Ask the PGA Pro
Ask the PGA Professional
This is your opportunity to have questions about golf in general or your golf game in particular answered by a PGA Professional.
Having swing trouble? Still fighting that slice?
Missing short putts? Ask the PGA Pro!
Approximately once a week, your questions will be answered here by one of the participating
PGA Professionals from Golf in the SouthWest.
This week, Kim Brown, PGA Master Professional at Keeton Park in Dallas, Texas will be
answering your questions. Brown is also President of the
Northern Texas PGA.
Simply go to this form, to ask the PGA Pro your question.
Thanks for your participation!
Q & A
Last Updated: Dec 23rd
I live in: Arlington Texas
My_name_is: APEX88
comments: Occasionally I hit a few "duck" hooks off the tee and I also
tend to pull hook approach shots. Can you give me any idea what may
cause this? I know that sometimes I may be a little too quick with
the hands but I am not sure why I hit a pull hook. Is it because my
lower body is too inactive and I hit from the top? Thanks for your
help.
Kim Brown:
My suggestion would be to have a professional check out your shoulder
alignment. If your shoulders are "open" or to the left of the target line,
that will tend to limit the effective shoulder turn on the backswing and
result in a lot of "active hands" type swings where you duck hook and pull.
I live in: regina sask canada
My_name_is: david a young
comments: 97 will be the 3rd yr that i will be playing this
fascinating game . would it be a good idea to seek lessons at the
start of the season or wait till i have had a few games under my belt
say 3 games?thanks david y
Kim Brown:
Don't wait. Take lessons early to create a good foundation. It is almost
better to try new things before you reinforce the old "feel" of your swing by
playing several games.
I live in: Camp Zama, Japan
My_name_is: Norm Curran
comments: It seems that no matter how hard I try, all my drives have a
tail (I am right handed). My 3-5 wood are generally straight,
although I occasionally fade them as well.
Kim Brown:
Two possible approaches. 1) Aim a little left and hit it 2) Take a bigger
shoulder turn and then keep your elbows "pinched" together at contact to get
the feel of releasing. Don't overwork the hands, allow a natural rotation of
the forearms to close the clubface.
I live in: Scituate, Ma.
My_name_is: James Connelly
comments: I play 9 holes of golf a week and have a 13 handicap. I love
to play golf and have toyed with the idea of trying to become a pro.
How do you know if you have what it takes and how do you get started.
Also is there a place on the web to find out how and what it takes (
money wise ) to become a pro.
Kim Brown:
Check out: www.pga.com for help in this area.
I live in: HIGH POINT,N.C. U.S.A.
My_name_is: MIKE DAVIS
comments: year before last i played every day. At least 4 hours a day.
now i haven't played in 5 months. But yesterday, i played and played
better than ever why is that. I mean i hit the ball straighter ans
farther than ever. I really want to know why i can take off for awhile
and play better.
Kim Brown:
Usually we relax after not playing in a while. Our expectations are lower
which takes the pressure off and our body relaxes. We also don't overwork the
hands as much because we are just trying to make contact.
I live in: Brookfield,IL,USA
My_name_is: Sam McCann
comments: I wear a size XL glove, during a visit to a teaching pro she
noticed that my grips could be made bigger. I had some of my clubs
re-gripped to 4 wraps fatter. I was told that this would change the
swing weight of my clubs. If this is true, how does it effect my swing
if any?
Kim Brown:
Lightens the swingweight but increases the overall weight of the club.
Swingweight is just a measurement of the balance . How much weight is towards
the head of the club, etc. Lightening the swing weight a little won't do much
at all. If you lighten it a lot, you may get increased club head speed but
reduced "feel" of where the head is in the swing.
I live in: MONTEBELLO,CALIFORNIA
My_name_is: B.J. Ardalan
comments: I'M 15 SO FAR I LOVE GOLF. I'VE BEEN PLAYING SINCE ABOUT
FEB. 1996. HERE IS MY PROBLEM ,I GO TO THE PRACTICE RANGE ONCE A WEEK
FOR FEW HOURS AND HIT THE COURSE EVERY 2 TO 3 WEEKS BUT I'M STILL VERY
INCONSISTENT. I HAVE GREAT DAYS AND HORRIBLE DAYS. DO YOU HAVE ANY
TIPS OR PRACTICE ROUTINES FOR ME. I NEED HELP.
Kim Brown:
At the rate you are playing and practicing, you cannot expect to be
consistent. Tour professionals play every day and still complain about
conistency. That is the biggest challenge with the game. I would suggest
taking some lessons.
I live in: Denver,CO, USA
My_name_is: Linus Smith
comments: Dear Kim Brown,
I am searching for a 1977 Walter Hagen Ultradyne II 1-iron, and sand
wedge. I hit these irons very well, maintaining a 5 to 6 handicap,
playing primarily weekend golf. Could you provide me some hints on
locating these clubs to fill my set. I would really appreciate your
help. Thanx, Linus
Kim Brown:
I think there are internet web sites devoted exlusively to finding clubs like
you are looking for. I know I have seen them. Do a "search" on golf related
web sites.
I live in: Coral Gables, Florida
My_name_is: Tom Albertson
comments: I am confused about a rule. I recently hit a huge duck hook
off the tee that wound up in the adjacent fairway (of hole #7); I was
teeing off on hole #1. That is considered out of bounds, correct?
And I would have to take a 1 stroke penalty and then replay from the
tee again? Right?
Kim Brown:
It would not be out of bounds unless a local rule said so and was accordingly
marked with white stakes. If it was out of bounds, then one stroke and
distance is correct.
live in: Princeton NJ
My_name_is: Chris Carmolingo
comments: I have just purchased a new set of Tit.DCI black irons. I
was fitted by two different pros who both told me to go with a 2
degree upright lie, so I did that. Now that I have the clubs I feel
slightly uncomfortable with this lie angle. Should I have them bent
back to standard or give myself time to adjust to the new set. ( I
have played at an 8 Hcp. with a standard lie angle for 10 years)
Kim Brown:
I would give it some time. Most people play with clubs that are too flat.
I live in: Milwaukee,WI. USA
My_name_is: Richard Cattani
comments: KIM: Some peoples left hand or fingers come off the club
on the back swing. My problem is that mine come off at the finish of
the follow through. I'M 7 and hit the ball fairly straight. I don't
get the distanist I would like. I'M wondering if this is a problem or
doesn't it matter after the ball is hit and gone. if it is, do you
have a drill to work on. Thank you and this is an excellent service
you are providing for us duffers.
Kim Brown:
That is indicative of grip pressure changing during the swing. Grip the club
with consistent grip pressure with the left hand.
I live in: Aurora, Nebraska
My_name_is: Howard Holland
comments: I take a rather deep divot with my irons. It results in
inconsistent shotmaking. what can I do to fix this problem
Kim Brown:
Try to "sweep" the ball
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Thanks to Kim Brown, PGA Master Professional for answering these questions.
Simply go to this form, to ask Kim your question.
Northern Texas PGA
Golf in the SouthWest