Instruction: Jim Hardy, 2007 PGA National Teacher of the Year

Q: I am right handed and want to know how to hit a draw. Most of my bad shots with drivers slice to the right, with irons slight slice to right. My club speed is between 75 and 95. I hit high shots most of the time.
Royall K. Brown

A: Your slice and your high shots are caused by an open face club while hitting the ball. The open face is a reaction to an angle coming into the ball that is too steep, much like an airplane trying to land with a descent angle that is way too steep at the ground. The airplane will have to pull up hard to avoid a crash and you pull the club up and open the club face to likewise avoid chopping into the ball. To shallow out the steep angle, you need to bend over more at address, stand farther from the ball and swing the club around you more like a merry-go-round and less like a Ferris-wheel. Feel like a baseball swing bent over. This will shallow out your angle of approach and allow you to close the club face during impact instead of opening it.

Q: In putting, Why don't pros look at the hole instead of the ball? Golf is the only shooting sport I know of where you don't look at the target.
Steve Blanchard

A: The answer is simple; the target of the stroke is the ball not the hole. You are swinging at the ball, which in turn if hit correctly, will go into the hole. If you were throwing the ball, then it would make sense if you looked at the hole. But since the club is in your hand, not the ball, and you are swinging the club at the ball, you should look at your target; the ball.

Rules: Brad Gregory, Vice-Chairman, PGA Rules Committee

Q: Sir: I am wondering if it's legal to use a portable liquid oxygen tank during play. I have had cancer in both lungs and it has decreased the amount of oxygen that I am able to take in. With the oxygen it allows me to be able to play.
Stephen Brooks

A: Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment) has added two Exceptions for 2008. The first of which clarifies that a player is not in breach of Rule 13-4 if the equipment or device satisfies three requirements: a)it is designed for or has the effect of alleviating a medical condition, b) the player has a legitimate reason to use it and c) the Committee is satisfied its use does not give the player any undue advantage over other players. This Exception to Rule 14-3 should certainly cover the use of your oxygen tank.

Q: What is the rule governing the use of Hand-held Distance Measuring Devices (example: SkyCaddie) during tournament play?
Leon Talley

A: The use of a distance measuring device during a round is a breach of Rule 13-4 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual use of Equipment) for which the penalty is disqualification. However, the Note to Rule 13-4 gives authority for the Committee to allow devices that measure distance only. This Local Rule does not include a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions such as gradient (uphill/downhill), wind, temperature, etc. regardless if this function is used. So before using a SkyCaddie make sure the Local Rule is in effect and the SkyCaddie can only measure distance.

Equipment: Tom Henderson, PGA Professional & Master Club Fitter

Q:I'm hdcp 8. I hit long and draw the ball very nicely with all the fairway woods, but I am very inconsistent with the driver, fading most of the shots. All my shafts are the same stiff flex. Should I change my driver 9.5 degrees for a 10.5 or 11 degrees?
Eugenio Mulero

A: Eugenio:

Thanks for your question on PGA.com

Given the information you have provided, I would recommend trying a driver with a little more loft.

As a rule, adding loft will decrease side spin and add to your launch angle. Experiment with more loft (in small increments), observe actual ball flight, and make your decision.

If your ball starts to "balloon", reduce loft. If your have too much side spin incorporated into your ball flight, add some loft.

Hope this helps.

Q: It is very difficult for me to distinguish between one ball from another. You hear guys say O this Titlist Pro V1 is the bomb etc., but I notice no real difference. I would like to have that savvy however. I'm a 14 handicap; I'm a Callaway man and I like accuracy, distance and a little spin on the green. Any suggestions for me to finding the right ball for my game?
Luke Carter

A: Luke:

It sounds like you may want to find a PGA Professional that has a launch monitor and schedule a session.

Hitting balls on a launch monitor with various clubs will give you measurements such as: launch angle, initial ball speed, and spin rate. Once your PGA Professional gathers and evaluates this data, he/she will be able to match up your numbers with the best ball for YOU.

Just because your friends "rave" about a particular ball doesn't mean it's necessarily the right ball for you.