April 22 -- Instruction: Jim Hardy, 2008 PGA National Teacher of the Year

Q: I sometimes push the driver to the right, but it's not a slice. Is this my grip or swing or both?
Dave

A: A push is a solidly hit shot that is straight in its flight but is right of the target. If this is your shot it is caused by the swing path being too far in-to-out and not enough in-to-in.

Q: Jim, My wedges and irons are usually a strong point in my game, but since the start of this season I have a funny tendency from time to time. I will have a slice come off my club and not just a little ,a hard low line drive straight to the right!! got any suggestions?
Lucas Beal

A: I would have to say that a "hard low line drive straight to the right" hit with wedges and irons is usually not a slice but is a shank. A slice is very hard to hit with short irons since an open face, which causes a slice, usually hits the very high and only slightly to the right with short irons. A shank is caused by contacting the ball in the heel of the clubface. To correct a slice most easily, place a board just outside the ball and parallel to the target line and try to hit the ball off the toe without hitting the board.

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

Q: How close to the edge of the green can a hole be cut?
Robert A Johnston

A: The Rules of Golf do not state or recommend a specific distance a hole should be cut from the edge of a green. However, the USGA booklet "How to Conduct a Competition" recommends that generally the hole be located at least five paces from any edge of the putting green.

I must tell you for many of the PGA of America Championships the holes have been cut closer to the edge than five paces. Depending on the length and design of the hole, the size and firmness of the green, wind direction and the quality of the players, holes have been cut as close as three paces. All of these factors should be considered.

Q: Our Ladies Club Championship tournament was played two weeks ago. The lady who finished second is now claiming that the winner took an improper drop, and therefore should not be the winner, but should be disqualified for signing a score card that was incorrect. The winner spoke with two members of the Rules Committee before signing her card, and was told by both Committee members that she had proceeded correctly. Can someone come back two weeks after a tournament has been completed, and the results have been published and claim a foul has been committed? Or is she just being a poor sport?
Thank you,
Rosie

A: The second place finisher remains in second place. Once the competition has closed the ruling by the Committee is final (see Rule 34-3 and Decision 34-3/3.9) even if the ruling proved to be incorrect.

Equipment: Tom Henderson, PGA Professional & Master Club Fitter

Q: I purchased an off the rack set of Callaway X20 irons because I assumed I needed a standard length and lie based on information I obtained on a club fitting website. The clubs seem fine but my question is, can off the shelf clubs be checked and adjusted or fit to a golfer after they are purchased?
William Hagerman

A: William:
Some golf equipment buying advice: Assume nothing! Off the rack equipment "fits" a very small percentage of the golfing public. With that said, getting retro fitted is a viable option.

Take your equipment to a PGA Professional who dynamically fits. A dynamic fit consists of watching actual ball flight to determine the best specifications for you. Then have your lie, loft, shaft, grip size, etc. adjusted to accommodate your needs.

Club fitting websites use static measurements to make their recommendations. Static measurements are only a starting point in the fitting process. Dynamic fitting does the complete job.

Q: One time my club broke and I sent it to the manufacturer. To my surprise, when it was returned the club had been polished and had a shine on it like it was new. I have tried many different polishes but none seem to help get a reasonable shine. Do you have any suggestion for polishes or buffers I could use that would be effective? A shiny club has such a positive mental influence when teeing off or in the fairway. Thanks.
DANIEL HUBBELL

A: Daniel:

Unfortunately, I think the best way you can get the original finish restored would be to send it back to the manufacturer. Many manufacturers have a re-conditioning service that they offer to existing customers.

Another option for obtaining that shiny "like new" finish would be to send your clubs to the Golf Works (Ohio) for a chrome re-finish. This process requires you being without your equipment for an extended period of time and can be pretty expensive. However, they do quality work and you can count on getting that finish you are looking for.

Hope this helps.