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: Dear Mr. Hall, I'm a 14 year old golfer. I play everyday that I can, so I am pretty accustomed to my tendencies. With almost every club (even my three wood), I take a rather large divot. I've tried many different things, but I can never seem to sweep the ball off the ground with my long irons or take a nice clean divot with my short-mid irons. What can i do to help this? Thanks
Nate

A: Ah Nate, it seems as though you are suffering from a case of the "Steepnism!" Not to worry, it is curable. I don't condone you driving so please have one of your parents drive you to the local hardware store and pick-up a painters extension pole, approxiamate 6ft in length and should be under $15.00. I want you to practice swinging the painters extension just like a normal golf club without hitting the ground. This will help flatten out your swing and allow you to "sweep" the ball off the ground.
Good luck,
Martin

Q: I have a problem with raising up at impact. Are there any drills to use to help with this problem?
Chad Ellison

A: Chad, usually raising up at impact is an error correction for taking a harsh divot. The best way I know to help get rid of that would be to practice with the ball above your feet. Find a hill and make repeated swings with the ball above your feet and this will help round out your swing and also help you keep a better balance.
Good luck,
Martin

Rules: Brad Gregory, Vice Chairman PGA Rules Committee

Q: On a par 3 player A's tee shot comes to rest near the hole. Player B tee shot strikes player A's ball and A's ball goes into the hole. Is it a hole in one for player A?
Bernie Polt

A: Unfortunately for player A it is not a hole in one. Under Rule 18-5 (Ball at Rest Moved; By Another Ball) player A must replace his ball on the spot on which it was moved. Player B must play the ball as it lies. There is no penalty to anyone.

Q: A player's ball lies just outside a bunker or water hazard. On his backswing, the club strikes the sand of the bunker or ground or water in the water hazard. Is there a penalty? I cannot find it in my rule book.
Thank you,
Robert (Bob) Tuchel

A: There is no penalty because the ball was not in the hazard.

Rule 13-4 (Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions) only applies if a ball is in a hazard or has been lifted from a hazard and may be dropped or placed in the hazard. This Rule says in part that; before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard (whether a bunker or water hazard), the player must not touch ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or a club.

A stroke begins with the forward movement of the club. Therefore, when a ball is in a hazard, touching this ground or water on the backswing is prohibited.

Equipment: Eric Hogge, PGA - PGA Learning Center

Q: Sir: I saw one question to Martin Hall about wearing out the heal of the glove swinging the club. I am wearing out the "Left Thumb, near the meaty area opposite the thumb nail, on all my golf gloves". Is my left hand too weak because I am right handed? Or, is my left hand grip incorrect?

Thanks for your time.
Steve Malley

A: Steve, whenever I hear of a glove wearing out prematurely, especially in a consistent spot, I first think of the hands moving on the grip during the swing. The left thumb does take some pressure both from the club underneath and the top hand pressing from above. Unfortunately, it sounds as if your issue is more than just usual wear and tear.

I would not think that a weak grip, as in open, would be an issue with wearing out your glove on the thumb pad. If your hands are unstable on the club this is another matter. I would recommend working with a PGA professional to see if your hands are moving on the club during the swinging motion. Harsh or "cord" type grips can shorten the life of a glove as well.

Thank you,

Q: How do I know if my clubs fit me and my swing
Brian

The world's best players know the importance of having clubs that are custom built to fit their swings. (Photo: Getty Images)

A: Brian, players will tend to adjust their swinging motion to their clubs. For instance, if your clubs are too flat for you, you may tilt into the shot more than is customary. This may not create the most efficient swing for you and your body but for the clubs you are using. With this said, I think the best place to look is shot pattern and wear spots on the club.

If you have used the same clubs for a while, you will notice an impact spot on your clubs. An example would be If the spot is consistently on the high and toe portion of the club, the clubs might be too flat for you. If you are remarkably better from a tee than off the ground this may tell us that your clubs are not correct for you as off a tee the ground is not a factor at impact. I would watch your divot patterns as well. If the first part of the divot is not square and one edge, toe or heel, is entering the ground first this would speak of misfit clubs.

Shot pattern can tell a story too. Clubs that are too upright will tend to make the ball go left for a right hand player, especially with the shorter irons. A club too flat will make the ball go more right.

I would recommend getting a roll of lie tape and hitting a few shots off of an impact board. Most golf facilities will have one. This will mark your lie tape on the sole of the club, showing where your club impacted the ground. If it impacts the ground too much toward the heel, the clubs are too upright for you, too much toward the toe and the clubs are too flat.

In all things relating to equipment, it is best to visit your local PGA Professional. They can point you in the correct direction.

Thank you,

Fitness: David Donnatucci, PGA Director of Fitness

Q: How much weight training is too much? Can a person be too muscular (Bulky) for golf?
Rich

A: Rich, there is no limit on how much weight training. A golf training program depends on a balance between strength, power, stability, mobility, balance and flexibility. A person can be too bulky if they are unable to move through the proper range of motions during the swing. Most individuals over develop one muscle group over another which creates an imbalance. Such as the chest being over developed and Back muscles being under developed.