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!

Rules: Ron Hickman, Vice Chairman PGA Rules Committee

Q: An old cup in the line off your put that is either raised or lower. What is the proper rule for this? Releif or rub of the green?
Don Owens

A: Dear Don

Your question regarding the status of an old hole plug on the putting green has several possibility's. If the hole plug is correctly repaired there would be no special status under the rules and in fact the hole plug may assist your aiming for your next putt. If the old hole plug has sunken or is not level with the putting surface the player may make every effort to repair the damaged condition. The action of repairing should be preformed in much in the same way a player repairs a ball mark on the putting green.

Be sure you get a proper ruling before you make any adjustments to the green. (Photo: Getty Images)

The act of repairing is one of the 7 exceptions to Rules 16-1a (vi) which defines the times in which a player may touch his line of putt and not be penalized. The act of repairing hole plugs ball marks is spelled out specifically under Rule 16-1c and may be preformed regardless of the balls position on the course.

The Rules of Golf have 50 Definitions. A general knowledge of the definitions is critical and provides information that will assist with your understand the of the rule. Three of these Definitions will help your understand of this question: Line of Putt, Line of Play and Putting Green.

The 34 Rules of Golf are supported by over 1,200 Decisions. Decision 16-1c/3 has a titled called "Old hole Plug sunk or raised on line of putt" A summary of this Decision allows a player to take reasonable action to repair the condition even if on the player's line of putt. If this does not repair the condition then the player should discontinue play and request the committee to repair. In the unlikelihood repair by the Committee is not possible then the Committee could declare the condition ground under repair and take relief under Rule 25-1b(iii)

If declared Ground Under Repair by the Committee relief is an option provided the ball is in play on the putting green and the condition is on the players line of putt. Nearest point of relief and place the ball in play (this might require a player to place a ball into play through the green (yet another Definition to learn).

Q: When is the hole over? What if my tee shot plugged into the edge of the hole, is that a hole in one? This really did happen to me. The ball was not below the edge of the hole but was in a ball mark on the edge of the hole. I lifted and cleaned the ball and replaced it only to then have my ball fall into the hole. What is the ruling? Did I make a hole in one?
Derek

A: Derek,

I'm certain this happened and maybe more often than you think especially during the early spring when greens a extremely soft from the winter thaw. There are two decisions which describe the two possible conclusions to your questions based

Decision 16/2 Ball Embedded in the side of hole; All of ball is below lip of the hole. The conclusion by Decision is the ball should be considered holed and the hole is over.

Decision 16/3 Ball Embedded in the side of the hole: all is not below the lip of the hole. In this Decision the ball is in play and not holed. Player may either play his next stroke from this position or better yet, since the ball is at rest on the putting green he may mark, lift and clean the ball and should repair the damaged lip of the hole. He will then be required to replace from where he lifted and play into the hole with his next stroke.

To follow up on your question regarding lifting a ball, cleaning and replacing the ball only to have the ball fall into the hole.

A ball when lifted and replaced the ball is back into play and the provisions of Rule 16-2: Ball overhanging the lip of the hole do not apply. Decision 16-2/0.5 concludes that a ball when lifted and replaced does not have the 10 second provisions of Rule 16-2 and if the ball did fall into the hole after being replaced, the ball is holed and the rules consider the player to have holed out with his last stroke but the player incurs the one stroke penalty under Rule 16-2.

One of the Definitions is the term "Holed" explains that a ball is "hole" when it comes to rest within the Circumference of the hole and ALL of it is BELOW the level of the hole.

Interesting fact: The line of putt or lip of the hole is generally sacred ground and the player must not touch this area prior to completing the hole. A ball mark in the lip of the hole is one of the exceptions and the area maybe repaired at anytime. Remember balls marks have no ownership and any ball mark on the putting green maybe repaired regardless of the balls location on the course.

Instruction: Martin Hall, 2008 PGA National Teacher of the Year

Q: Hi. I need a tip for hitting the long irons. 3-5. i hit the lower irons fine and feel quite comfortable. i can hit the long irons, however the feel and ease is just not there. thank you.
rich shrona

Answer: Hello Rich, a couple key things to remember when hitting the longer irons is to make sure your ball position is forward compared to your shorter irons so you can have more of a "Sweeping" action. Try to keep looking at the back of the ball until you hit it, this should insure that you keep your head behind the ball at impact. Keep working hard Rich and best of luck to you.
Regards,
Martin

Q: I am hitting a lot of iron shots off center towards the toe of the club. I checked my lie and it is center. Any suggestions on drills to get the shots more toward the center of the club?
I am a 6 handicap so I feel most of the swing basics are pretty good.
Thanks
JT

Answer: Hello JT, One of the best ways I know to aid in a player hitting to many shots off the toe would be to take more horizontal practice swings. Try practicing on a hill with the ball above your feet. Also, try to feel the turn of your right shoulder away from the ball on the backswing and feel it drive forward on the downswing. This will give you a shade more reach on the downswing and cure that dreaded "toe" hit. Best of luck to you.
Regards,
Martin

Fitness: David Donnatucci, PGA Director of Fitness

Q: What exercises / core etc are best to improve balance?
Bob SanGiacomo

If you are looking to improve balance hip stabilization exercises are the best. The Glutes in particular are the stabilizers that will improve your balance. Simple movements such as standing on one leg, standing on one leg and rotating your shoulders, and standing on one leg then bending over to touch your toe with the opposite hand. (Stand on your right leg and touch your toe with your left hand) You can also incorporate standing on one leg while performing lifting exercises such as shoulder press, one arm row, etc.

Q: What are the best stretching exercises to prepare your lower back before a round of golf?
timothy

A: The best way to prepare your back for your round of golf is the days before you play. Incorporating abdominal low back stabilization and mobility exercises. Prior to you playing a warm-up needs to take place to increase blood flow to the area and loosen the body up. Stretching will delay your nervous system response to the muscle and decrease power or torso speed. Performing torso rotation movements, both single leg and double leg as well as glute stabilizing activities and hip flexor mobility movements. Exercises such as a lunge and rotation, stand on one leg and rotate your shoulder left and right, stand on one leg and bend you body over so that it is parallel to the ground.

Spending 5-10 minutes a day working on your abdominals and low back will help to reduce pain and discomfort while you are playing.

Thank You.

Equipment: Eric Hogge, PGA - PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance

Q: My question regards shaft selection, graphite - vs - steel. Is it true you lose distance with graphite? Also will increasing the stiffness of graphite help?
My question is for iron sets only.
thanks
jim z

A: Jim,

I do not believe that you will lose any distance with graphite instead of steel. If anything, I believe the opposite would be correct. Graphite is generally lighter than steel. Force = mass (X) velocity squared. Lighter things go faster (velocity gets squared in the above equation) therefore, greater speed should provide more force. This is one of the reasons that most drivers have graphite shafts while steel is sometimes preferred by players in the irons. A player does not want to maximize distance with irons but to hit a consistent distance filling gaps within the set. I believe that graphite will not cost you distance and might even make you a little longer with each iron.

Graphite and steel should not change the flex needs of your swing. If you were fit for a regular flex with steel, it should be the same with graphite.

Q: I've seen an ad recently for the Spin Doctor RI Wedge - guaranteed to provide backspin on wedge shots. If you are familiar with this product -- is it even legal or acceptable in the golf world? I'm an amateur, but want to follow established guidelines for equipment.
Thank you.
rodger smith

A: Roger,

Thank you for the great question and I appreciate your interest in playing this greatest of all games by the rules. In speaking with an official with the United States Golf Association (USGA), the "readily adjustable" nature of the club (how easy it is to change the face of the club) makes it non-conforming. With all inquiries within the United States, the final determination is at the sole discretion of the USGA.

In The Rules of Golf, published by the USGA, you will find the applicable rule under Appendix II - Design of Clubs (1bi).

Thank you,