball.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-1 or -2:
Disqualification.
My playing partner's drive landed in soft ground in the rough and had plugged. He lifted and placed the ball in order to play his second shot, without penalty. Was this correct?
ian taylor
25-2 Embedded Ball
A ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground in any closely mown area through the green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green."Closely mown area" means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.
First thing to note here from your situation is Rule 25-2 allows free relief for a ball embedded in its own pitch mark in "closely mown areas" only, meaning fairway height or less. So unless the committee or the golf course had put into place a local rule allowing free relief in all areas of the course through the green your playing partner would not be given free relief. In that case he could either play the ball as it lies or take an unplayable lie under penalty of one stroke. Also please note the ball would be dropped, not placed in taking relief under rule 25-2.
Equipment: Tom Henderson -- PGA Professional, Master Club Fitter
Played my whole life with regular shaft. Now I am in my sixties and have lost some distance. Being in good shape helps, but loft , kick-point, degree of loft in a shaft is where I need help.
please advise
bill griffin
Bill:
When was the last time you had your swing speed tested?
If you have lost 10 or more mph in clubhead speed from where you used to be, I would recommend dropping down a flex and experimenting with a Senior or "A" flex. Along with a softer shaft, make sure you are using a shaft with a low kick point (a low kick point promotes a higher ball flight) and weighs in the 50-60 gram range.
"Loft" applies to the club head. Make sure that you've got at least 11 degrees of loft on your driver (you may even consider 13-16 degrees of loft). The lower the clubhead speed, the more loft needed.
As I state with most of my responses on PGA.com, find a PGA Professional, well-versed in club fitting, that uses ACTUAL BALL FLIGHT in the evaluation process.
Are chippers legal for male and female players? If so, what are the best chippers available for men/women?
Amy
Amy:
Chippers are legal for both male and female players provided that they conform with Appendix II in the Rules of Golf. The main thing to note is that, although these clubs are built to look like putters, they are not allowed to have a grip with a flat surface (like a putter).
Most chippers have #7 or #8 iron loft. If you have room in your bag to add one (less than 14 clubs), this may be a good add. Otherwise, you might consider chipping with a #7 iron, hybrid, or fairway wood.
Hope this helps.
