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!

Jim Hardy, 2008 PGA National Teacher of the Year

Q: I know it is hard to tell a person the reason their ball is doing what it is doing without seeing them hit in person but my question is what might be making me pull hook a ball off the tee. Could I possibly be playing the ball to far forward in my stance?
Thanks
Kerry Caldwell

A: YES or you could be stopping the handle of the club during impact and allowing the club head to flip past the handle and close, hitting the outside of the ball. Try keeping the handle of the club moving around to the left during impact at least as fast as the club head moves through impact, versus the handle stopping and the club head flipping past.

Q: I purchased your swing plane cd set and found it to be very helpful (at least swining clubs in my livingroom - I live in Boston, course opens next week).
I can never get comfortable in the following two areas:
1) when to hinge your wrists on the back-swing. I feel as though I do it too early and the clubs moves slightly out of my right hand (fingers).
2) during my back-swing I virtually straigten out my right leg. I am told the knee should stay bent and pointing forward. It feel so bizarre.
Your advice would be much appreciated.
Brian Collins
Quincy, MA

A: For your first question, I would suggest not cocking the wrists until the second half (above waist high) of the backswing. And as far as question number two goes, I would advise keeping the right slightly flexed rather than bent and not to worry about the direction it points into.

Rules: Brad Gregory, Vice-Chairman - PGA Rules Committee

Q: My buddy says that if you change balls between holes, for any reason, you cannot use that ball later in that round. I disagreed, but could not verify that when I checked my rule book. Will you please set us straight.
Thanks!
william Lutz

A: Rule 1-1 (The Game; General) says: "The Game of Golf consists of playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules."

At each teeing ground the player may change golf balls. When a Rule makes mention of "a" ball this means the player is allowed to put a new ball into play or a used ball even if it was used prior in the round.

Q: If your ball is on the green and your opponent's ball is also on the green and on the same line as your ball but farther away, can you stand directly behind him as he putts to get the line. Is this a Rule infraction or just a question of etiquette?
Tom

A: It is a question of etiquette. Section I of the Rules of Golf (Etiquette; Behavior on the Course) explains that "Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play." The common practice is to stand to one side until the player makes the stroke and then step behind the line to take a look.

Equipment: Tom Henderson, PGA Professional & Master Club Fitter

Q: What does the term "moi" refer to??
thank you
mike horst

A: Mike: "MOI" is the latest "buzz" word and refers to moment of inertia.
As it relates to the clubhead, the higher the MOI, the less the it is subject to twisting on off-center hits. Higher MOI clubheads could be viewed as being more stable (or more forgiving) as these off-center hits will put less side spin on your golf shots.
Get out and try some of this new equipment and see if it makes a difference in your game.

Q: How long or how many rounds do the pros go with a set of clubs? Should an amateur have a number of rounds per set in mind before looking for new clubs?
Tom Campbell

A: Tom, I think, depending on who you talk to, the answers will vary.
Personally, I know some professionals that are playing with equipment that they have had in there bags forever. On the other hand, I know some very strong players that will switch out equipment from week to week. Confidence level, superstition, and personality of the player are factors that may influence these equipment decisions.
Regarding longevity of golf clubs, with proper care and maintenance, your equipment can literally last forever.