Instruction: Jim Hardy, 2008 PGA National Teacher of the Year

Q: I struggle from bunkers, especially in two cases. If the ball is perched in the sand, and I am green-side, how should I play the ball? I struggle with spin and consistency, and I am wondering if I should pick the ball clean or hit down on it. This also applies for if the ball is buried in a greenside bunker. What is the proper form for hitting it out with some bite? Thanks a lot for the help.
Sam

Different types of lies in the bunker will require different techniques to escape. (Wireimage.com)

A: The perched lie in the bunker should be played with a shallow angle; other wise you will usually not hit the ball far enough if you dig under it with a normal or steep swing. To play a shallower shot, simply allow your arms to swing more around you in a flatter manner, both backswing and downswing. With regards to to semi-buried and buried lies, you need a steeper swing and a more digging club face. Play these shots with a square club face rather than an open face and swing more upright to dig farther under the ball. Buried and semi-buried lies do not come out with much backspin. It is not possible to put much bite on the ball from these lies.

Q: Hello, I'm a single figure player who has been trying desperately to get over the dreaded 'yips' for ~5 years now. I've been playing golf for roughly 15 years, I'm now 26yrs old and have previously played state level golf at a very young age.
When I first started playing golf I could sink anything within 6 ft...no problems, it was almost like I had no fear of missing, it was like the ball was on a string.
These days I nearly break out in a sweat just thinking about standing over a small 3 foot putt to save par.
I've tried just about everything to get over my putting woes, I've changed putters, my stance, alignment, grip but nothing seems to work.
Or if it does work it's only temporary.
Strangely enough I putt really well on the practice green, I'll hole all of those 'makeable' putts inside 6 ft. But, when I get out on the course in a competition it all changes....it feels as though I've done all that practice for nothing. I feel totally alien over the ball, it's as though I have no idea what I'm doing, and I have no control over my putting stroke. When I know I need to make the putt to save par or to make a much needed birdie...I jab at the ball uncontrollably. The ball then races 4 ft past the cup and I'm left standing in the same position I was originally in...except my next putt is now for bogey.
Recently I have even considered using a belly/broomstick putter to eliminate this jerking action....although I feel as though this is a last resort.
My long game is great, in fact I can't remember the last time I've hit the ball so well, I have more control over the ball flight and can consistently hit greens in reg...but, cannot convert due to my poor putting, I analyse my game very closely and complete stats after each round, at the moment I'm averaging 37 putts per round, at my peak I averaged 27 putts per round....10 shot difference.
My chipping/pitching is also as good as it's been, the only downfall in my game is my putting. Please help!!
Sadly, I'm now at the stage in my golfing career where I'm finding that I'm not enjoying the game as much as I used to....I know that I have what it takes to play better golf, but cannot get over my putting issues.
I think my putting problem has now become more or a mental challenge than a physical one....I'm starting to believe that the body only does what the mind tells it to do. I've read numerous articles on the 'yips' and know that this is not an uncommon occurrence. What do you suggest I do?

A: The yips do start out as a mechanical mistake and soon turn into a mechanical and mental mistake.
The main mechanical error is driving the handle of the putter forward (towards the target) with too much force at the start of the downstroke which causes the putter head to lag too much. This is much the same motion as getting the club stuck behind you in a full swing. The problem with this is that by the time you get to impact, the putter head requires too much manipulation to get into the back of the ball. This manipulation need is most severe on short putts because of the size of the stroke and and lack of time you have to make the correcting manipulation to hit the putt correctly. On longer putts you have more time and a bigger stroke in which to accomplish the adjustments needed to hit the ball correctly. All of this is more critical under the pressure of of the course. I strongly suggust using a belly putter for a while as you cannot over pull on the handle of the putter with it anchored into you body. I also suggust using the claw grip as this puts your right hand in more of a pushing motion like a pool cue stroke. If you are insistent in continuing to want to use a short putter, I suggust copying Jack Nicklaus or even more, Zack Johnson's stroke, both of which are more of a push motion to move the putter head forward from the top of the backswing and through impact.

Equipment: Tom Henderson, PGA Professional & Master Club Fitter

Q: I have several boxes of new golf balls for a few years and I wanted to know if golf balls get bad sitting in a box for a long period of time?
Thanks, Charlie

A: Charles: In the old days, golf balls were considered to be a "perishable item". The balata ball (which dominated the market place) had a limited self life. Those days are long gone. Today's multi-pieced golf balls will virtually last forever. This spells bad news for the manufacturer and good news for the consumer. Keep 'em in the fairway!

Q: I recently received a gift of appreciation. I was given Taylor Made R7 Draw irons "stiff shaft" What are the ramifications of having stiff shafts when my swing speed calls for regular? Bill

A: Bill: Nice gift of appreciation!! If you "fit" into regular but are swinging stiff shafts, here are a few things that may occur:
- Loss of distance
- Gain in accuracy
- Lower launch angle (ball flight)
- Lower ball spin rate

Seek out your PGA Professional and have he/she evaluate your equipment using actual ball flight to determine if your equipment is right for you.

Hope this helps.