Editors Note: Each week, we receive hundreds of questions for our PGA Experts. Though we can't answer every one of them, we will take some of the most illuminating and beneficial questions and have one of the top authorities from the PGA of America to answer them for you. We are in the process of finding ways for more experts to answer more of your questions! Thank you for your support and keep the questions coming!

Rules: Brad Gregory, Vice Chairman PGA Rules Committee

Q: Two groups are playing parallel fairways in opposite directions. Player A in group 1 hits at the same time as Player B in group 2. Balls collide in mid-air sending Player A's ball out of bounds. Now what?
John Blanton

A: Rule 19-5b (Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Another Ball; In Motion) tells us that, except after a stroke from the putting green, if a player's ball in motion after a stroke is deflected by another ball in motion the player must play his ball as it lies. This ruling is similar to a ball in motion deflected by a bird, a mower or some other outside agency as seen in Rule 19-1 (Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency). In your case, bad luck has smacked player A.

Player A must count the stroke that was deflected by the other ball and because his ball is out of bounds, he incurs a penalty stroke and must play again from where the previous stroke was made. See Rule 27-1b (Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Ball Out of Bounds). Player B must play his ball as it lies.

Q: Can a player play a provisional ball even after the original tee shot is found in bounds?
john hettman

A: Rule 27-2a (Provisional Ball; Procedure) says in part: If a ball may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally. The player must inform his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play that he intends to play a provisional ball, and he must do so before going forward to search for the original ball. If he fails to do so and plays another ball, that ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-1); the original ball is lost.

In brief, to play a provisional ball, the player must have a reason to do so, make an announcement and play it within the time limit of "going forward to search".

In your case, if the location of the original ball is still in doubt (i.e. the player is still unsure even though a marshal gave the safe sign), the player has made his intent known to play a provisional ball and has not left the tee area for the purpose of searching for the original ball, he may play a provisional ball.

However, if the player knows his ball is in bounds or has gone forward to search, he may not play a ball provisionally.

Equipment: Tom Henderson, PGA Professional & Master Club Fitter

Q: If have about a 12 handicap, should I even think about getting blade irons??
Thanks
Kyle

A: Kyle, you won't see many blade style irons around on Sunday mornings at your golf course! Most golfers today are taking advantage of the more contemporary designs.

Today's irons have larger hitting surfaces and perimeter weighting. Aside from providing help visually, the modern iron sets help with getting the ball airborne and positively influencing ball flight on off-centered hits. One might even term them as "forgiving."

Unless you get to play often and well, I would strongly suggest sticking with non-blade iron set.

Q: Hi Tom, The tees that are in use today are rigid, would a flexible tee that bends under contact allow for greater club swing speed and hence distance or is the resistance so small that it is not a factor? Do you know if anybody has experimented with a flexible tee head and if so what were the results. Friends have used flexible tee heads and believe they are better than the rigid tee? Comments please, thanks.
warren schmelzer

A: Warreng good to hear from you on PGA.com.

There are many varieties of golf tees in today's market.

I have had experience with some of the new tees such as the "Brush Tee". It appears that there is definitely less resistance with this type of tee and in most cases, they help you tee the ball up the same height each time you use them.

My experience will tell you that I did not see much difference in ball flight or distance. However, I have friends who swear that they help. My advice to you: Go out and buy a pack of these little devils (a small investment) and see if they help your game.