Increasing driver yardage, hitting behind the ball – Ask the PGA Professional #13

I live in: wolfville,N.S.
My_name_is: grant
comments: This question may seem a bit weird but, I’m doing a project and I need to know the drag coefficient of a golf ball, if you have any information it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Kim Brown:
Depends on the dimple pattern, but that one is beyond me I’m afraid. Contact the USGA’s web site.
I live in: St. Marys, Georgia
My_name_is: Freddie Trotter
comments: I used to start my driver back by “flagging” the toe out, and always had a slice that was always present.Now I keep the clubface square and have a more upright swing pattern. My drives are more consistently straight, but I have lost yardage. My average drive is about 240 yards. How can I increase yardage?

Kim Brown:
Bigger shoulder turn, keep elbows close together on down swing and “pinch” them at contact. Swing to a full finish on your left side.
I live in: houston canada
My_name_is: delbert arnold
comments: to what degree is the golf club itself. over dropping your score i just purchased i set of callaway big bertha RCH 96 clubs the season has not opened yet but i am looking forward to this season my handycap is 17 and i want to improve my game but there is no golf pro in town i read a lot of golf digest to help me what should i do.

Kim Brown:
Equipment can make about a 5% difference or maybe 20% in an extreme case.
I live in: MD elicott city Ridge road
My_name_is: jason vickers
comments: When in your swing to you keep your forearm straight all the way your swing?

Kim Brown:
For a right hand golfer, the left arm stays relatively straight until 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through on the follow through.
I live in: Moscow, Idaho, USA
My_name_is: Brian Armstrong
comments: After I have a really bad shot or bad hole, how can I keep myself from getting flustered and carrying it over into the rest of my round?

Kim Brown:
Be realistic and remember why you are playing golf in the first place. “Fun”
I live in: Brandon, MS, USA
My_name_is: Darren Crotchett
comments: I just started “playing” in the fall of 1996. I have had instruction from a friend of mine who has a card stating that he is a PGA teaching pro. My problem is that I hit very consistantly 1 to 8 inches behind the ball with my irons and fairway woods. Maybe 2 out of 10 are sort of clean. Irons from the tee box are not affected, much. I come over the top of the ball with my driver and the ball goes very low to the left (I’m right handed) approximately 100 yards. My friend says that I am letting my hips clear too quickly but that my swing is looks good otherwise. The odd thing to me is that I was hitting my woods very well for a short period of time. I would like to know your opinion and what drills can be practiced to correct this problem. By the way, although he is good friend, we seldom agree on things.

Kim Brown:
Sounds like the hands are doing too much of the work in your swing. Try practicing with a glove under your left arm when swinging an 8 or 9 iron. By the way, disagreements are why we have friends!
I live in: THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS
My_name_is: BRAD CLAUSEN
comments: WHEN I’M STRIKING THE BALL POORLY, I TEND TO TAKE A NARROW DIVOT THAT IS ALSO DEEPER TOWARDS THE TOE. THE RESULTING BALL FLIGHT IS GENERALLY LOW WITH A DRAW OR HOOK. I HAVE A STRONG GRIP(V ON RIGHT HAND POINTED TO OUTSIDE SHOULDER). I’M ALSO TALL (6’6). THANKS

Kim Brown:
Clubs may be too flat. Also, sounds like your uppre body and arms are moving out “over the top” of your lower body which is why you are getting the toe deep divot.
I live in: Lakewood, NJ
My_name_is: Chris
comments: I’ve been playing for a few years and in that time I took one lesson from my local pro. He told me to “accelerate toward the target – first the legs, second the arms and lastly the hands”. I think I understand that the legs slide forward and the right hand should turn over at impact. My question is “when the arms accelerate, should I be consciously be thinking acclerate them HORIZONTALLY forward or is there some downward acceleration involved? Also, what part of the arms should I focus on accelerating?

Kim Brown:
I don’t like the thought of “sliding” the lower body. I would suggest more of a “coil and uncoil” type action. Don’t think of accelerating the club, think of swinging all the way to a full finish. That will accomplish your prior teachers goal and it is easier to do without a lot of thought.
I live in: detroit, mi
My_name_is: thomas livingston
comments: I haven’t replaced the grips on my clubs since I purchased the clubs in 1994. I’ve noticed that my play has deteriorated – I am starting to slice and chunk the ball. I’ve noticed my grips feeling kind of slick. How often should I regrip? I’ve been using an abrasive pad to make my grips more tacky; obviously, this hasn’t helped. Please give me advice on the necessity of regripping. Thank you.

Kim Brown:
Many players regrip once every few months . I would suggest at least once a year, even if you don’t play much because grips oxidize and dry out.
I live in: oregon
My_name_is: Lazzal
comments: tiger woods appears to use steel shafts in all his clubs is this going to change the buying practices for the general public regarding graphite and titanium shafts???

Kim Brown:
NO. Many tour players have played steel primarily for a long time. Most players need the extra help generating extra clubhead speed which Tiger does not.
I live in: Houston Texas
My_name_is: Joe Luciano
comments: I don’t seem to get enough distence on my iron shots is it that my clup head speed isn’t fast enough.

Kim Brown:
Yes. The keys are solidness of contact and clubhead speed.