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Golf/Questions Answered by Expert Ken Tannar
| Subject | Date Asked |
| how many reps - reference for stats | 2/10/2012 |
| Q: Do you know the scientist (kinesiologist) who made this statement that you quoted: Kinesiology ... A: I'm afraid I can't give you the exact reference. This statistics was cited in a number of different ... | |
| driver stiffness | 2/10/2012 |
| Q: Don't need help with my game. I will tell you the situation. I would like your take on why. Am 63. ... A: Shaft flex does not affect club speed directly. A golfer typically won't swing a more flexible ... | |
| PGA Tour | 2/6/2012 |
| Q: I am a fit 19 year old 13 handicap. My goal is to obtain a spot playing in the PGA Tour. I currently ... A: Glad to hear you have such a lofty goal. Becoming one of the world's best will take a lot of hard, ... | |
| Point of entry | 1/16/2012 |
| Q: If you play a shot over water and hit the Green then roll into the water again Is point of entry ... A: There is always the option of the "stroke and distance" , which in this case would be re-teeing. ... | |
| question | 1/13/2012 |
| Q: when one hits an iron shot, one hits down on the ball, the face of the iron is supposed to pinch ... A: "Pinching the ball against the ground" is not correct. That phrase is actually a way of describing ... | |
| Repetitions for Mastery | 10/26/2011 |
| Q: In learning the different parts of the golf swing, how much practice is required? How many ... A: The challenge in learning the golf swing, is to program the neurons of your brain to fire in the ... | |
| Quota points game | 9/16/2011 |
| Q: We are having a bit of controversy in our group when playing quota points games. We usually end up ... A: If you have low handicappers (like single digits whereas the rest are in their mid to high teens or ... | |
| Quota points game | 9/15/2011 |
| Q: We are having a bit of controversy in our group when playing quota points games. We usually end up ... A: Yes, the foursome would have advantage over the threesomes, unless the points system you are using ... | |
| Quota tournament scoring | 9/8/2011 |
| Q: Our group of 24 has an annual group championship. The prior year winner gets to pick the format ... A: It's common to have negative scoring for bad holes in such a format. Going from +1 to -2, however, ... | |
| illegal pin placements | 7/17/2011 |
| Q: IS there a specific rule where pin placements have to be on some sort of flat green? A: The location of the hole on the putting green is not a matter covered under the Rules of Golf. ... | |
| Spin control | 6/27/2011 |
| Q: I have been playing golf for a few years now and have told I have incredible power by most everyone ... A: You say "I hit the ball very high and just about everything drops and stops." That's fantastic. ... | |
| Which golf ball? | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: I'm a fairly low handicapper (2.6) and usually play Bridgestone e-7 balls. I hit my drives ... A: I'm not aware of a significant difference in the effects of dimple design on various wind ... | |
| Putting from the fringe | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: If a player elects to have the flag removed to putt from the fringe, does he hit first no matter ... A: The order of play is always determined by distance from the hole. The person farthest from the hole ... | |
| golf pairs matchplay | 5/6/2011 |
| Q: can you tell me the ruling on playing the wrong ball in pairs matchplay. I was under the impression ... A: The rules state that in a team matchplay event, only the player that hits the wrong ball is ... | |
| Unplayable lie | 4/11/2011 |
| Q: Recently whilst playing golf I tried cutting the corner on my drive on a dog leg right Par 4 ... A: Yes, you could have declared the ball unplayable. Rule 25 of the rules is very clear. The player ... | |
| Lost ball over woods | 4/9/2011 |
| Q: I was playing a shot dogleg left, first shot landed on the fairway but not a good position, So ... A: Yes, your next shot after hittingyour provisional would be your 5th. The rule is stroke and distance ... | |
| drive distance | 3/20/2011 |
| Q: I am a 66 year old left handed male who has only been playing for about 4 years. I hit a 9 only ... A: Hitting your 9 iron 125 yards is very long compared to your Driver. Hitting your 9 iron between 100 ... | |
| golf shaft momentum transfer | 3/3/2011 |
| Q: On your website (http://probablegolfinstruction.com), you state that the shaft mass does not ... A: Very interesting question. Haven't thought about his issue for a while. When you've been doing some ... | |
| lift clean and place (winter rules) | 1/9/2011 |
| Q: i play a course that has alotta night crawlers. these worms come to the surface at night and leave ... A: With winter rules, you're able to lift, clean and place withing 6 inches (normally) of the original ... | |
| golf question - stroke penalty from tee off and fairway | 12/1/2010 |
| Q: I hit out of bound from tee off and I have to start at 3. From the fairway, I hit out of bound, I ... A: There is no difference between the two. In both cases you add a stroke penalty and lose distance. ... | |
| slecting tee locations for a club with a range of are and handicaps | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: We are an informal travel group of about 40 players: playing weekly at various courses in central ... A: I'm not sure what you mean by a 100 rules (75 years old plus 25 index). How does that allow you to ... | |
| Out of bounds ruling | 9/24/2010 |
| Q: In a match play tournament between two golf clubs my playing partners declares my ball to be in ... A: No, he does not. It would be your playing partners that agree that the ball is in bounds. The only ... | |
| golf with friends | 9/5/2010 |
| Q: can you tell other golfers you are lifting and cleaning when youn are in mud A: Under the Rules of Golf, one cannot clean a ball unless it is on the putting green. Anywhere else, ... | |
| Match Play - Control of Opponent's Ball | 9/4/2010 |
| Q: Ken, I wandered into your site via a google search started by a rules discussion. I hope you can ... A: Yes, I believe the rule changed some time ago. Used to be your could request your opponent (in Match ... | |
| lost ball in a lateral hazard (red stakes) | 9/3/2010 |
| Q: I was reading your answer answer to options when ball is in a lateral hazard. The arguement I have ... A: They would be looking for the ball if it could not be clearly determined that it went into the ... | |
| lost ball in a lateral hazard (red stakes) | 9/2/2010 |
| Q: I was reading your answer answer to options when ball is in a lateral hazard. The arguement I have ... A: As long as your playing partners agree that the ball likely went into the hazard, you don't need to ... | |
| score card | 9/1/2010 |
| Q: partner wrote my incorrect score on say hole 15 as 4 I had correct as marker 6 on my card - we both ... A: The Rules Committee of the competition is responsible for the application of the handicap and the ... | |
| Rabbit scrapes | 8/8/2010 |
| Q: if a player is in rabbit scrapes and has a free drop, if his intended line of flight was also ... A: I'm not familiar with the term "rabbit scrapes." Do you mean rabbit droppings? or burrows? Animal ... | |
| pairing for trip | 8/4/2010 |
| Q: ken, have a trip coming up. 8 guys 7 rounds. We play 4-ball. Seems to me with the number of ... A: I don't think your assumptions are correct. I can provide you with a draw that minimizes the number ... | |
| GOLF | 7/29/2010 |
| Q: is it legal to mark a golf ball on the green with chalk? A: The rules of golf state: The line of putt must not be touched except: (i) the player may remove ... | |
| Golf Ball spin | 7/24/2010 |
| Q: My question concern the ball spin during the flight. As we know golf ball which is hitted straight ... A: The ball actually only has one spin, but the axis about which it spins is tilted. If the ball only ... | |
| bogey | 7/16/2010 |
| Q: I am somewhat ignorant about golf. If I read in the newspaper that a golf player hit a “bogey” did ... A: A very good golfer will score an average of par on every hole. A bogey is one stroke worse than par. ... | |
| Left vrs Right | 7/11/2010 |
| Q: I am Mr Patrick . Hi - I've always had a problem with why I am a left handed golfer and how the left ... A: I'm not sure of the origin of the designation of left or right swinger. It was probably from another ... | |
| clubhead speed vs launch angle vs distance | 6/29/2010 |
| Q: I recently got fitted for new clubs and had club head speed measured. My 6-iron came in at 87 mph. ... A: Sounds like you hit the ball very much like myself, distance wise and trajectory wise. Your swing ... | |
| Lost ball from Tee | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: My drive goes into rough from Tee. I play a provisional ball into the fairway. I then cannot find my ... A: As soon as you deem your original ball lost, it is lost. If you had not deemed it lost, and you had ... | |
| golf scoring | 5/8/2010 |
| Q: What is the highest score a golfer can take on a hole if their handicap is between 15-20? A: I assume you mean what is the highest score they can count on a given hole for handicap purposes. ... | |
| different tee handicapping | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: When playing 2 man team events (even fun events such as scramble and shamble) should both players be ... A: You're right! Even though the slope/rating system is not perfect, it should be enough to accommodate ... | |
| Working out Doubles pairings | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: I hope you can help please. Our golf club is holding a doubles competition. We have 17 pairs. How ... A: since you have an odd number of pairs, you'll need to give one pair a bye into the 2nd round. Make ... | |
| putting rule? | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: If two balls are on the green,the furthest away putts first,right?if the other players ball is not ... A: There are two sets of rules. One for stroke play and one for match play. In stroke play, every shot ... | |
| Changed Irons | 4/5/2010 |
| Q: i recently changed my irons from McGregor Tourneys to the new Taylormade R9 Irons. The McGregor's ... A: Firstly, ensure you are aligning properly. This was one of the topics of my latest newsletter: ... | |
| poor loft with 10.5 degree driver | 4/4/2010 |
| Q: i hit the ball reasonably well with distance but i am have difficulty maintaining height with most ... A: If you're hitting it quite low with your driver, then you could probably get more distance with a ... | |
| shaft angle/high,low hands? | 3/31/2010 |
| Q: Hanging your arms relaxed and naturally down at address seems to be the best advice from everything ... A: There is a type of swing that's being taught as a result of great Canadian golfer Moe Norman, said ... | |
| swing muscles | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: Can you tell me which muscles control the swing from take away to finish. i am not asking for names ... A: I wouldn't say any group of muscles controls the swing from start to finish. The muscle groups work ... | |
| Checking card for par event | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: Vice captain. Checking a card for a par event and some holes had no stroke score but they had a ... A: It is my understanding that the hole score is the requirement. A player is not required to perform ... | |
| 40-50 yards in swing problem | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: I seem to have a problem sometimes that my right arm (I am right hander) doesn't want to swing ... A: A drill I like to use is to place a tee (sticking up out of the ground) about 2 inches in front of ... | |
| Water hazard | 2/16/2010 |
| Q: We recently had a lot of rain which filled a lake on my course past the stakes and lines which ... A: A ball is deemed to be in a hazard if any part of the ball touches the hazard. The boundary of the ... | |
| incorrect points - stableford | 2/12/2010 |
| Q: Yesterday,in our weekly stableford competition, one of our players signed for an incorrect score. ... A: I believe you were correct in not disqualifying him. A player is responsible for recording his ... | |
| pitching to a raised putting surface | 2/5/2010 |
| Q: Let's say you are hitting a 25 yard pitch to a green which is raised up by 15 feet above the ball. ... A: No, it's not because of less spin. It's because of the lower angle of trajectory at impact. Read my ... | |
| shaft x 6.0 flighted | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: Play Pro Gold Adams flighted x6.0 with 4 hcap. When fit for irons professionally I could feel the ... A: Usually, the kick at the bottom is due to a combination of swing weight, shaft flex and location of ... | |
| Swing plane angle | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: Greetings. I seek assistance with formulating an equation for determining the angle of the swing ... A: This is something I could help you with but I don't have the answer. I'd need to do some analysis. ... | |
| Hitting another players provisional ball | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: What is the rule if I hit another players provisional ball. My friend hit a questionable drive, so ... A: So sorry. You hit the wrong ball. You're responsible for identifying the ball that you're playing at ... | |
| shoulder tilt vs turn | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: I tend to tilt my shoulders back and through rather than turning/rotating them. Causes a push or ... A: Not exactly sure what you mean by tilting the shoulders. You can't really move your arms back and ... | |
| Size and COR | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I saw a response that you made to an individual that a smaller driver will be shorter distance wise ... A: I can't recall the specific research paper that I read on this topic. A larger driver face can be ... | |
| mathmatics of Golf | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I am very very new to Golf Handicap systems. However, it seems to me that the handicap system ... A: Great questions and great hypotheses. If a player's handicap was an "average" (arithmetic mean) of ... | |
| handicapped event from multiple tees | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: In a handicapped match between 2 players who are using different tees, the handicap manual ... A: Good question. The higher handicapper is not receiving too many strokes. A player’s Course Handicap ... | |
| practice | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: I've been using my 9 iron to practice, and I've been getting my hands up to my waist, and then to my ... A: Yes, this would be a good drill for you using longer clubs as well. The drill is great for improving ... | |
| swing | 1/1/2010 |
| Q: I went to one of those indoor ranges, and although I felt like i was swinging pretty well, it seems ... A: It depends how the indoor range measures the ball dynamics. It's hard to know. If the shots felt ... | |
| sliding | 11/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a terrible problem sliding off the ball in the backswing and then sliding through. Please ... A: By sliding off the ball, I assume you mean your body moving laterally away from the target on the ... | |
| golf ball dimples | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: How do the size and amount of dimples on a golf ball affect how far it goes? A: Dimples alter the flow of air around the golf ball in such a way that drag resistance is reduced. A ... | |
| Scorecard disqualification | 10/22/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to clear up what is needed to be shown on the scorecard for it to be deemed valid, i.e. ... A: What's required depends on the tournament committee guidelines. In most cases, what's required is ... | |
| Mixed 4BBB matchplay | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: In a mixed 4BBB matchplay match, which stroke index should be used when taking your shots. Some ... A: Although it wouldn't make a great difference which handicap you played off, it's fairest to take ... | |
| maths | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: hey i have a question based on golf want to ask the following questions To produce models ... A: Models of the ball flights have been produced to: 1. Experiment with different golf ball designs. 2. ... | |
| single length clubs | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: you said that one could purchase single length golf irons on your website for 300.00, where are ... A: Use this link to go to the 1-iron Website: http://www.1irongolf.com/?10504 Click on Product Catalog ... | |
| hybrid clubs | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: where to position ball using #4 hybrid A: With all full swings from the grass, the ball position should correspond to the point about an inch ... | |
| golf course ratings | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: Can you explain the ratings assigned to the different tees at various golf courses? Example: my ... A: The two measures of difficulty of a golf course are distance and hazards, the primary being ... | |
| Backspin | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: When i watch the pga tour on tv i see players hit bals that land on the green and sometimes have 10 ... A: To get a lot of backspin, you need to do the following: 1. Hit down on the golf ball with a ... | |
| Golf Adress | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a prostaff set and a 60 degree lob wedge. I was wondering how far away my hands should be ... A: Your ideal position should be where your arms hang naturally due to being pulled by the Earth's ... | |
| Senior PGA Thailand | 8/18/2009 |
| Q: Are PGA's run independently, or is there a governing body that polices PGA Policy? I ask this ... A: Yes, the PGA Tour is run independently by the PGA Tour. If you're wanting to qualify, you'll need to ... | |
| alignment | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: You've helped me before ; thanks. I've been practicing using two sticks on the ground and a spot ... A: It would be great to use just the left or both. If you're a right handed swinger, it's the left ... | |
| putting | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: When I line up my putt from behind the ball and have a line going on target it looks fine. When I ... A: It's very common, when aligned properly, to feel as if you're aligned quite a ways left. That's why ... | |
| downswing | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: im having trouble with my transition from the backswing to the downswing i was wondering if you have ... A: The transition between backswing to forward swing is one of the most important parts. It must be one ... | |
| Golf swing | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: When i play golf i seem to hit alot of low line drives my friends and family say that i pick up but ... A: Firstly, try changing your ball position so that it is farther back in your stance by and inch or ... | |
| Searching for a lost ball | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: If a player thinks his ball is lost - from a tee shot or in open play - does he have to search for ... A: To clarify, there is a penalty for playing a 2nd ball. In most cases it's advantageous to find and ... | |
| Searching for a lost ball | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: If a player thinks his ball is lost - from a tee shot or in open play - does he have to search for ... A: No, the player does not need to search for the ball. He can drop another ball and hit it from the ... | |
| clubs | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: just aquired a used set of irons, ping zing 2s, $160 including a set of 3 Nakashimas, NP1 Driver and ... A: Ping Zing 2s are good irons. Not familiar with the Nakashimas. The most important part of the irons ... | |
| pin placement | 6/30/2009 |
| Q: is it illegal if around the pin there is not a 3 foot radius of flat ground? A: Not sure what the specific rule is here. Take a look at the usga rules: ... | |
| Golf Scorecard (4BBB S/ford) | 6/28/2009 |
| Q: on Saturday myself and my partner carded a 4BBB s/ford score of 43 points (off 3/4 handicap), on one ... A: It's my understanding that the player is responsible for the hole by hole score, and not the ... | |
| yardages | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: If the tee box is in the back of the teeing area, and the flag is in the back of the green, the ... A: It's standard for a golf course to alternate tee boxes and pin positions. Usually, if the tee box is ... | |
| golf balls | 5/15/2009 |
| Q: What is the best ball for a swing speed of 82 to 90 A: The best golf ball does not really depend on swing speed, unless your swing speed is much higher or ... | |
| Grip solvent | 5/5/2009 |
| Q: My question is. What is grip solvent, is it specific for golf, or, can i buy it in any hardware ... A: One uses grip solvent to remove a grip from the shaft. It breaks down the adhesive grip (two sided ... | |
| scheduling | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: Have a 20 team league which plays 20 weeks. 10 weeks on the front 10 on the back. Every team always ... A: I would think it is avoidable. Would need to have more details, though. Such as, I assume the team ... | |
| loft on the driver | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: I have a 460cc 13.5 degree driver and i hit it about 240 250 on average. I have been told that that ... A: Distance depends on clubhead speed as well as the effective loft of the club. The effective loft is ... | |
| strong grip | 4/22/2009 |
| Q: WHy does a strong grip promote a draw? I would think a weak grip would promote a draw since the ... A: When swinging a club, it is natural for the back of the left hand (right handed swinger) to return ... | |
| lift clean and place play | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: Does lift plac and clean play exists A: Yes, under certain conditions, the "lift, clean and place" rule can be invoked by a golf course ... | |
| Handicaps. 4 ball handicap match play. | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: We had our qualifying round for our 4 ball handicap match play champs. We qualifyed No1. Do we play ... A: It would depend on the rules of your club. Check it out with the rules committee to be sure. I ... | |
| Must you mark the ball on the green | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: Skip answered quite well that a player can ask you to mark your ball on the green at any time. My ... A: Your situation is handled by Rule 22-2. See the rules online here: ... | |
| Golf Balls | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: 1. Is there a "shelf life" for golf balls. If in their original wrapping and in comfortable ... A: As long as balls are stored in moderate, dry, temperatures (50-80 F), they will perform well years ... | |
| Lateral Hazard no water | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: A par four has red stakes up the right side along the tree line. 30 yards behind the red stakes is a ... A: Usually, when a golf course has red stakes down the side of a hole which has a boundary, the purpose ... | |
| Over the top | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: I can even see my practice swings are ott. And even small chip shots have a deep divot pointing ... A: You're part of a club that has many, many members. Swinging out to in is the most common swing ... | |
| Wrist Support | 3/3/2009 |
| Q: I have what could only be defined as an arthritic wrist and right thumb. The pain at ball impact ... A: Braces of this type are generally not permitted under Rule 14-3. However, personal handicap items ... | |
| matchplay srokes | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: me and 3 mates are playing matchball one guy is on scratch he gives one guy 2 strokes and the other ... A: In most cases it's fairer for everyone to get their strokes according to their cap and hole ... | |
| Ben Hogan | 2/21/2009 |
| Q: "the arms and hands should feel absolutely loaded with power" My question is do other pros feel this ... A: I think what Ben Hogan meant by this is that the wrists and hands are fully cocked during the first ... | |
| Golf | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: What is the ruling when a ball is plygged within a hazzard wheras the ball lies between the water ... A: As long as the ball lies within the red stakes, the player has the option of either playing the ball ... | |
| ruling on overhead power cables | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: IF A BALL HITS OVERHEAD POWER LINES WHAT IS THE RULING IF THE BALL GOES OUT OF BOUNDS BY IT OR YOU ... A: If a ball strikes an elevated power line or cable, the stroke must be canceled and replayed, without ... | |
| balls | 12/28/2008 |
| Q: Is there a way to tell if "used" balls are ok to play? they look shiny like new ones. How can you ... A: Most balls on the market today or very durable and long lasting. If the cover doesn't have any ... | |
| Shaft Flex | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: I've been playing golf since my early teens. I'm 62. I played weekly and down to a 7 handicap until ... A: Welcome back to the game. Hopefully your back won't give you major problems as you head into your ... | |
| Handicapping | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: Can one designate a round as a practice round. Does the USGA handicapping system permit this, ... A: By a practice round, are you meaning one that does not count towards calculating your handicap ... | |
| Bend clubs or cut length | 11/8/2008 |
| Q: I have a set of Titleist AP1. They are 2*Down. I was told that I was standing to upright. So I bent ... A: Shortening your irons by 1/2 inch will change the lie angle by 1 to 1.5 degrees. What I would try ... | |
| Entering The Open | 11/3/2008 |
| Q: I was recently thinking about entering the Brittish Open Championship. Can you tell me the ways an ... A: The 2009 Open will be held at Turnberry, Scotland, the site of the dualing match between Nicklaus ... | |
| Out to In | 11/1/2008 |
| Q: Off tee with a driver and occasionally from the fairway I make an out to in swing. what can I be ... A: If you swing out to in from the fairway, then you likely have an out to in swing most of the time. ... | |
| guidelines for green pin placements | 10/30/2008 |
| Q: Ken..I understand the guides for pin location relative to edge of the green, but we all have ... A: Great questions. I think you'll find all of your answers by reading this very informative article: ... | |
| ball contact on club face | 10/25/2008 |
| Q: What is the cause and solution(s) for ball contact on the club face which is consistently toward the ... A: No one cause. Can't be sure without seeing your swing. Hitting it on the toe generally indicates ... | |
| Golf Range Distance | 10/23/2008 |
| Q: Our club recently constructed a driving range on a sloped area. (I am a professional engineer in ... A: I'm not aware of any USGA adjustment for steep slopes. Try checking their site, www.usga.org. Take ... | |
| waterwell | 10/20/2008 |
| Q: When he teed off his ball rolled and landed in a waterwell. So i was wondering since he had to play ... A: I would think the water well would be considered an immovable obstruction and you would get free ... | |
| golf | 10/17/2008 |
| Q: what does distance from the green mean in golf: in my sheet there is a statement saying: tom asked ... A: When a golfer gets his/her ball close enough to the green that it's possible to hit the ball onto ... | |
| science fair experiment on golf | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: I need to choose a topic for science fair and I know that I want to do it about golf. Last year I ... A: To measure bounce height, you have someone help you. Get them to drop the ball and you estimate the ... | |
| science fair experiment on golf | 10/15/2008 |
| Q: I need to choose a topic for science fair and I know that I want to do it about golf. Last year I ... A: You could do a drop ball test and see how that relates to the distances you found in your last ... | |
| how i can relate a normal golf shot to math | 10/8/2008 |
| Q: how can i relate a normal golf shot to math from pwedge to driver A: Check out my site, www.probablegolfinstruction.com There's tons of math in golf. Search through my ... | |
| Golf Backswing | 9/24/2008 |
| Q: He has a huge rotation of the torso. I was wondering what allows this rotation? I know hes really ... A: I would think it's the elasticity of the muscles the enables John to rotate so much. Some people ... | |
| Golf | 9/23/2008 |
| Q: Ive been having trouble with my golf grip. When i swing my hands lose their position on the grip. ... A: If you look at Vijay Singh, his right hands basically comes off the grip at impact. Most players, ... | |
| Driver fitting | 9/23/2008 |
| Q: Ken: I am a 60 year old with a 9 hdcp. My flexibility is reduced with age, and my swing speed ... A: Most golfers use driver lofts that are too low to maximize distance. Total distance, however, ... | |
| Mizunu or Callaway | 9/16/2008 |
| Q: What is the difference between 'game improvement clubs' and a normal set. Also what would be the ... A: "Game improvement club" is a very broad term given to any golf club or clubhead that is designed to ... | |
| shaft angle at address | 9/11/2008 |
| Q: I have noticed by looking at pictures of expert players ,that at address the left forearm is almost ... A: Most good players' ball positions with their shorter irons are farther back than their longer irons. ... | |
| Golf | 9/8/2008 |
| Q: I personally have only hit around 10 golf shots in my life absolutely perfectly. These shots were ... A: A very tough question. Firstly, I think his statement refers to the feeling he had as the wrists ... | |
| Shutdown of golf swing - fatigue? | 9/4/2008 |
| Q: I have been checking various websites, and I'm not alone on this. After about 45-60 minutes of ... A: Firstly, do you ever shank the ball on the course. If the answer is yes, then there must be a swing ... | |
| Frequency of calculating handicaps | 8/20/2008 |
| Q: I belong to a Women's Nine Hole course league. Currently I enter scores, calculate handicaps, print ... A: The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is laid out as: "Two basic premises underlie the USGA ... | |
| lost ball | 8/13/2008 |
| Q: In tournament play and opponent hit her ball, could not find it so hit another ball and was going to ... A: If she hit another ball, then she put a new ball in play and would be penalized stroke and distance ... | |
| USGA rule on how to properly mark ball | 8/13/2008 |
| Q: Can a player mark his ball on the green by putting the ball marker to the side of the ball and not ... A: The Rules of Golf do not specify that the object used to mark the position of a ball must be of a ... | |
| Hitting a Draw | 8/7/2008 |
| Q: I'm a left hand golfer. I cannot hit a draw or a hook I have tried different methods suggested in ... A: Not hitting a draw or hook means the clubface is not being released earlier enough through the ... | |
| driver | 8/1/2008 |
| Q: what is the life of a driver...how many hits? A: Face fatigue was a problem when titanium was first introduced, but it's no longer an issue with most ... | |
| calaway x20 irons | 7/30/2008 |
| Q: Which is. I was wondering what i could do to my irons (lie, angle) to feel even more comfortable ... A: The lie of your clubs mainly depends on how high your hands hang above the ground. The toe of the ... | |
| Golf | 7/30/2008 |
| Q: Bobby jones says the hips turn immediatly throughout the backswing. Ben Hogan says the hips dont ... A: Our bodies are all a little different when it comes to flexibility. The key to a good golf swing is ... | |
| bunkers | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: If a player brings a club into a bunker must he use that club to take his shot or can he exit the ... A: According to the rules, he's not committed to using any club. He can exit the bunker and select ... | |
| Golf Draw | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: G,Day Ken, I have 20 players,5 groups of 4 over 5 days. Can you construct a draw, so that each ... A: I provide such draws from my website. Take a look here: ... | |
| marking on the green (ball) | 7/24/2008 |
| Q: can an opponent or other player mark you ball without permission. e.g. i have known people to mark ... A: An opponent cannot mark your ball without your permission. If a player does, he/she will incur a ... | |
| score card | 7/23/2008 |
| Q: played in a 4ball b/ball s/ford when match over my partner went to sign the card and noted only ... A: According to the rules of golf, the player is responsible for recording his/her correct gross score ... | |
| Golf | 7/19/2008 |
| Q: Does the ball start low and rise or does it rise at a constant. I have seen my local pro hitting a ... A: Some very good questions. With a Driver, the ball starts out with a trajectory of about 12 degrees ... | |
| ping eye 2 | 7/10/2008 |
| Q: ijust aquired a set of ping eye 2 red dot clubs.my normal tendency is to hit the ball left. would ... A: The only difference is the lie of the club, which is the angle between the sole of the club and the ... | |
| Golf | 7/5/2008 |
| Q: The ball whistled in flight and the divot was dollar bill sized pointing slightly to the right. At ... A: Here are some things to try so as to "ignore" the ball. 1. Focus on a point an inch or so in front ... | |
| liquid golf ball centers | 6/30/2008 |
| Q: I recently got a hold of some used golf balls. Is there a way to tell if a golf ball has a liquid ... A: Very few golf balls these days have a liquid center. Most are solid centers. I'm not aware of any ... | |
| Driving yardage | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: i am new to the game and trying to work out if i am above or below average with my hitting ... A: The yardages listed in the chart below show a range for average amateurs, both male and female. As ... | |
| gold tees | 6/25/2008 |
| Q: A what age are you considered eligible to hit from the gold tees? One answer said "senior" is that ... A: Actually, you can hit from whatever tees you like at any time. All tees are rated so you can acquire ... | |
| how to set up a league schedule | 6/24/2008 |
| Q: I have 10 three man teams that will play for 12 weeks please set up a schedule. Each team will play ... A: Please visit this page on my website: http://www.probablegolfinstruction.com/tournament_pairings.htm ... | |
| Which iron should I buy | 6/8/2008 |
| Q: Hey, I am about to purchase some new clubs and would like your input. I think I have decided to get ... A: I'm not familiar with the difference between the 2007 and 2008 models. Here is some advice on buying ... | |
| swing speed | 6/3/2008 |
| Q: do lighter clubs swing faster than heavy ones A: In general, lighter clubs will swing faster than heavy ones. It does depend, however, on the ... | |
| Kick Points on clubs | 5/26/2008 |
| Q: Ken, does a low kick point make you hit the ball higher or lower than a high kick point. I have ... A: A high kick point will hit the ball higher. A high kick point enables the club to get farther in ... | |
| SHORTENING THE SHAT ON THE #3 WOOD | 5/25/2008 |
| Q: I asked you a question previously and your suggestion regarding backspin seems to be working ... A: Shorter clubs are easier to hit. You will hit more solid golf shots with shorter clubs. Cutting ... | |
| SHORTENING THE SHAT ON THE #3 WOOD | 5/25/2008 |
| Q: I asked you a question previously and your suggestion regarding backspin seems to be working ... A: Swing weight is a measure of the distribution of weight between the club and the shaft. If you cut ... | |
| grooves? | 5/20/2008 |
| Q: Which groove will consistently give me the best strike? ANSWER: Hi Tarran, The USGA recently ... A: You won't hit on the lower grooves unless you hit the ball thin. You'll hit on the upper grooves if ... | |
| grooves? | 5/20/2008 |
| Q: Which groove will consistently give me the best strike? A: The USGA recently published a 300 page study on grooves; they confirmed that from the fairway with ... | |
| Want to learn how to play golf. | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: I have never played golf but want to learn what do I need to do? ANSWER: Hi Steve, Welcome to the ... A: No particular brand to recommend. You might want to visit a golf shop. They sometimes have bins of ... | |
| Want to learn how to play golf. | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: I have never played golf but want to learn what do I need to do? ANSWER: Hi Steve, Welcome to the ... A: No, standard clubs some with shafts that differ in length, the lower lofted irons being longer. The ... | |
| Want to learn how to play golf. | 4/26/2008 |
| Q: I have never played golf but want to learn what do I need to do? A: Welcome to the game. I'd recommend you do some major reading about the golf swing and the game. I'd ... | |
| golf question | 4/21/2008 |
| Q: Puting on a small tournament, the question come up if you hit your ball in the woods and you find ... A: Sometimes, tournaments will modify the rules of golf to speed up play, especially if many of the ... | |
| foursomes draw | 3/31/2008 |
| Q: Twelve of us are going to play five rounds of foursome golf. Is there a draw that minimises the ... A: Such draws are a service that I provide from my website. You can obtain such a draw in an MS Excel ... | |
| ball's speed | 3/29/2008 |
| Q: i would like to know what is the mathematic's formule to know the ball's speed when a golfer hits ... A: The ball speed depends on the club speed, club loft and COR (coefficient of restitution. For today's ... | |
| One Club Wind | 3/24/2008 |
| Q: How much wind is a 1 club, 2 club ect.? ANSWER: Hi Reson, It depends on whether you're into the ... A: A general rule you could use is for every 10 mph wind, the ball plays about 4 yards shorter into the ... | |
| Golf | 3/13/2008 |
| Q: I hit the ball really really well unlike ever before. it was a compleatly different feeling during ... A: Very interesting. There could be a number of reasons why you heard the weird sound. I could be due ... | |
| dumdfounded | 3/7/2008 |
| Q: I am currently trending a 2.3index,Im right handed 6'1 265 currently got fitted for some r7 tps ... A: So, we're about the same index. I go through my periods of not hitting the ball as far as normal. ... | |
| spin and lift | 2/17/2008 |
| Q: many discussions concerning spin and lift of a golf ball which I disagree with. many say that at a ... A: What's very different about the golf ball, however, is it has a very small surface area to mass ... | |
| spin and lift | 2/16/2008 |
| Q: many discussions concerning spin and lift of a golf ball which I disagree with. many say that at a ... A: You're right that the air flowing over the top of the object must be faster to create lift. If a ... | |
| conisitenty | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: Well today i went to play golf and i could not have a consistent shot today and i don't know how to ... A: That is the one thing that alludes all golfers: consistency (even Tiger Woods). How well you play ... | |
| slicing | 1/22/2008 |
| Q: could you give me some tips to stop slicing the ball Thanks, Alex A: Again, since I can't see you swing, I can only speculate. However, most golfers do slice and most ... | |
| hitting it higher | 1/22/2008 |
| Q: well the problem is that i can not get it high enough like i want it so could you help me out. ... A: For your Driver, it's likely that the loft is not great enough for your swing speed. Most golfers ... | |
| Custom Steel Shafts | 1/10/2008 |
| Q: Ken, I have a couple of questions regarding custom steel shafts. I am currently hitting Cleveland ... A: The lie of clubs will flatten when swung because the shaft bends near impact. If the toe of the club ... | |
| Driver Teeing Up and swing tip | 12/14/2007 |
| Q: Recently changed my driver to a higher loft 12 Degree 460 Hex / square driver to try and improve my ... A: Great that you've switched to a higher loft driver and gained more distance. Most golfers use ... | |
| feeling clubhead | 11/30/2007 |
| Q: i have a feeling i am going to finally get the ans. no one can give me.....i try ... A: If you can't feel the clubhead, it's probably because the swingweight of the club is too light for ... | |
| ball velocity | 11/30/2007 |
| Q: Is there a difference in ball velocity if hit by a club face moving at 90 mph at contact and ... A: Scientists did an experiment years ago which is published in the book, "Search for the Perfect ... | |
| Top Club & Ball Speed | 11/29/2007 |
| Q: im interested in knowing what the top speed is (by the average pro) of both the club speed while ... A: The longer hitting pros (like Tiger Woods and John Daly) have club speeds of around 115-125 mph. The ... | |
| Golf ball manufacturers | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: Can you tell me how many golf ball manufacturers there are? There are many brands, but I have been ... A: Sorry, I don't know how many there are. I do know that different companies get their balls made at ... | |
| ball velocity | 11/27/2007 |
| Q: Is there a difference in ball velocity if hit by a club face moving at 90 mph at contact and ... A: There would not be an appreciable difference in the speed of the ball unless the acceleration amount ... | |
| clubs | 10/29/2007 |
| Q: I have been out of the game for about four years..airline pilot. Anyway, economy aside.\, looking ... A: Yes, I believe Karstan was ahead of his time. His concept of perimeter weighting is now integrated ... | |
| lift, clean and place | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: What is the meaning of the term "lift, clean and place"? A: Under the normal rules of golf, the golfer must always play the ball as it lies without making any ... | |
| golf | 10/24/2007 |
| Q: I have 18 couples that need to play each other in 17 weeks. with no repeats, could someone help me ... A: It's not possible to produce a draw without any repeats. I could devise a draw that minimizes the ... | |
| Rifle Shaft Question | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: I have been using Rifle shafts for years now and have been very happy with them. I am also 52 years ... A: The 5.0 and 5.5 values are related to the frequency with which the shaft will freely vibrate when ... | |
| Over Top | 10/20/2007 |
| Q: I have only golfed once and I love it. I have one major problem.... It seems that on my drives I am ... A: Welcome to the game. Your problem is a major one for beginning golfers. It stems mainly from making ... | |
| Driving Distance as it relates to left or right side spin | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: I am a right handed 14 Handicap golfer. I am working on improving my Driving Distance and I realize ... A: It depends on the firmness on the ground. A fade will have greater backspin and thus a longer flight ... | |
| Driver or Hybrid? | 9/18/2007 |
| Q: I have a Cobra Baffler 20° (stiff shaft) that I hit consistently about 240 off the tee with a draw. ... A: You have no problems with distance. You need control and consistency. The longer the club, the ... | |
| Driver issue | 9/17/2007 |
| Q: I play off seven and hit fairly straight, slight fade. I have had my Woods, Taylor Made burner ... A: Since you hit a slight fade to begin with, it's not surprising that your driver could develop a ... | |
| 16 man golf trip | 9/14/2007 |
| Q: we have 16 players over 7 rounds. we would like to have different partners each day, but be able to ... A: I can help you out with your draw. Take a look at this page: ... | |
| Ball Placement | 9/4/2007 |
| Q: I have 3,4, & 5 hybrids. Should the ball placement be dead center or slightly forward when I using ... A: These clubs should be played just like your irons. My advice is keep the ball position the same for ... | |
| high ball flight | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: I always have had a very high ball flight. Im a 9 handicapp now but i feel like i could score better ... A: High ball flight is a result of a steep angle of attack (you have a very steep swing plane with ... | |
| chips and pitches | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: What is the basic difference between a pitch and a chip ? Is a long chip distinctly different from ... A: A chip is typically a short shot where the ball is on the fringe (also called apron) of the green. ... | |
| Pulling | 7/27/2007 |
| Q: I am a 12-14 handicap. I hit the ball solidly most of the time, but lately I have been pulling my ... A: Firstly, ensure you are aligned correctly. Visit this page for alignment process: ... | |
| golf schuedle | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: we have a group of 20 individuals who play a tourney every week. 5 four man teams compete against ... A: I'm not sure what you're looking for here. Do the teams change? Do you want the players to move as ... | |
| putting order | 6/16/2007 |
| Q: once a player starts to putt, does he have the right to putt out after missing his first putt A: Yes, he has the right to hole out after his first putt. Standard etiquette however would deter him ... | |
| Signed the wrong score (more than actual) | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: on saturday i was playin in a medal and for some reason the guy markin my card made so many errors ... A: If the round was in an official tournament, that score stands for the tournament. Had you actually ... | |
| handicap | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: so for the month of june my handicap is 28.5. but yet when i play i migh only be around 5 or 6 over ... A: Your handicap is based on your last 10 best scores out of 20. It might be that some of those still ... | |
| Golf Tournament Format | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: I help host a charity tournament each year; scramble format. This year we wanted to offer a twist ... A: No, sorry, I don't know the name of the format. It might be something like "Scramble the tees" or ... | |
| left foot | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: I am 65 and have recently started playing golf. I am not doing too bad but my big problem is my left ... A: Often golfers will swing a little differently when hitting the ball than in their practice swings; ... | |
| Lost Ball off Tee | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I understand about stroke & distance for a "regular" lost ball off the tee, but does this rule also ... A: No, the lateral hazard situation is quite different. Firstly, after hitting your shot, if you think ... | |
| Descending Weighted shafts! | 5/13/2007 |
| Q: What is the pro or cons of a descending weighted shaft ( Black Gold) compared to a constant weighted ... A: It's my understanding that descending weight design means that the shafts get progressively lighter ... | |
| erratic drives | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: Ken, For the first 4 seasons of golf I played, I always had a mild slice which I could play, but ... A: It's hard to tell why you're hitting low stingers without first seeing your swing. In terms of what ... | |
| flex/distance | 3/23/2007 |
| Q: I'm 72 and have had physical problems that have prevented me from playing much for the last 3 years. ... A: Less shaft flex won't give you significantly more clubhead speed and thus distance; more flexible ... | |
| too low | 3/13/2007 |
| Q: I hit all of my shots like a low stinger and they never stay on the green, how do i fix this A: Sorry for the tardy response. I've been on the road. It's hard to tell why you're hitting low ... | |
| Distance/Equipment | 3/7/2007 |
| Q: Any input on this issue would be appreciated. Me: 40, 5'10", in good health, play twice a week and ... A: You're not going to realize much more distance with an R7. There haven't been any significant ... | |
| Grooves | 3/7/2007 |
| Q: how are you doing? Today I was playing golf and I hit a few shots with my wedges and I can never to ... A: Keeping the clubface clean won't give the ball much more backspin, unless the face was coated with ... | |
| pitching and chipping | 3/2/2007 |
| Q: I'm not sure I know the difference. In my mind, I figure that anytime I bring the club back to the ... A: A pitch shot trajectory is high; the ball travels most of its journey through the air and doesn't ... | |
| Wood Irons | 1/30/2007 |
| Q: When you use wood irons, do you still take a divot like you would with regular irons? A: Yes, there should still be a divot with a wood iron (or hybrid). For every club except the driver ... | |
| Golf Draw | 1/25/2007 |
| Q: Ken, I noticed you had some questions on rounds and foursomes in the past. Can you put together a ... A: Yes, I can provide you with a template for 20 players and six rounds. However, it's not ... | |
| cold weather | 1/25/2007 |
| Q: Is there a rule of thumb as to the amount of distance lost as the weather gets to 50 deg., 40 deg. ... A: Every 6 degrees Farhenheit warmer yields an additional yard of carry OR you get an additional 1.6 ... | |
| weight transfer | 1/17/2007 |
| Q: Ken I had a friend check out my swing.I can hit fairly hard and straight,but he said I need to ... A: Yes, part of your weight should transfer to the back foot on the downswing so that you have about ... | |
| Which ball to use | 1/10/2007 |
| Q: My son has a club head speed of 94 mph. Please recommend which ball best suits this speed. A: On my website, www.probablegolfinstruction.com , I always advocate using a ball which increases feel ... | |
| Irons | 1/8/2007 |
| Q: what is the standard length for irons A: There are no industry-wide standards for any golf club specification in the golf equipment industry. ... | |
| weather conditions effecting distance of golf ball | 1/6/2007 |
| Q: A few years back an engineer friend told me there was a German formuly that explained why a golf ... A: Your friend is correct. As humidity increases, air density decreases. Less dense air creates less ... | |
| getting the right flex in shafts | 1/3/2007 |
| Q: I have hit steal stiff shaft clubs since I started playing golf 15 years ago. I have learned to ... A: Today's graphite shafts don't twist as much as yesterday's, meaning that they can perform about as ... | |
| grip | 12/26/2006 |
| Q: I have a question regarding the golf grip.I have been playing for awhile now and got my handicap to ... A: Yes, you have a very strong grip. Given this strong grip, you must have made other compensations in ... | |
| Picture | 12/19/2006 |
| Q: I started this year to play golf, so I am not so experienced as you can see. My question is this, ... A: There are lots of different positions of the various parts of the body just before impact. The good ... | |
| Driver size | 12/18/2006 |
| Q: I am a 3 handicap with swing speed of about 105 mph. I just moved from a 450 cc head down to a 400cc ... A: Yes, you will lose distance as the head becomes smaller for the following reasons: (which assume the ... | |
| golf shafts | 12/10/2006 |
| Q: What are the best kind of shaft for a beginner? What is the best kind of shaft for a well-rounded ... A: The type of shaft really depends on your clubhead speed. The faster you swing, the more stiff of a ... | |
| Golf Questions | 11/29/2006 |
| Q: how are you doing? I have a few questions that I hope that you can help me with. I play with old ... A: If the used golf balls have been in water for more than a few days, they will travel a significantly ... | |
| swing circle | 11/24/2006 |
| Q: Maybe you can help me out here. I liked your response to the question from bobby about being ... A: The advice about taking the club straight back is to counter what many golfers do: they pick the ... | |
| Off the Tee | 11/19/2006 |
| Q: how are you doing? In the past I was having a problem with hitting the ball off the tee to the right ... A: The ball drifting slightly right means there is a little sidespin on it, due to the clubface being ... | |
| Problem with Driver | 11/10/2006 |
| Q: how are you doing? I have been having a problem with my drives. No matter how much I turn left my ... A: Usually, when directional problems occur in the ball going straight right or left, it is due to ... | |
| Shanks! | 10/10/2006 |
| Q: I am a 9 handicap and have shot in the low 100's the last few times out all due to "shanking". I ... A: A shank is caused by hitting the ball with the hosel of the club which means for your swing path you ... | |
| Beginer club purchase | 9/28/2006 |
| Q: I'm a complete beginer. Im 72 in. 170 lbs. I want to buy a starter set some where in the range of ... A: As a beginning, the most important thing is to get a set of clubs that have the correct lie angle ... | |
| HANDLE-CONSCIOUS or CLUBHEAD-CONSCIOUS | 9/14/2006 |
| Q: This dilemma has plagued me forever - on my downswing, should I be HANDLE-CONSCIOUS or ... A: Actually, I know what you're talking about. It's along the lines "Swing the Clubhead", a book by ... | |
| draw shot | 9/12/2006 |
| Q: could you explain how a draw shot is achieved from a scientific point of view.and uising all the ... A: A draw if a ball flight that curves slightly right to left (for a right handed swinger). A slight ... | |
| Driver Swing Speed and COR | 9/7/2006 |
| Q: Was thinking about buying one of those .860 COR Drivers on ebay.Most of them cost more then the .830 ... A: It might give you another 6 yards of carry and therefore about 6 yards total. It does depend on the ... | |
| You | 9/5/2006 |
| Q: Lost your email address in a computer meltdown. Contact me about this year's wine party. ... A: Been thinking about you lately. Sorry I haven't contacted you in a while. How did you find me here? ... | |
| swing plane | 9/4/2006 |
| Q: I have been playing know for two years i am self taught and i read about the proper swing plane ... A: Getting into the proper swing plane is quite complex. Without seeing you swing, it's not really ... | |
| Driver Ball Trajectory | 9/3/2006 |
| Q: Right now, I am hitting a taylormade R580 driver and am having trouble. I launch the ball so high ... A: A new driver could lower your ball flight; it's an expensive change, however. I'd advise that you ... | |
| shafts | 9/1/2006 |
| Q: I am looking at finally buying some new irons. I noticed there was a shaft out called a uniflex. ... A: Sorry for the tardy response. Shaft flex doesn't really matter except for feel. More flexible ... | |
| iron distance | 8/28/2006 |
| Q: I have only been playing golf for about 1 year and I usually shoot between 95 and 100. My problem ... A: When you say your 3-7 distances aren't any farther than your 8-iron, are you hitting these shots ... | |
| clubs | 8/17/2006 |
| Q: thanks in advance chris A: There are many clubs that would be good for you and your game. If you stick to the top-of-the-line ... | |
| golf ball compression | 7/4/2006 |
| Q: I have a swing speed of 103 MPH. Is it ok for me to use a lower compression ball (70)? I like the ... A: You won't realized that much difference in distance with a low compression ball; perhaps a few yards ... | |
| golf rules and scorecard | 7/2/2006 |
| Q: where exactly is the yardage on the scorecard measured from is it from the tee to the front of the ... A: The yardage is measured from the yardage marker (red, white, blue, black) on the tee box to the ... | |
| club damage | 6/30/2006 |
| Q: I recently took my son to the driving range for the first time. He is just under 6',200 lbs.,and has ... A: At the bottom of the swing, the shaft will flex forwards naturally. It might be that your Aluminum ... | |
| callaway reshafting | 6/24/2006 |
| Q: I am 65, a 4 handicap(I was a 2 before I bought them) and bought a set of callaway x-14 pro-series ... A: The shaft shouldn't influence your distance signficiantly, especially irons. My guess is that the ... | |
| Distance between clubs | 6/9/2006 |
| Q: Is there any mathematical way to calculate the distances between the clubs in a set without actually ... A: Yes, there is a mathematical way to predict distances of other clubs from the distance of one club. ... | |
| slice | 6/8/2006 |
| Q: What causes a slice is it the clubhead open to target line or clubhead open to club head path? Or ... A: A slice is caused by the relative angle between the clubface and the clubhead path. If the ... | |
| Handicap | 5/30/2006 |
| Q: sorry I didn't make the connection to your name. I am a subscriber to PGI. I forgot about your Hdcp ... A: I found the answer to your questions at the www.usga.org site under handicaps. You can download the ... | |
| Handicap | 5/30/2006 |
| Q: I would like to know what score do I need to make to get my handicap lower. It appears that the ghin ... A: Some handicap systems will use "tournament" scores for a longer period than one year to deter "sand ... | |
| titanium drivers | 5/18/2006 |
| Q: Mr. Tannar, I have been told by some of the guy's that I play golf with that they had to buy ... A: The thin titanium face will fatigue over time and will have less spring effect. It is my ... | |
| Degrees of clubs | 5/1/2006 |
| Q: I'm thinking of purchasing a new,(to me),driver and noticed there are varying degrees.I notice that ... A: Fairway woods typically have lofts of 13 degrees or greater. An 8.5 degree club would be considered ... | |
| Mike Austin | 4/23/2006 |
| Q: First, I'm the "real" Bill Gates not that nerd using my name to get rich. My check is NOT in the ... A: So, a fraud is using your name in making billions. Shame. Very interesting information about Mike ... | |
| Wedge selection | 4/20/2006 |
| Q: I currently have a 45* PW 8*bounce, a 58* loft wedge with 8* of bounce as well....I also have a sand ... A: It depends for what you mainly want to use the sand wedge. If it is mainly used for the sand (you ... | |
| how far balls travel | 4/8/2006 |
| Q: will a golf ball travel futher in warm months such as summer or in cold weather such as winter? A: Yes, the ball travels further in warm months for 3 reasons: 1. Air temperature is greater so air ... | |
| golf | 4/1/2006 |
| Q: why 18 holes in a round of golf A: Check out my FAQ page here: ... | |
| golf clubs | 3/23/2006 |
| Q: I have the Taylormade 3,5 and 7 R5 dual fairway woods, and they have really helped my game. The ... A: Check out Callaway's clubs. They don't have a 9-Wood but they do have woods with lofts of 23 degrees ... | |
| Fairway Woods | 3/22/2006 |
| Q: Ken, I have Cobra SZ 3,5,& 7 fairway woods. I am having trouble making solid contact. Do you hit ... A: Yes, you need to hit down on fairways woods. The only club that you "sweep" is the driver or any ... | |
| golf ball compression | 3/16/2006 |
| Q: I have a club head speed of about 120. I currently use top flight xl 3000 as my golf ball. It has a ... A: With a clubhead speed ofr 120 (I assume you mean mph), you don't have a problem achieving distance. ... | |
| club making | 3/16/2006 |
| Q: I have a callaway War Bird driver, and am looking to replace it with a new callaway. My question is ... A: Good question. I'm not a club maker but have heard of this being done by other players. Not ... | |
| Rules | 3/15/2006 |
| Q: Taking my second shot into the green on a par4, my shot goes into a pond in front of the green.What ... A: It depends on whether the pond is marked as a "water hazard" or "lateral water hazard." In most ... | |
| Golf league schedule | 3/12/2006 |
| Q: I am in a golf league that has 16 teams. There is a 15 week regular season where each team plays ... A: So are you wanting a draw which minimizes the number of times players play with one another during ... | |
| Driver Length/Swingweight | 3/12/2006 |
| Q: I am a 9-handicap golfer and in an effort to hit more fairways I have reduced my driver length to 43 ... A: I find it odd the tape doesn't stay on. Where do you have it positioned. If it's on the sole of the ... | |
| golf | 3/8/2006 |
| Q: Where do I sign up to be able to keep my handicap on the computers they provide at the golf courses? ... A: I would think you need to be a member of a golf course in order to use their handicap system. If ... | |
| Uphill or Downhill shot distance | 2/22/2006 |
| Q: Why is an uphill shot longer or seem longer than a level or flat shot of the same distance. And vice ... A: Uphill shots do play longer and downhill shots play shorter. Think of the trajectory the ball ... | |
| My irons always hook | 1/19/2006 |
| Q: I recently picked up a bad habit where the majority of my iron shots will hook. My drives are in ... A: Your grip could be too strong which means the hands are placed on the grip of the club so that they ... | |
| My irons always hook | 1/19/2006 |
| Q: I recently picked up a bad habit where the majority of my iron shots will hook. My drives are in ... A: If you're hooking your irons but not your woods, I would suspect that you are actually pull hooking ... | |
| arrangement of matches for 7 players | 1/7/2006 |
| Q: I wonder if you can provide me with a solution for 7 golfers to play 4 games of golf so that each ... A: You might find part of your answer here: ... | |
| divots | 12/31/2005 |
| Q: how to stop taking such a large divot and digging in A: Without seeing you swing, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what you might be doing incorrectly. My ... | |
| Driver Fitting | 12/27/2005 |
| Q: Lately i am thinking about getting fitted for a new driver with the latest launch monitor. I am ... A: Most launch monitors have fairly realistic algorithms to predict carry distance based on the initial ... | |
| swing | 12/26/2005 |
| Q: If you videotaped a good golfer hitting a full nine iron and a full driver, and then you erased the ... A: For good players, there is no significant difference in tempo for the different swings. The time to ... | |
| Golf club technology | 12/18/2005 |
| Q: I am a 14 handicap, and currently use Titleist DCI irons that are probably 12 years old or so. I ... A: Yes, new iron technology can help your game. But first, understand that new sets of irons will hit ... | |
| Going to a 9 degree from a 10.5 degree in my driver. | 12/18/2005 |
| Q: Yes, have a 325 KZG driver with a 10.5 degree head and a G.D. Y-s 6 Reg shaft. Want to build a new ... A: The distance you hit the golf ball depends on clubhead speed, the loft of the driver, the center of ... | |
| natural golf | 11/22/2005 |
| Q: What do you think of the natural golf methods ( based on Mo Norman's swing )? I'm tempted to try it ... A: The Natural golf method, as I understand, is a simpler method of learning how to swing the club, ... | |
| Golf Balls | 11/21/2005 |
| Q: I actually want to know how many dimples are on a golf ball. And if it varies with type or brand. A: The number of dimples varies, usually between about 350 and 500. I don't have the specifics about ... | |
| golf | 10/12/2005 |
| Q: what is the definition of a shhank A: A shank occurs when the iron club contacts the ball off of its hosel. Instead of the ball going ... | |
| hands | 10/10/2005 |
| Q: Lately I have had great success with my 9 iron by keeping my hands close to my body at address. My ... A: You might not want to position your hands as close with your driver. Because the swing speed is so ... | |
| Iron distance | 10/5/2005 |
| Q: I have a set of Mizuno MP30 irons. I can't hit the 3 & 4 irons... took them out and replaced them ... A: The true effective loft of a club not only depends on the loft angle but also on the center of mass ... | |
| Lift , clean, and place | 10/3/2005 |
| Q: Do you remember any PGA tournament this year where they had this rule in place on the fairway , ... A: I recall it as well. They were allowed relief "through the green" which means everywhere. I can't ... | |
| Swing or shaft | 9/8/2005 |
| Q: if i have a short back swing, what is the best shaft for me to get that extra distance we all crave, ... A: In order to get extra distance, you should be playing as light of a shaft as possible, thus a ... | |
| Loft or degree of Drivers | 8/24/2005 |
| Q: What is the difference between 9.5 loft on your driver and 10.5? A: The loft of a club is the angle made by the clubface relative to the vertical when the club is held ... | |
| what shaft to use. | 8/16/2005 |
| Q: i play off a 9 handicap and my 3 wood is a regular shaft but i slice it if i rotate my hands more i ... A: A stiff shaft would help you sqaure the club face more easily. My guess, however, is that the 3 wood ... | |
| swing plane | 8/2/2005 |
| Q: Does the angle where the golf club meets the ground, before your swing, matter? And if so, what is ... A: Angle between the ground and the club? I assume you mean the angle of descent of the club's ... | |
| Used golf balls. | 7/14/2005 |
| Q: Have you ever seen studies done between the performance of a used golf ball as compared to a brand ... A: I think it was the June issue of Golf Digest which highlighted some testing results done by ... | |
| Hole in one | 7/10/2005 |
| Q: What are the odds of both a husband and wife both getting a hole-in-one during the course of their ... A: My statistics sources tell me that the odds of a golfer getting a hole in one in their lifetime is ... | |
| hit the ball | 6/29/2005 |
| Q: I am a beginner,why I always hit the top of the ball, is that anyway to make sure I can hit the ... A: The major cause of topping the ball is the upper body being higher at ball contact than at the ... | |
| Need to ask a really dumb question | 6/28/2005 |
| Q: Can you wear sneakers to play golf or must you wear golf shoes? (Do they rent shoes such as in ... A: Sneakers are fine. No, they don't rent special shoes to wear. Some exclusive clubs might rent golf ... | |
| golf flag height | 6/24/2005 |
| Q: I am wanting to know if there is a regulation height for the flags on the green? I purchased a golf ... A: There is no offical height for a flagstick as they can supply much taller ones to allow playes to ... | |
| fareway | 6/19/2005 |
| Q: if you tee off and your ball sinks into soft ground and is unplayable ; do you encure a penitaly ... A: If the ball sinks into soft ground on any "closely mowed" area (i.e. fairway), you get free relief. ... | |
| Par 5 | 6/14/2005 |
| Q: Is there a name for a shot when a golfer hits a Par 5 in two shots? A: As far as I know, there is no special term for such a shot. Ken Tannar Check out the golf tips ... | |
| offset clubs | 5/17/2005 |
| Q: My friend is a low handicap player with TA3 irons. He works the ball right to left, but is wanting ... A: I'm in agreement with you; an offset club gives you less workability. If anything, he would hit less ... | |
| shaft weight | 5/15/2005 |
| Q: The swing weight is d2 what I have always played. I think if they reshaft with lighter shafts they ... A: Well, if the swing weight is the same and the overall weight seems greater, I'd be sure and weight ... | |
| shaft weight | 5/15/2005 |
| Q: My question is pertaining to shaft weight. I carry an 8 handicap and recently purchased callaway's ... A: Could the swing weight be greater than you're used to? Fitting them with lighter shafts would reduce ... | |
| Mathematics of golf | 5/11/2005 |
| Q: I'm researching the mathematics in a golf swing and I was wondering if you could inform me of the ... A: There are a couple of models used. Go to my website at www.probablegolfinstruction.com . There, you ... | |
| abnormal? | 5/8/2005 |
| Q: I consistently hit my 4 wood 300+ yards off the tee. Is this normal and what kind of swing speeds ... A: Under normal coniditions, yes, hitting a 4 wood 300+yards is abnormal. Is there any wind? Are you ... | |
| golf | 5/3/2005 |
| Q: i have a terrible slice and i also top the ball alot why? A: Can't be sure without seeing your swing. But, the most common slice is a result of swinging the club ... | |
| chip and pitch | 4/27/2005 |
| Q: I understand that a pitch involves cocking the wrists and a chip doesn't. So, are my following ... A: Yes, chipping from a long distance with firm wrists will feel stiff and less comfortable. There will ... | |
| liquid center titliest golf ball | 4/18/2005 |
| Q: I am curious to know what the liquid in the center of a titliest golf ball is.. Is it harmful.. A: I did a search on yahoo using "golf ball liquid center" as the search words. Lots of info about your ... | |
| Closed Stance | 3/30/2005 |
| Q: I read somewhere that a closed stance helps you bring the club down into the ball on an inside path. ... A: Yes, a closed stance can promote more of an inside to outside path but it won't necessarily ... | |
| full swing | 3/26/2005 |
| Q: ------------------------- At contact,do the hands come back to where they were at address ? I'm ... A: Due to the outward pull of the club on the hands, especially with the driver, the hands will be ... | |
| full swing | 3/25/2005 |
| Q: You've given me great feedback before. Getting my hands through first and keeping the arms working ... A: You hand position depends upon the amount of flex/bend at the waist. Ideally, you hands at address ... | |
| shaft length | 3/7/2005 |
| Q: I'd like to know why each club shaft is a different length.Isn't it the clubhead that does the work? A: The longer the shaft length, the higher the club head speed and thus the farther the ball will ... | |
| this is not to do with my... | 3/1/2005 |
| Q: this is not to do with my game but the game itself. do you think that the technology in the game has ... A: No, I don't think tech has taken the competitiveness out of the game. The new tech has just enabled ... | |
| fairway woods | 2/23/2005 |
| Q: When I practice my wedge there are times I feel like I'm doing it like a pro. The feels I get are ... A: No, every club definitely does not feel the same. Longer clubs require and larger turn and since ... | |
| off center | 2/20/2005 |
| Q: I hit the golf ball closest to the heel. What causes it? Thak you. Amanda A: In all likelihood, you are standing too close to the ball. Try addressing the ball so it is ... | |
| Golf SHafts | 2/3/2005 |
| Q: Please help me to understand what is meant by the torque, weight and flex of a shaft. I am wanting ... A: Torque refers to the amount that the shaft will twist about its length; how much the clubface will ... | |
| weight transfer | 1/28/2005 |
| Q: I think that my swing ( which I survive with and sometimes play well with ) doesn't have much weight ... A: Most pros do have significant weight transfer. When you hit a ball while on your knees, there is ... | |
| Golf courses | 1/22/2005 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me approximately how many golf courses there are in North America? ... A: Sorry, but not up on that kind of trivia. I'd try doing an internet search or check out the usga.com ... | |
| large clubhead | 1/18/2005 |
| Q: I would think that a large clubhead would slow down one's swing because of increased air ... A: You're right, are large clubhead would slow down more due to increased air resistance (actually ... | |
| golf clubs - center of gravity | 1/18/2005 |
| Q: I have read that a forward center of gravity in a golf club reduces the spin rate, and I have also ... A: The more forward the center of gravity in a golf club, the lower the spin rate. Moving the center of ... | |
| Golf Draw | 1/15/2005 |
| Q: Submitted payment this morning. Will your draw/pairings be mailed, or is it viewable somewhere in ... A: Since you only have 12 players, there's no way of avoiding some people playing with each other more ... | |
| Golf score under age | 1/14/2005 |
| Q: Has any golfer ever scored below his age for eighteen holes? Many thanks, Steve A: Many golfer have shot under their age; there are too many to mention. You might want to look up the ... | |
| Golf Draw | 1/8/2005 |
| Q: Recently saw your routing for 20 players playing 5 rounds over a week and the routing positioning ... A: Sure, Brad. I can provide you with a pairing schedule for your trip. The fee for this service is ... | |
| golf | 10/19/2004 |
| Q: 1. James chipped his third shot onto the green; it hit the pin and went into the hole. What should ... A: 1. score is 3 2. fore 3. sand wedge hope this helps. Best regards, Ken Tannar Check out the ... | |
| lift coefficient vs spin factor | 10/15/2004 |
| Q: I'm a student of the University of Sherbrooke, I need to know the equation of the lift coefficient ... A: As far as I know, there is not one equation that links the lift coefficient to spin factor. You will ... | |
| history | 10/4/2004 |
| Q: Why 18 holes of golf. Where did that come from? A: Sorry for the tardy response. I was away for a few days. Like many developments throughout golf ... | |
| golf in residential areas | 9/22/2004 |
| Q: Ken: We are in a residential area where our next door neighbor has a 7-8 acre property and is ... A: You must have been viewing one of my old pages from my website that I haven't changed yet. I have ... | |
| golf | 9/18/2004 |
| Q: what does the number of par refer to?i play golf on the computer and i would like to know the ... A: Par is the number of strokes a scratch player (best type of golfer) would most likely score on a ... | |
| club speed... | 8/30/2004 |
| Q: How can I develope more club speed? Thanks, Joe A: One can develop more club speed by improving the following: 1. The Golf Swing You can do this my ... | |
| PUTTING GRIP | 8/28/2004 |
| Q: My putting lately has been pretty bad. It seems like when I come back on my stroke the putter head ... A: I need some more information. How does your putter head move considerably? backstroke or forward ... | |
| Golf Swing | 8/18/2004 |
| Q: I am a beginner at golf and I am having a problem when swinging a driver. I seem to be hitting ... A: Your problem is not at all uncommon. The Driver is the most difficult club to hit because it is the ... | |
| why are courses 18 holes | 8/17/2004 |
| Q: Any idea why golf courses are 18 holes in length? I see that R&A adopted these rules, but it doesn't ... A: Like many developments throughout golf history, the standardization of 18 holes did not happen as ... | |
| grip | 8/14/2004 |
| Q: I am told when you grip the club at address, you should be able to see your 3 knuckles on your left ... A: Seeing 3 knuckles on your left hand would usually mean that your grip is on the "strong" side, ... | |
| Slicing long irons | 7/29/2004 |
| Q: This question requires a long explanation, but please bear with me. With a 9-iron I typically get ... A: The shafts are tip trimmed throughout the set so the 9 iron and 3 iron play to the same stiffness ... | |
| Golf Ball Distance Flight in Humid vs. Dry | 7/22/2004 |
| Q: We are having a debate at our office. We know that balls fly farther in HOT humid weather, but ... A: Good question, Betsy. At the same temperature, the ball travels farther at higher humidity (85% in ... | |
| Humidity | 7/19/2004 |
| Q: Does a golf ball go farther when it is more humid? A: As humidity increases, air density decreases. Less dense air creates less lift and less drag. The ... | |
| golf | 7/6/2004 |
| Q: Can you tell me the different ways that they arrive at the "cut line" at major golf tournaments? A: As far as I know, there are two common ways to cut at major golf tournaments: 1. The field is cut ... | |
| golf | 6/24/2004 |
| Q: why are there 18 holes in the game of golf A: Like many developments throughout golf history, the standardization of 18 holes did not happen as ... | |
| Distance driver | 6/22/2004 |
| Q: I'm a regular golfer (12 handicap)and would really like to improve the distance of my drive. Most ... A: You never mentioned whether you fade, hit straight or draw the ball with the driver. I would assume ... | |
| hitting tee shots farther | 5/18/2004 |
| Q: I just want to know how to hit tee shots further - involving tee placement, swing mechanics, hand ... A: I've written a series of newsletters on this topic entitled, "Distance & Technology". Find them here ... | |
| Head game? | 5/5/2004 |
| Q: (I have one year to break 70 on regular basis, how do I do it?) I am a current non-traditional ... A: Wow! Quite an ambition. Not to demoralize you, but I'd bet against you consistently breaking 70 ... | |
| Chemistry in Golf | 5/1/2004 |
| Q: Hey, I am a grade 12 student and we were recently assigned a project on 'the chemistry of ... A: Do a search using the words "golf ball chemical composition". A number of sites come up. Here's a ... | |
| golf | 4/25/2004 |
| Q: Which clubs will produce the highest trajectory? Which club is considered the most powerful Which ... A: The sand wedge (the one with greatest loft) produces the highest trajectory. The Driver (least loft ... | |
| Trigonometry | 4/2/2004 |
| Q: What is the trigonometry associated with reading the break and slope of the greens, are there any ... A: The amount of break obviously depends on the slope of the green. As the ball moves across the green, ... | |
| Is the Medicus dual 2000 worth buying? | 3/29/2004 |
| Q: I am a 23 year old from Burbank, IL, I have been playing since the middle of last year. I have a ... A: My first advice is always to spend your money on getting formal lessons from a good, qualified golf ... | |
| golf help | 3/4/2004 |
| Q: hey i on my swing i keep lowering my left shoulder an extreme amount which is causing me to hit low ... A: It would make more sense to me that you dip your left shoulder lower on your back swing. On your ... | |
| golf question | 3/3/2004 |
| Q: Hey its me again and i ried the things you told me but now i found out more specific detail to my ... A: When you say you're playing the ball "in front of you stance", I assume you mean you're playing it ... | |
| golf question | 3/2/2004 |
| Q: hey i have been playing golf for a year and I am a 17 handicap i hit the ball solid and on the sweet ... A: One reason for hitting low shots, assuming they're hit solidly, is that clubhead speed is low and ... | |
| Golf Draw | 3/2/2004 |
| Q: Ken We have 20 players playing 5 rounds over a week and I am trying to construct a draw that ... A: I'm pretty sure the following pairings will yield no two players playing together more than once ... | |
| Iron play | 2/16/2004 |
| Q: I'm a fairly experienced player and I do undertsand the science behind the golf swing to a ... A: A lob shot is probably the easiest to shank because we can tend to get too handsy ( we manipulate ... | |
| Iron play | 2/15/2004 |
| Q: I've developed a habit of hitting all my irons off the toe...but not my woods. I occasionally hit a ... A: Firstly, a shank is produced by hitting the ball with an iron off the hosel, not the toe. One can't ... | |
| Putting | 2/11/2004 |
| Q: I'm just a golf beginner and had an argument with my friend regarding how to perform uphill or ... A: I answered this question last week but apparently my reply did not go through. I am not aware ... | |
| Divot / distance | 1/26/2004 |
| Q: I have been struggling with my game for quite some time now, I hope you can understand my ... A: Firstly, a 140 yard 7 iron would not be considered short, but average. With respect to your ... | |
| Driving distance | 12/19/2003 |
| Q: I need some suggestions on what to look for to get better distance off of the tee. I'm a senior ... A: A 30 to 40 yard increase is very unusual. Part of the increase could be explained by different ... | |
| formats | 10/22/2003 |
| Q: I play in a senior mens scramble twice weekly. Four flights. Foursomes consist of 1 from each ... A: Sorry for the delay in my reply. I received your original just as I was heading out of town and ... | |
| Golf Draw | 8/14/2003 |
| Q: I am trying to make a golf draw which involves 48 players. They are made up in groups of 4. They ... A: A very difficult problem! I have found a couple of people already working on the problem. Maybe you ... | |
| golf | 7/25/2003 |
| Q: How fast is the golf ball going right as it is hit from an average golf swing? A: Tiger Woods and the other long hitting players have a clubhead speed of about 120 mph. An average ... | |
Golf
Answers by Expert:
Ken Tannar
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer any questions related to the science or mathematics of golf which covers pretty well the whole game.
Experience
I am a physics/math teacher and 1 handicap and have a site dedicated to the subject called probablegolfinstruction.com
Organizations
B.C. Association of Physics Teachers
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