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

Question: I just started learning how to play golf from and instructor and was wondering does power come with time and comfort from your swing or is that it when you get your swing somewhat sound. I'm 24 years old with a background in football and wrestling and do lift 3 times a week. It seems that my drive only will go 230-250 range right now. I have new clubs Taylormade so I know it's not my clubs. Do I just need patience and let my swing and power develop or am I stuck hitting short shots.
Justin Barber

Answer: Well Mr. Barber, coming from such an athletic backgroung that includes football and wrestling I'm sure you are well aware that the gift of speed has the upper hand in most sports; golf is no different. A great way to get more speed in your swing is by incorporating more of the lower body. Try this drill; Set the ball on a tee and take a normal stance. Start the swing back and at the same time bring your front foot over to your back foot. At the top of the swing you will step forward and make your full swing, very similar to how you throw a football.
Best of Luck,
Martin

Question: Dear Martin,
I've been playing for 2 yrs now and love the game, but the problem is that nature cheated me out and I only stand 5'-5" tall. On an average drive, I probably hit the ball 220 yds or so. I can't help feeling cheated when I see 6'+ tall guys hammering the ball. Are there any drills/ techniques to help me get a little more yds out of my drives? Or should I just accept that due to my height this will probably be my best yardage. Your advice is much appreciated!
Thanks,
Julio Cruz

Answer: Ah Mr. Cruz, not to worry! I know many people who are not very tall but can still hit the ball a long ways. One of the biggest reasons why people do not hit the golf ball as far as they want is because they do not learn how to properly hinge their wrists. A proper wrist hinge will supply more leverage and greater club head speed to the ball. Start by taking some practice swings with the feeling of your right knuckles folding back towards the top of your arm and your left thumb being pulled in the same direction. Practice trying to hold that for a longer period on the down swing and you should see the golf ball shoot down the fairway like a rocket ship.

Best of Luck,

Martin

Rules: Ron Hickman, Vice Chairman PGA Rules Committee

Question: If a sprinkler box located just off the fairway in the rough and interferes with the path of my intended shot, do I get relief?
Steve Fox

Answer: Steve,

The rules of golf give special status to objects which are artificial which includes artificially surfaced roads, irrigations control boxes, sprinkler heads. Relief is optional provided they these objects are located on the course and the player's ball does not lie in or touch the water hazard. Read Definition : Obstruction .

Tour players often elect to hit a shot off the cart path rather than an area of relief. (Photo: Getty Images)

Many players elect to hit from the cart path rather than from the closest point of relief. (Photo: Getty Images)

Relief for an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with the player's stance or the area of intended swing. In your question you're entitled to free relief only if the sprinkler box interferes physically with the lie of the ball, your stance or with a normal swing and direction of play. There is not any relief simply because an artificial object is on your line of play.

Something to remember is that just because you have interference from an immovable obstruction relief is optional, it might be better to play the ball as it lies.

Example: A ball comes to rest on a cart path (immovable obstruction) the area surrounding the cart path consist of tall, thick bushes and rocky ground. The nearest point of relief would require the player to drop into this condition. In my example the nearest point of relief as required under Rule 24-2 would certainly not be a nicer place to play and most likely present a very difficult next shot. So remember this phrase "look before your lift" read Decision 18-2a/12

Question: I sometimes see caddies pull the flastick and then use it to help the golfers line up putts. I thought that this was against the rules. Am I wrong?
mickey moore

Answer: Ask the following questions:
Where did the ball come to rest?
Where was the flagstick when the stroke was made?

The Flagstick is a movable obstruction which may be removed at anytime without penalty provided the ball is at rest. Prior to playing his stroke , the player or his side may then use the flagstick to help indicate the player's line of play. The flagstick when used in such can lightly touch the line of play without any penalty. Of course all such indicators must be removed prior to the playing of the stroke.

Note: Definition: Line of Play; Applies when a ball is at rest off the putting green.

When your ball lies on or touches the putting green the Rule 16-1a greatly restricts the touching of the player's line of putt. Prior to making the stroke, a player or his side may still use a flagstick to indicate a direction of putt but must avoid touching the putting green.

Note: Definition: Line of Putt; Applies when a ball lies on or touches the putting green

Equipment: Eric Hogge, PGA - Director of Clubfitting for PGA of America

Question: In the last two years , I have taken up the game of golf and have found myself totally hooked on the game. I am 47 years old and have asked way too many questions to many people about what is the best club to play with. I took some advise from a couple of guys I play with and purchased a set of Callaway Big Bertha irons.

This is a decent set of irons but I have found I can not hit the irons the distance I thought I could. I played a round two weeks ago with an old friend who is a very good golfer and he shared two things with me. Get a professional golf lesson and get fitted for a set of clubs. I agreed with both of his suggestions and then I asked the ultimate question, could I play a round with your clubs (Ping EYE 2 Black Dot). He being the friend agreed.

He did not play with me for fear of seeing what I would do to his clubs.I was amazed at how I could hit the irons. I thought the first 4 holes were a joke. I was hitting a 7 iron 160 yards with ease. I was actually lifting turf in a straight line from a 8 iron back. The straw that finally broke the camel's back was my second shot with a 3 iron I hit from 220 yards out on a par 5 that hit the green and I eagled the hole.

I am not going to bore you with the rest of the game but to ask this: Is it possible for someone that has never played golf to go from a very large forgiving cavity back iron to a lesser cavity back iron so quickly? I am on the verge of buying a set of clubs just like his! What do you suggest. Sorry for the long message. I am still excited about that day.
Scott G. Taylor

Answer: Scott,

The short answer is yes. The PING EYE 2 is one of the best selling irons of all time. The black dot indicates a standard lie angle.

There are three general categories in which I would place iron head designs. There is the "Tour" style head or blade iron. There is a "Performance" head that is more forgiving than the Tour head (the Eye 2 would fall in this category). The last category would be a "Game Improvement" club that is generally larger and easier to hit, getting the ball in the air more easily, especially with off center hits.

I would do three things. I would take a fitting from a qualified PGA Professional. I would take your friend's clubs and have the specifications analyzed with regard to lie, length, weight, shaft flex, grip... The investment casting process that PING uses in the manufacturing process should keep the clubs as they were made unless their specifications have been altered to fit a certain player. And lastly, stay excited as, perhaps for the first time, your have glimpsed your potential.

Thank you,

Question: i have always heard that the right clubs can make or break your game, but they can also break the bank. How can I know what clubs are right for me. The last time i listened to a sales rep i spent almost $1500 with out a putter and ended up going from a 9 handicap to a 15. How can i prevent this from happening again?

John

Answer: John,

I would agree that clubs can make or break the desire for the game. The key here is a proper fitting.

If you were a marksman in a competition who had a quality rifle but the sight was too far down the barrel of the gun, you would have to alter your body positions to aim the gun. Or if the rifle fired 20 degrees to the left of your sight you would learn, through trial and error, to aim 20 degrees to the right of your "bulls eye" target. I would have to think that if my rifle "fit" me, I would be more a consistent marksman given similar ability and would have a better chance of taking home the gold medal.

It may very well be that you clubs are well made and quality products but not fit to your body specifications and swing style. A qualified PGA Professional can assess your current swing dynamics, potentially help you with instruction and either alter your current clubs or suggest a club that better fits your game. As in the rifle analogy, you may have adjusted your swing to match you equipment and may need some swing advice to get you back on track. In short, I would not want you to continue making swing adjustments to fit your club specifications but instead, have clubs that fit your best swing.

Thank you

Fitness: David Donnatucci, PGA Director of Fitness

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

Answer: 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.

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

Answer: 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.