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: Martin Hall, 2008 PGA National Teacher of the Year

Q: My question involves the motion most typical used to start the downswing for good players. I have read/heard that some players start the downswing with the right knee moving toward the ball, others start with a shift of weight to the left foot, Others start with a hip rotation. What's the "best"?
Dan Severson

Answer: Not an easy one to answer!! There is no one best way. If you tend to hook or hit fat shots probably weight shift to your left foot is a good thought. If you tend to pull balls left of target, right knee at the ball is a good thought. You're just going to have to find out what works best for you.
Good luck,
Martin

Q: I am 44 years old. I am a 12 handicap. My inconsistency costs me at least 6 strokes per round. I would like to have a 3/4 swing but trying to shorten my swing throws off my tempo. How can I shorten my swing? Thanks.
Sean Sparks

Answer: The best way to shorten the swing that I know is to limit the amount your right arm folds on the backswing. Have the feeling of very little flex at the right elbow and you will for sure curtail your backswing.
Good luck,
Martin

Equipment: Eric Hogge, PGA - PGA Learning Center

Q: This is about shaft selection, graphite - vs - steel. Is it true you lose distance with graphite? Also will increasing the stiffness of graphite help?
thanks
jim z

A: Jim,

I do not believe you will loose distance with graphite. One of the advantages of graphite is its weight, most of the time, being lighter than steel. Lighter things can swing faster. If anything, graphite, most likely, will make a player hit the ball further not shorter than steel.

The driver is the only club where a player is trying to maximize distance. With every other club, a player is trying to hit a consistent distance. In other words, a player does not want to hit a six iron longer than its prescribed distance and over the target. You will see graphite in almost all drivers but not dominate in the irons. Steel gives the player a different "feel" than graphite and is preferred by some players for the irons because distance is not the primary issue.

If a shaft flex is too soft, it can cost you speed and, more importantly, consistency. This is true regardless of the steel or graphite.

Thank you,

Q: Thank you for taking the time to read my question. My set has Driver and a CPR 3 21 degree than it drops down to my irons starting with a 3 iron. My question would you recommend me getting a 3 wood or a 5 wood?
Thank you
Shaun Downs

A: Shaun,

If you are hitting your long irons (3, 4) well, I assume you have enough club speed to warrant a 3 wood. A 3 wood is usually around 15 degrees of loft and should hit the ball a different distance, longer, than your 21 degree CPR club. There are some 3 woods with stronger, 13 degree lofts but 15 degrees is about the standard. Other than being a different distance club than a 21 degree CPR, a 3 wood can become an "emergency" driver on those days the actual driver is not going the way you want.

A 5 wood is another issue. You will need to determine if the there is still a distance gap between the 3 wood and the CPR 21 degree club as 5 wood lofts are usually around 19 degrees. This is getting close to the CPR club's loft and may not produce a discernable distance difference. Another decision here is fairway wood versus hybrid. Hybrids can be easier to hit than a 5 wood for some players. At higher lofts, they can even replace your long irons.

I think a 3 wood an easy choice for you with the 5 wood / hybrid need being determined after a gap analysis.

Thank you,

Rules: Brad Gregory, Vice Chairman PGA Rules Committee

Q: During the broadcast of the AT&T at Pebble Beach, Brandel Chamblee mentioned that, years ago some "friends" played the 18th hole at Pebble Beach between the 3rd & 4th rounds at midnight under a full moon. Would this qualify as practice on the course between rounds of a stroke play tournament?
Thanks,
Glenn

A: If the "friends" were competitors that had made the 54 hole cut, absolutely. Rule 7-1b (Before or Between Rounds; Stroke Play) says in part: "When two or more rounds of a stroke-play competition are to be played over consecutive days, a competitor must not practice between those rounds on any competition course remaining to be played, ..." The penalty for breach of Rule 7-1b is disqualification.

Q: I have been having a on going battle with one of my golf buddies. He putts with just one hand and he's pretty good at it. Can a player putt with just one hand on the club?
Thank You,
Vincent Marsala

A: There is nothing in the Rules that require a player to have both hands on the club while making a stroke. PGA Tour player, Mike Hulbert, putted one handed for several years on tour.

Fitness: David Donnatucci, PGA Director of Fitness

Q: What are good excercises or stretches to loosen up the hip flexors?
john Heldman

A: John

The best exercise to loosen up the hip is the half kneeling hip flexor stretch. Place your right knee on the ground and your left foot flat on the ground out in front of you. Tilt your hips so your belt buckle is pointing up, squeeze your right butt cheek and push your hips forward.

Maintain the tilt in the hips and squeeze in the butt. Hold 3-5 seconds and repeat 6 times. Switch legs.