Readers Q&A

This section is devoted to your questions about golf swing technique, buying golf equipment, rules and etiquette, and playing golf in New York City. This forum depends on you! Why not submit a question today. You'll not only improve your game, but everyone else who is looking for help. Remember, golf is a hard game and there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Please note: All questions and answers will be considered for placement in the Readers Forum. Our sole purpose is to help other golfers improve their games. If you don't want me to reprint your question, please let me know. Thank you, The Golf Studio.

Q. I'm playing just over a year. My swing was doing O.K. at the driving range. But when I went out to play, it was like I didn't know what I was doing? What's wrong with me?

A. Nothing. Playing golf on a course is four times as hard as learning and practicing at the driving range. Most New Yorkers are used to hitting off mats. The golf course presents a new set of problems; the grass, the uneven terrain, the wind and weather, too much time between shots, playing with other people, and the pressure to perform. Learning golf is a process. It takes time, patience and a lot of experience to play well on the golf course.

Q. "I have been interested in learning how to play golf for years but never seemed to have the time. I would like to take lessons but want to know what questions I should ask of the school/instructor, etc. to be sure that the quality of instruction is well suited to my needs. Any suggestions?"

A. Finding a good golf teacher can be challenging. It's like finding a good lawyer or physician you can trust. You can ask friends for names. Most golf courses and driving ranges employ teachers. If one interests you, call them up and ask a few basic questions about their fees, qualifications, experience, and teaching philosophy. Most will be happy to spend a few minutes sharing this information with you. Once you have narrowed the list, try one lesson to see how it goes. Most lessons will be either 30 minutes or 1-hour long. Chemistry is everything. Most teachers know a lot about the mechanics of the golf swing. Not every teacher has the skill to pass that knowledge on to others. Trust your gut on how things are going. If it goes well and you walk away feeling better about your game, then you may have found someone who can help you. Only sign up for more lessons if you think the relationship has potential for both parties. If you have doubts, sleep on it, you can always call back later. If the first meeting doesn't pan out, try another teacher to compare styles. Remember if you like the teacher, you can learn from them.

The winner of a free private lesson is: Michael of Brooklyn. He sent us this question.

Q. One of the problems I have has to do with my golf swing when teeing off. I'm right handed and have the bad habit of placing too much weight on my right foot when driving the ball. I also have difficulty keeping my left foot straight after completing the swing. Whenever I tee off, most of my weight winds up on my right leg and my left foot tends to turn left instead of remaining stationary. Are there any tips you can provide to eliminate these habits?

A. Spinning out is a very common problem. The fault lies in a lack of weight shift on the back swing. Practice making a full shoulder turn to move most of your weight onto your back (right) foot. When you start the downswing, concentrate on using the legs and hips to transfer your weight back to the front (left) foot. If you don't get the weight moved forward before you swing the club, you will spin out.

Q. I am in the market for a new set of clubs. I am a beginner but have been using the Callaway VFT series drivers and I like them a lot but don't want to spend that much money on my first set of clubs. Is there a beginner brand that feel like Callaways. Or is there a knock-off brand that is like the Callaway clubs.

A. Few clubs feel and work better than Callaways. Consumers benefit from all the marketing and testing conducted by the major manufactures before they offer a new club. Choose equipment that feels well balanced and is forgiving. Knock-offs and brand name beginner clubs are always an option. Depending on how often you practice and play, you may never outgrow them.

Patrice from Highland Falls, New York, has a question about which golf ball to use.

Q. I just recently started to learn the game of golf. I have played a few rounds with several partners and found they each have a preference for the type/brand of golf ball they use. Are different golf balls recommended for beginners as opposed to more advanced players and how important is the choice to the success of a player's game.

A. When it comes to golf balls, the choices seem endless. There are basically two types of golf balls available to players today: Hard balls and soft balls. Hard balls generally cost less than soft balls. Brands like "Pinnacle" can feel hard, produce less backspin and travel farther when hit well. This ball is well priced for new players. Soft balls are known for feel and greater spin rates, making them perfect for putting, chipping, and shaping shots. The "Professional" brand made by Titleist, is a good example of a softer ball at a premium price. Most new players, like yourself, won't be able to feel much difference between the different types of balls available. As your game develops naturally, upgrades in clubs, balls, and other equipment will follow. You would do well to keep the price of golf balls under $20 a dozen for a while. Like with everything else in golf, it's important to trust your judgment when purchasing supplies. A ball that looks and feels good when you putt it, or goes further when you hit it, can become your good luck charm. Precept makes a ladies ball that is inexpensive and very playable. I've played it and like it. Don't be intimidated by all the buzz around golf balls. Make your choice a personal one.

Q. I am a beginner and want to purchase a full set of clubs. My friends say I should buy Pings or Callaways, but I am worried that I will not benefit from expensive clubs. Will I be able to feel the difference between expensive clubs and cheap ones? I am thinking of buying an entry level set for now, then upgrading when I Iower my score to 110. (I currently am at 160 and lose one box of balls per round) How long does it take to shoot 110? I plan to take lessons.

A. You do not need to buy expensive clubs to start golf. Beginner sets are good enough. Depending on how much you play and see improvement, you can always upgrade your clubs in the future. The well known brand name clubs may help you improve faster. Pings and Callaways are expensive, but they are easy to hit and better balanced than entry level clubs. If you can only spend a limited amount of time on your golf, beginner clubs will be all you'll ever need. Remember, good equipment is only part of the story. To break 110, you need to learn proper swing technique.

Q. I've been playing for two years now and every time I get on the course, I change my swing to find something that works. How can I become a more consistent player?

A. Yours is a very real problem for new players. In my experience, it can take between 3-5 years to learn enough technique to achieve the level of consistency you seek. Golf is a sport that only looks easy. Watching good players on TV can be inspiring, but can also raise unrealistic expectations. The best advise I can give is for you to remain patient and practice hard. Give yourself enough time to grow as a golfer. You may be one of those rare individuals who can learn on their own. If not, be sure to get with someone who can provide coaching and the golf drills you need to improve.

John from Pensacola, Florida, where it's always golf weather, is having problems with his driver.

Q. I have been playing golf for over 20 years. I hitting a 15 handicap. (most of the time) My friends all tell me my swing plane is excellent. My ball usually straight with a little draw. I am left handed, My problem is looking at the bottom of my driver, the tee marks are always at a 20-30 degree angle from the square of the club face, as if I'm cutting across the tee. How can I correct this and is this a cause of lack of distance?

Q. Thanks for your answer. I do have a
tendency to come over the top, so your
suggestion to start "from the bottom" is
something I will surely work on.
Might I also ask now, (for) some "mental" or swing tricks I might implement in my swing routine to teach me this move.
Thanks again for the advice.

A. Marks like the ones on your driver would seem to show an outside to inside club path. This would mean that you are contacting the ball with a deflecting blow, which will impart sidespin on the ball, which affects distance. Check to see if the draw you see isn't more of a pull, with the ball following the direction of the marks on the bottom of your club. Most people get the club outside the line by coming over the top; using the arms to start the down swing. Most swing problems are caused when golfers use their arms too much and leave the body out of the swing. Try concentrating on using your lower body to start the down swing. This will slow down your arms and allow them to move down rather than taking the club so far outside the line. Check the divots you make with irons and fairway woods to see if they match the marks on the driver. People usually make the same swing with all the clubs. Things get worse when we press with the driver, looking for extra distance.

A. I think the best way to start getting the club on an inside path is by practicing the following drill in super slow motion. Start at the end of the back swing and move the lower body first to draw the left elbow down to touch your left hip. (right hip for right handed player) Repeat this simple move slowly, over and over, until it sticks; then do it at 1/2 full swing speed to see if you can keep it. This magic move is the one you need to get the club on the correct path.

Tony, who lives in North Carolina, is having problems hitting the ball to the right. Sound familiar?


Q. I've been playing golf for about a year. I'm right handed and my tee shots and iron shots always fade off to the right. I've tried everything, even taking a few lessons, but nothing seems to work. Can you help me?	A. Yours is a very common problem. New players often hit the ball right before they learn how to hit it straight. In my experience, there are two reasons for this: Most new players grip the club too tight. They keep the club face open at impact, pushing the ball off to the right. When the ball curves to the right, it's a slice. A slice is produced when the ball is struck with a deflecting blow which imparts left to right sidespin. It happens because new golfers swing mostly with their arms, trying to hit the ball too hard. This action puts the club on an extreme outside to in swing path. If you slice the ball, look closely at your divots. They point sharply to the left of your target, showing clearly the path that the club is taking through the ball. To remedy a pushed shot, make sure your grip is properly formed. Then concentrate on keeping your grip pressure light during the swing so your hands can deliver a square club face to the ball. Solving a slice takes more work. First you have bring the body into the swing. Taking the club back you must make a full shoulder turn. On the downswing the legs and hips move first, leading the way back to the ball. Make slow motions swings, clear the hips to lead the right elbow (for right handed golfers) to your right hip. This creates an inside to out swing path which is the best way to rid yourself of the slice.

Alex sends in his question from Scotland. He's struggling to keep his eye on the ball.

Q. I am often reminded to keep my eye on the ball at address, and to keep it there for a split second after impact. The problem is, so many things go through my head and I forget this more often than not. When I do it, the shot is perfect. Apart from hypnotism, is there any way to insure that I keep my head down?

A. Good question. One thing you don't want to do is keep your head down AFTER contact with the ball is made. This very common and very bad bit of advice causes more swings problems than it cures. Watching the ball at impact can pay big dividends. A proper head position helps you fully release the lower body and the arms, producing maximum club head speed. That's where distance and ball control come from.

Moving the head is usually caused by swinging too fast with the arms. That makes you slide forward and lose track of the ball.

A good way to remedy this problem is to start with a 9-iron and swing slowly and smoothly, watching the back of the ball until you sense contact. Try and keep the same swing tempo as you work your way through the various clubs. You'll probably reach a critical point when you start losing sight of the ball. That's when you really have to bear down and slow down!

Kevin, a long hitting college student from Chicago, is looking for more distance.

Q. When watching golf on TV, the announcers always talk about how much
the touring professionals work out during the week. I have tried and asked many
questions to fitness trainers but no one has given me a straight answer. My distances
are past most of the professionals but I want to hit the ball farther than the best.
My question is: What is a good work out routine to gain strength and maximize the
muscles that I use in my golf golf swing.

A. More and more golfers are getting and staying fit. Strength does matter. Any player who takes an integrated approach to combining strength and good technique will certainly gain more distance and control over their shots. There is now a very popular pro tour just for long drivers. These competitors are big, strong, and display the same excellent technique and timing as tour players. They are fit, flexible, and work hard to gain the full shoulder turn, weight shift and good balance that are keys to better golf. You might consider contacting The Long Drivers Association Of America for more information about any fitness programs they recommend.

Q. What is the correct ball position for the 3 & 5 fairway woods?

A. I've always taught that the ball placement is the same for fairway woods and irons: 2 to 3 inches from the inside of the lead heel (that's the left foot for right handed golfers) This position helps you to hit down and through the ball. Don't worry, the design of the wood will keep the club from digging into the ground. Catching the ball near the bottom of the swing insures solid contact. Try to avoid helping or scooping the ball up into the air.