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

How much of a putting stroke would you put down to being confident standing over the ball? I seem to be having a bad run with the putter and feel my confidence is slipping over those tricky putts that we all enjoy.
Regards,
Craig

Craig: In my opinion, putting woes are either mechanical, visual, or mental. Before your next round place 4 balls 3 feet from the hole at 12 o'clock, 3,6, and 9 o'clock. Go through your pre sot routine prior to making each stroke and make all 4 consecutively. When you miss, you start all over again. After you make 4 from 3 feet, make 4 from 5 feet consecutively, and then the same from 7 feet. Your eyes and ears need to get used to seeing and hearing the ball go in the hole to have a positive image. This will give you some confidence before you play, and don't forget to hit a few 20 footers to get a good feel for speed and distance. Phil Mickelson does something similar in his practice, only he uses more balls. Give this a try and maybe you'll putt like he does.
Bill

Should I keep my left arm completely straight when hitting the ball and how far should I stand from the ball at set- up.
Greg F.

Greg: The left arm cannot completely straighten, the best you can get is about a 7 degree angle. You may think about your left arm hanging long, but not tense under your shoulders at address. You may think about your left arm getting wide on the backswing, but I would never use the word straight. On the throughswing, it rotates, stays soft, then lengthens. It is very common for right handed golfers to put too much tension and importance in the left arm. Take the pressure off the left and pay more attention to the golfswing being right sided, not left sided. Let me know if this answers your question.
Bill

Rules - John Crumbley, PGA Professional, Rules Expert

I have a Burke chipping iron that is 40 - 60 years old. I use it around the greens and it a great hybrid utility club. It is equally bevelled on both sides. meaning that u can hit it lefty or righty. If u r behind a tree u can hit it out lefty if u r a righty and vice versa.

The question: Is it legal? Someone told me that two-sided clubs were made illegal. You can use a regular club from the other side but not a two sided club. Rule? thanks Marc

Marc,

Appendix II 4-c of the USGA's Rules of Golf a golf club may only have one striking face except that a putter may have two striking faces as long as they have the same characteristics as each other. So your chipper, unless it could be considered a putter, is illegal for play by the rules.

What would be the difference in these two situations. Last year during the World Series of Golf, Tiger hit his second shot (as we thought at the time) on top of the clubhouse. He was given a free drop and played away. He was unable to find or identify his ball. Yesterday during the third round of the Honda, Steve Stricker, hit his tee shot into a tree, unable to identify his ball (he was unable to reach it) he returned to the tee and hit three from there. These two incidents are similiar yet they are treated differently under the rules. Would explain why.

Roy,

The difference is where the balls were "lost". Tiger's ball was not actually lost from what I understand. His ball was picked up by someone outside the club house and the rules official was able to determine that it was Tiger's ball that was picked up and taken so Tiger was allowed to substitute another ball under the rules. From the point Tiger's ball was taken he had interference from a Temporary Immovable Obstruction (TIO), the grandstands, and was given relief without penalty under the rules. Steve's ball was lost because he could not identify his ball within five minutes of beginning to search for it and because it was not lost in a water hazard or an obstruction he had to proceed under Rule 27, Ball Lost or Out of Bounds which has a penalty of "stroke and distance".

There were a lot of things taken into consideration with the Tiger ruling. I have only included the information needed to answer your question. If you want more info on the unique ruling click on this link to read the interview with the rules officials involved, http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/news/story/r476/9620232/ .

Equipment - Tom Henderson, PGA Professional, Master Club Fitter

How can I determine what golf ball is best for me?

I'm about a 12-15hcp, I hit my driver about 280 and my 6 iron about 185. I had someone tell me to a lower compression ball around a 90. Any tips

Thanks, Shane B.

Thanks for your question, Shane.

I don't believe that compression is the issue here. In fact, most high end balls today have similar compression ratings.

I believe you need to look at your spin rate. This can be done with the help of a PGA Professional and a launch monitor.

Judging from the information you have provided, you probably don't have a problem getting the ball up in the air. If this is the case, I would recommend that you try a ball like the Nike One Black. This type of ball will optimize your launch angle and keep your spin rate down, giving you the best combination for optimizing distance.

Hope this helps.

Where will I base the length of my club from driver, irons to putter, Is it on my height or my reach. Anyways, Im 5'8" tall.

Thanks,

Ely

Ely:

DO NOT BASE THE LENGTH OF YOUR GOLF CLUBS SOLELY ON YOUR HEIGHT OR REACH! Static measurements are merely a starting point in the fitting process.

Length and lie angle should be determined DYNAMICALLY ( hitting golf balls). Have a PGA Professional watch your hit balls; taking note of your posture, balance, and ball flight. A club that's too short for you may produce a tighter ball dispersion (straighter shots) along with your posture being too "hunched" and balance issues toward your toes. Conversely, clubs that are too long will probably send the ball longer. However, expect a wider dispersion (not as accurate) and balance issues toward your heels.

Find the right length club that allows you to hit the ball squarely, maintain your balance, and produce the desired ball flight you're looking for. DYNAMIC TESTING PROVIDES THE BEST FEEDBACK.