Q: Stephen:
What is your suggestion to hit from fairway bunkers. I seem to hit a lot of shots thin when I try and pick it clean. Then I tried hitting down on the ball and I hit it fat. I just wanted to thank you guys for taking time out of your day/evening for giving back to the game we all love. Thanks again!

A: John Pallot (South Florida Section):
Stephen, choke down on the handle two inches and aim for the middle of the ball.If you are hitting it thin, keep your hands a little more forward at address and impact.Thin shots usually mean hands are not forward and left wrist is not flat at impact.Hit some shots with a pen under your wristwatch and make sure your hand and wrist stay in the same line.

Q: Craig Reil:
My biggest miss with all of my irons (and this includes my wedges on chips and pitches) is to hit them fat. When making good contact I barely disturb the grass. What causes me to hit fat shots and what drills can I practice to help improve my iron shots? Thank you and have a great day!

A: Jerry Elwell (Southern California Section):
Criag,

You should have been here in Port St. Lucie, Florida yesterday afternoon for my Chipping Lessons as part of our PGA Play Golf America Day. I was scheduled from 1-4 p.m. They were lined up until dark - 6 p.m. Time after time I answered this problem! Most did not dig as you do but you are doing the same thing - you are a scooper. You are trying to scoop the ball up in the air. The loft of the club will do that with the proper technique.

Here is what you a doing - your weight is balanced or slightly on the back foot. Your shaft angle is straight and when you swing it bends back toward your right leg as you swing through and your wrists bend where your right palm would be going up toward the sky.

You are doing everything opposite of what the highly skilled players do. You need to set up with your weight on the forward leg - as much as 90%. This will immediately create the swing path to become more vertical. You need to put your hands forward off of your left leg - shaft will be leaning forward toward the target.

To minimize your scoop I want you to put the ball way back in your stance (off the inside of your right foot).

All who were here were amazed at how I set them up and made sure they did not scoop or reduced it - all of the them got to dig the ball out of a divot. It was fun to watch the faces of husbands when I put the ball in a hole for their wife and then step on it! They laughed in amazement as their wife was able to make solid contact and pop the ball out. Now the right palm was facing down at the ground instead of at the sky. I kept asking for their address so I could send them a bill.

Give it a try...

Make A Lot of Birdies,

Dr. Jerry Elwell

Q: Bruce:
Are There Industry-Wide Standards for the Lofts of Golf Clubs?

A: Ronald Miller (Southern Texas Section):
There really aren't any standards any more. As evident of this, go to the Taylor Made or Callaway web sites and look at the different specs they have for the differnt clubs. The main thing you would want to look for in a set is the difference between clubs. Lofts should vary only 4 degrees between clubs.

Q: Randy:
I have a hard time hitting my 5-iron as well as my other irons. Is it because it has less loft and may be harder to hit?

Should I make the exact same swing with it as I say a 9-iron.

Thanks.

A: Todd A. Sammons (South Florida Section):
Absolutely. The difference is that the five iron has less loft and is longer than a nine iron. You will be standing a little further away and move the ball toward the left foot, just inside the left heel. When we get the longer irons in our hands, we think we need to swing harder to hit it further. The five iron is made to go further with the same tempo swing as the nine iron. Try this the next time your on the range. Hit nine irons until your striking them pretty well. Then pick up your five iron and swing it like the nine iron. If you start to get quick with the five iron, pick the nine iron back up until your hitting them good again. Keep doing this until the five iron swing becomes as smooth as the nine iron swing. If you have further problems look up your local PGA Professional who can help a great deal! Hope this helps!

Q: Michael:
I tried out the X22 Graphite Shaft Irons from Callaway and never had an iron feel that good in my hands before. In fact, one swing and I was hooked. Then after 25 more swings, I was thoroughly impressed. Are there any irons you would recommend that I compare the X22 to before I buy or is the X22 one of a kind?

Thanks!

A: Deborah J. Foley (South Florida Section):
All major club manufacturers offer a similar iron make up; an oversized head with deep sole designed to get the ball in the air easier. Have someone measure your swing speed and then try clubs that are similar to the x22. Then you can be sure that you are buying the club most comfortable for you. Best of luck!