Instruction: Jim Hardy - PGA Teacher of the Year

Q: I don't lose distance (I hit a 7 iron between 155-165 but I also do not take much of a divot. I hold most greens but really don't get any backspin. I would like to have a more boring ball flight. What can I do without totally changing my swing.
Rick

A: To get a more boring flight without changing your swing you could try a couple of things. One, play the ball back in your stance and keep the handle of the club moving through impact. The second option is to play a draw. Hooks/draws historically flight lower than straight balls or fades/slices.

Q: When I address the ball, my left arm is straight. Should my elbow face the target? My arm tries to twist, pointing my elbow towards my left hip. Thanks for your help.
John

A: The direction the left elbow points is largely a result of the grip in your left hand. The stronger you left hand is on the club (turned to the right so you see three or more knuckles) the more your left elbow will point at the target. The weaker your left hand grip (turned to the left so you see one knuckle) the more your left elbow points towards you left hip. If your grip is neutral to weak and your left elbow still points at the target, relax your upper left arm and shoulder and let the shoulder and upper arm drop down and back away from the target line. This will allow your left elbow to point left of the target.

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

Q: On our course there is a small stream that is in front of the green. If my ball goes over the stream and then comes back into the stream, can I play it from the side that the green is on or do I have to go back to the other side. This is a red staked area.
Harry

A: The key to applying Rule 26 (Water Hazards (Including Lateral Water Hazards)) is where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard and what color are the stakes or lines. When the margin of a water hazard is marked with red stakes and/or a red line it is a lateral water hazard.

In your case one of the options, under penalty of one stroke, is to drop a ball within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than where the original ball last crossed the margin of the lateral water hazard on the green side of the water hazard.

Q: My ball is on the green, the flagstick has been removed, I try to sink my ball, but it rolls off the green. Can I put the flagstick back in the hole for my next shot?
Thank you. Paul

A: Absolutely! There is no penalty for a ball striking an unattended flagstick, when the stroke is made from off the putting green. Even if a previous stroke was made from on the putting green.

Equipment: Tom Henderson - PGA Professional & Master Clubfitter

Q: Can you tell me exactly what torque is on a golf club and how it should be used in selecting a driver for a senior? Thank you very much.
Tom Ferguson

A: Tom, thanks for your question on golf shaft torque.

"Torque" can simply be defined as a shaft's ability to resist twisting. The more powerful swings most likely require a torque rating of less than 4 while smooth swings match up best with a torque rating above 4. These ratings are located on most of today's shafts or specification sheets.

Hope this information helps you find a shaft with the right amount of torque for you.

Q: How important are the lie angles of your irons and should every iron have the exact same lie?

A: Terry, how important is accuracy to you?!?!

Initial ball flight is directly influenced by lie angle. For a right-handed golfer, if your lie angle is too upright, your ball will tend to fly left of the intended target. Conversely, if your lie angle is too flat, the ball will tend to fly right.

Have your PGA Professional check your lie angle for each club using a lie board and actual ball flight to determine the proper lie angle for you.