Ask the Pro
Over 500 Golf Questions and Answers

Here are questions submitted by golfers from all over the world and my responses to them. They are arranged from most recent to least recent (top to bottom) and the archive contains all the questions and answers that have appeared here in the "Ask the Pro" section (which is the tiniest fraction of the total number of questions that have been submitted). The archive index has the questions and answers organized by topic and somewhat alphabetized.

You may find it interesting reading to see what others are asking and you can also ask a question yourself. But, be sure to check the Q's & A's here on this page, the FAQ's and the archive first, as your question may already have been answered.

Most recently posted Questions & Answers
(most recent to least recent, top to bottom)

Question:

June 26, 2009

I'm a lefty and I cannot hit the ball without hooding my club if I want it to go straight, why is that?

Gabriel Bedard
North Bay, Ontario, Canada

Answer:

Hi Gabriel,

"Why" you cannot hit it straight unless (you feel like) you hood it (at address?, at impact?, both?) I couldn't say without watching you. It could even be something that you feel you are doing and really are not.

But just to be clear, "hooding" the club is leaning it forward toward the target, decreasing its natural loft angle. This is independent of the club face's directional orientation. Whereas, "closing" the club face is actually turning the club face away from square (to the right for a left-hander). A closed club face is usually also hooded, or de-lofted, to some degree (unless your hands hands are out of position). But a hooded club face is not necessarily closed.

If what you describe is indeed what is happening then there are complications in your technique -- possibly many. Technique is covered in detail in my books "The Full Swing" and "Hitting it Longer".

Thanks for visiting and best of luck with your game. MB

Question:

June 16, 2009

I read at the U.S. Open on Friday Tiger Woods would start on the tenth hole... I thought everybody started on the first hole.

Jack Juras
Ashtabula, OH

Answer:

Hi Jack,

When the field of players is large (like the first two days, before the cut) they start on both nines and cross-over -- it takes less time than if everybody had to start on hole 1 (you can see that the back nine would be empty for a couple hours or so). Some golf courses do this on busy days with their regular play too. I've heard it called a "double shift" or "double wave", or "split tee" starting. It may be called other things too.

Thanks for visiting PGAProfessional.com. MB

Question:

May 19, 2009

Why do professional golfers almost without exception lean on their putters when picking the ball out the hole? Many even lean on the toe. This must leave indentations near the hole.

George Keates
Invergordon, Ross-shire, UK

Answer:

Hi George,

Perhaps habit, laziness, body language picked up subconsciously from watching other players, who knows... Probably just more for secure balance than anything else. Hopefully most of them lean very lightly -- and nobody seems to be complaining about it so it must not create a problem. I have never noticed indentations from other players' putters. But then again, my vision might not be all that great.

Thanks for visiting PGAProfessional.com. MB

Question:

May 6, 2009

How many prctice swings are you allowed to take before your shot?

Luke Foreman
Westport, CT

Answer:

Hi Luke,

There is no rule about that, but if you take too much time in competitions you may end up on a timer and eventually penalized, and in casual play if you take too many practice swings consistently your playing companions will probably either let you know or they will stop playing with you. My own gut feeling about it is that for most typical shots if you're taking more than two practice swings you're pushing it. But that is just an opinion, and as long as you don't hold up the pace of play it really doesn't matter.

Thanks for visiting PGAProfessional.com. MB

Ask Your Question

Feel free to ask any golf-related questions. I'll do my best to respond but I can't guarantee that I'll get to everybody, especially if I've already answered the question here on the site. Be sure to check the Frequently Asked Questions and the Ask the Pro Archive, which contains all the questions and answers that have been posted since I started this feature. Not only might you find that your question has already been answered; you may find it informative and entertaining to read what others are asking and my responses to them. Note: It is assumed that if you submit a question I have permission to post it here on the site (pesky disclaimers).

To ask your question just fill-in and submit the form below. Please include your name, city and state (and of course your e-mail address if you would like a personal response - I won't post your email address, I promise).

Question Form