Expert Answers: Vol. 14

Editors Note: We receive hundreds of questions each week 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: On short wedge shots from 75 yards in I am constantly pulling the ball left of target and short. Can you help me understand what I am doing wrong?

Answer: Hello Jim. First things first, what is your divot doing? You'd be surprised at how much information your divot can give you. Odds are if you're pulling your shots than your divots should be pointing left of target, try this instead; put down two clubs about a foot apart and parallel to one another. Make sure that they are pointing towards your target and hit balls in between those clubs. The idea is to make your divots point more towards the target. You practice this enough and your friends will be calling you Jim "The Laser"!!!
Best of luck,
Martin

Question: How can you break the habit of pulling up when approaching the ball ? I have got in the habit of pulling up and when doing that I top the ball and don't get a solid hit. Thanks, James

Answer: Ok James, I'm going to give you two things. Usually someone who pulls up, first goes down. What I'd like you to think of while you're practicing is to maintain the flex in your left knee throughout your swing. If you do this successfully it will minimize how much your body will be changing up and down. Second is to place a golf ball about a foot behind your intended golf ball. I want you to hit your intended golf ball without hitting the ball behind it; this will ensure that you are striking the ball on a descending blow. Oh Yeah, one more thing! No need to thrash at full speed right away, go slow and develop your skill, then give it a good thrashing!!!

Best of Luck,
Martin

Rules: Ron Hickman, Vice Chairman PGA Rules Committee

Question: (two questions) My golf partner and I played last night with another group. (We were subbing in a league that we had not played in before.) My partner hit one close to the out of bounds fence that runs the perimeter of the golf course. If the out of bounds was marked with white stakes and not a fence he would have had a playable lie. The other group charged him a stroke to take relief from the fence. I thought the fence was a man made obstruction and he should have received a free drop.

Answer: Bob, this is a great question and at the club level often confusing. Defining the playing field is important in all sports, and golf is no exception. Defining the boundaries of the course is typically accomplished in several different methods such as: property fences, white stakes or white paint installed on the ground. Often times a written description on the supplementary rules is required to define public roads, parking lots and other situations where installing stakes is not practical.

While it is true that fences and stakes are manmade material the definition has an exception.

Obstructions

An "obstruction" is anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice, except:

a) Objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings.

b) Any part of an immovable artificial object that are out of bounds.

c) Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course. (Examples: Bulk head used as retaining wall around a water hazard.)

When a player has interference from an object defining out of bounds he is not entitled to use the relief procedure under Rule 24-2 (immovable obstruction). If the fence you spoke of was out of bounds and stakes were installed to define the course boundaries, you would still not receive relief under the obstruction rule.

Your partner would either have to play the ball from where it came to rest on the course, possibly selecting a sideway or backwards direction of play. If this was not an option, then he could proceed under Rule 28 (unplayable) incurring a penalty stroke for the relief within the provisions of the rule.

Question: What is the proper ruling for this?

1) Later in the round, my partner yanked one left off of the tee into high weeds. (Yes, he is a hack but I over look this since he provides a steady flow of betting income on our weekly game!) He called a provisional in case we could not find the original shot. He yanked the second tee shot into the same weeds. (See 'hack' comment above.) Never found the second ball, but we did find the first which he hit out of the weeds. After hitting out of the weeds, he's lying two and the provisional tee shot is ignored as if it never happened.

A Provisional ball is a ball played under Rule 27-2 for a ball that may be lost outside a water hazard. This is a time saving feature of the rules but with responsibility. A player who has reason to believe that as a result of a stroke, his ball will be difficult to find or has come to rest out of bounds must announce that he is playing a provisional ball. The term "Provisional ball" must be worded in this announcement. After a wayward tee shot the player who states, "That might be a goner," then plays another ball, now lies three.

The timeline for playing a provisional is before the golfer or his side has gone forward to search. When a player has correctly played a provisional ball, he is entitled to continue to play the provisional ball until he reaches the general location where his original ball is believed to be lost. He then has 5 minutes to find the original ball. After 5 minutes the player's ball is lost even if found and he must continue play with the provisional ball.

If the player takes a look at the search area and decides that he is better off playing the provisional ball, he can play his provisional ball past the search area and that becomes his ball in play.

" Ball's put into play without the correct announcement or after going forward to search results in the second ball played becoming your ball in play under stroke and distance.

" A provisional ball played past the search area results in that ball becoming your ball in play.

" When the player's original ball is found within the 5 minute time limit, the provisional ball loses all status under the rules. Should the player play another stroke with the provisional ball, he has played a stroke with a wrong ball.

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

Question: Do clubs wear out? I have a set of irons that is about three to four years old. I am not a great golfer maybe about a 17 handicap I am not sure. If I spend the money on new clubs will it make a big difference or should I take a lesson? or both.I think if I ask the store they will tell me to buy the clubs, and why wouldn't they.
Richard

Answer: Yes, clubs do wear out. PGA Touring professionals will change often because of the wear and tear of their practice regimens being destructive to their equipment. Check the groves on your irons, especially your wedges. If the groves are not clean and sharp, you might be losing a degree of control.

Updated technology in general might improve your game as well. A club with a larger moment of inertia or a different center of gravity can optimize your ball flight.

Check with your local PGA Professional and they can point you in the correct direction. Instruction should include an analysis of your equipment and how it needs to work hand in hand with your swing characteristics.

Thank you,

Question: What is your opinion on "clone" clubs? I am a 20 hdcp and I don't see the need to buy a $400 driver to help me push balls into the water.

Answer: I believe that the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product from the recognized and accomplished name brands would be my first option. These companies have the quality history and engendering to stand behind their product.

I would not go so far as to say that a "clone" club would not fit your needs but when making the investment in the future of your game that an OEM product will most likely make you happier. As in all things related to equipment in this greatest of all games, I would contact your local PGA Professional to guide you through these decisions. Maybe your professional can help you with your swing along the way for fewer "water ball" experiences.

Thank you,

Fitness: David Donnatucci, PGA Director of Fitness

Question: After the first third of a round of golf I am experiencing so much muscle tightness that I can not get off the tee effectively. I am concerned about my ability to continue golfing. I am 65 but quite strong and in good shape. Ideas for this problem?

Bob Greer

Answer: Muscle tightness comes from a couple areas, overworking the muscles or not recovering properly. Swinging the golf club should involve a fluid motion to strike the ball. Being strong is a benefit, however the muscles need to be loose and efficient in their movement pattern. An analogy would be like walking, the body needs to be stabile to remain upright however the walking movement is an efficient pattern of muscular contractions. If you were straining to walk you would only be able to take a few steps at a time.

If you are gripping the club tighter as the round progresses this may lead to increased tightness in the muscles. This will also affect breathing and increase the strain to the muscles. Tension in the neck and shoulders due to improper breathing patterns and tightness in the chest as well.