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.

Kim Brown 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: March 5th

I live in: Rhode Island
My_name_is: Ken Sheehan
comments: I recently purchased a King Cobra Titanium Driver and am quite happy with my new found distance (my biggest problem was distance). I managed to get out once over Christmas break and found I was hitting some long slices (not fades - REAL slices) I overcame this by closing my stance, but then read quite a bit about using a "stronger" grip - more knuckles visible on my left hand at address - to get more wrist action. It seems that this is the same as closing the clubface at address. My question is - Is there a difference between closing the clubface and strngthening the grip? Please explain. Thanks - Ken

Kim Brown:
The strengthening of the grip's purpose is to cause better rotation of the forearms and to allow that to occur with the elbows fairly close together. Actually, it does promote the clubface squaring back up at contact but the general direction the clubface is headed should be from open to square at contact to closing towards the top of the finish. So YES, there is a difference.

I live in: Kenosha WI,USA
My_name_is: Kurt J. Mikutis
comments: I'm having alot of trouble with my slice, can you give me any pointers on how to fix this problem? Thank you...K.J.

Kim Brown:
Get a pro to check out the alignment of your shoulders. I would be they are pointed to the left of the target causing the swing path to be across the ball with an open clubface. Square up your shoulders, take a full shoulder turn, keep your elbows close together throughout the swing. Try to "pinch" your elbows together at contact with the ball and swing to a full finish.

I live in: Navasota, Texas
My_name_is: Lynn D. Johnston
comments: I hit the ball very good, 260+ with a driver and 160 with a 7 iron. Lately, I have been pulling the ball to the left. WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM DOING???? HELP!!!

Kim Brown:
Shoulders probably open at address. Something is causing the clubface to be slightly closed and the path of the swing is headed left of the target line at impact.

live in: Sweden
My_name_is: Loket Bingolotto
comments: I have a 12.5 handicap because I kill the ball when I swing which prohibits me from course management play. What is your suggestion to obtain the maximum distance while at the same time lowering my handicap to under 3.5? 3.5 is my goal this year, can I reach this goal?

Kim Brown:
Depends on how willing you are to work on your short game from 90 yards in. I would suggest a big focus on the short game and a mind set of getting the ball in play off the tee.

I live in: Chilliwack, B.C. Canada
My_name_is: Lois Thody
comments: Is the grip for irons and woods the same?

Kim Brown:
Yes.

I live in: Redding, Ca
My_name_is: Meredith Scharton
comments: We have seen many private golf courses, golf groups, etc. collect money and set up a fund for players who have a hole-in-one. Is it or is it not illegal to accept money for a hole-in-one? We are talking about average players, people who play on week-ends, retirees, etc. Are they too forced to give up amateur status in order to accept these usually small checks? This is a great controversy among our group and we would appreciate an answer as soon as possible. Thank you very much

Kim Brown:
These are considered "hole in one clubs" and I have never seen anyone made ineligible for USGA events because of them. However, the original concept of the club is not to make money, but to cover the costs of a round of drinks at the lounge!

I live in: Longmeadow MA USA
My_name_is: Maury O'Connor
comments: When I hit my irons, my habit is to hit a scoop shot,not hiting down on the ball and not taking a divit. I loose distance because my ball goes high. How can I break this long time habit? I'm 56 and with a 14 handicap. Thank you.

Kim Brown:
Sounds like you are laterally "sliding" on the downswing. Make sure your weight gets back on the right foot on the backswing and "uncoil" to the left side on the downswing. Feel like your hands "drop off the table" to start the downswing but keep the goal of swinging to a full finish in mind.

I live in: Peachtree City, GA
My_name_is: Nancy Blair
comments: Should a high school golfer be enrolled in a weight lifting class during the golf season? In the class, they lift four days a week and do aerobic activity one day. On lifting days, they do 6 sets of 6 reps with various free weights, then do "burn-outs" -- lift the same weight until they can't lift anymore. We're arguing with the school about this. What's your view?

Kim Brown:
The school has other objectives in mind than golf, obviously. Weight training is an excellent tool for tuning the body. However, "burn outs" are for building bulk, not flexibility and the right kind of strength for golf.

I live in: Stockholm Sweden
My_name_is: Niklas Kronstedt
comments: Will they play in 1998 a tourmaint in Swiden at the golfclub PGA at kungsSngen???

Kim Brown:
Not sure, sorry. Contact the PGA of America at their website "pga.com"

I live in: Bethalto IL USA
My_name_is: Ray Burns
comments: We are interested in trying to design our own putter, and would like to know how I can get a copy of the rules that govern the design characteristics of putters. Can you please help us. Thank you very much.

Kim Brown:
Write or call the USGA in Far Hills, New Jersey. The basic guidelines, however, are in any official USGA rules of golf book.

I live in: Rice Lake, WI, United States
My_name_is: Bob Lisi
comments: Please describe a powerful yet controlled turn for the golf swing. For example, where should the weight be distributed at the peak of the swing before the follow through? also, are there any exercizes to help balance the swing so that weight is not shifted to the wrong parts?

Kim Brown:
I like the following sequence of movements:
*Hands and arms start the club back (hands move until arms are even with right hip)
* Shoulders turn next - parallel to the ground
* Hips turn about 1/2 as much as the shoulders
* Then reverse the process on the downswing.
* Balance should stay in between the insides of the two feet but should coil most of the weight into a flexed, but stable right side on the backswing. Uncoil to the left side on the downswing but in the order mentioned above.
* Swing to a full finish with the belt buckle pointed to the target and you should end up standing fairly upright on the left foot and the club should have totally finished.

why should I spend 800.00 for taylor made burner bubbles when for 189.00 i can get knock offs that are identical?

Kim Brown:
Tell me.?.?

I live in: Yokosuka Japan (stationed here in the Navy) My_name_is: Roger Simmons
comments: Mr. Brown,
I've been playing golf for approxiatemately 4 years. I've always had a pretty good iron game and sometimes (30%) shoot in the low 80's (hdcp 17). Over the last few month, I got a glich in my iron swing which results in a shank mishit 70-90 degrees to the right. I can usually lenghten my swing width by keeping my the head closer to the ground on the take away and stay away from the glitch on the first nine, but by the back nine it is back no matter what I do. It feel if though the club head is not coming back square to the ball and there is usually a large divot (deeper than normal of course). But no matter what I try, it seems to get worse.
My first question, is this common for someone to lose their iron swing after playing for a number of years? My second question is when you get a glitch, should you stop practicing for a while. (I normally go to the driving range (with mats?) 3 to 4 times a week for 2 hours at a time. Lastly, what can I do to get rid of this glitch. Desparate for help. Thank you very much for your time, Roger

Kim Brown:
I have been there and done that. I almost quit golf my sophomore year in college and had averaged 73.1 the full year before playing new courses in the northeast in really bad weather. I averaged 81 that season due to the "laterals".
Hang in there and keep a realistic approach to fixing the problem . I like a particular gimmick which consists of taking 25 balls and intentionally trying to shank all 25. Usually, towards the end of the session, you could not shank it if you wanted to. It is not that unusual. Just try to stay still and swing to the finish regardless of your expected outcome.......good luck.

I live in: FL, U.S.
My_name_is: Raymond Sapp
comments: What would you suggest to someone who is interested in designing, developing, constructing and marketing a golf practice facility?

Kim Brown:
Contact Lee Singletary at his web site in golf in the southwest. He is the expert in that regard.

I live in: E. Lansing, MI, USA
My_name_is: Javier Sanchez
comments: Am I correct I thinking that a bigger arc is one factor that will lead to hitting the ball farther? I think that my swing is too flat. What are some techniques I could do to make a fuller arc?

Kim Brown:
Maintain the radius of the left arm by taking a bigger turn and do not lift the club with your hands. Allow the hips to turn at least 1/2 as much as the shoulders and "reach for the sky".....the trick is to do that without manipulating the club with your hands. Always focus on making a full finsih motion with the body.

I live in: Louisville, KY
My_name_is: Jon Eckert
comments: I have not seen much golf on TV yet this season, therefore I must have missed something. I am noticing that they are playing in 3-somes this year. Will this be season long and what were the reasons?

Kim Brown:
Depends on the event, but most tour events do play in 3 somes.

I live in: boise idaho u.s.a
My_name_is: steve confalone
comments: most of my shots i hit start out straight then the ball starts to go to the right. does grip have anything to do with this

Kim Brown:
Your swing path sounds fairly straight but with an open clubface at the moment of impact. The grip may have a small role in it, but mostly you need to get the club squared up at contact........try keeping the elbows close together at impact and swing to a full finish.

I live in: Evans Head NSW Australia
My_name_is: Steve Curtin
comments: What should I be attending to correct a slice, usually only with my wood shots?

Kim Brown:
Get a pro to check out the alignment of your shoulders. I would be they are pointed to the left of the target causing the swing path to be across the ball with an open clubface. Square up your shoulders, take a full shoulder turn, keep your elbows close together throughout the swing. Try to "pinch" your elbows together at contact with the ball and swing to a full finish.

I live in: Trinidad W.I
My_name_is: H.Jacelon
comments: how does a pro like you hold the golf club ? please explain in detail (grip the club).
thanks, your biggest fan.

Kim Brown:
Place the grip across the base of the fingers of the left hand....not in the palm, not out in the fingers. Roll the left thumb to straight down the grip reminder line on the grip. Place the right hand as close to the left as possible and the palms of your two hands should be almost facing each other..
Either overlap, interlock, or 10 finger the grip......it does not matter as long as above is accomplished. Grip pressure is more important. Firm, but not tight with the last 3 fingers of the left hand and everything else is pretty light pressure.

I live in: PORTER, INDIANA
My_name_is: WAYNE A. LEMP
comments: WHEN I SWING IRONS OR WOODS I HAVE TO AIM FOR A SPOT AT LEAST ONE CLUB HEAD CLOSER TO ME THAN WHERE THE BALL IS, OTHER WISE I WILL ALWAYS SHANK THE BALL OR NEVER HIT THE SWEET SPOT. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG ?

Kim Brown:
Your arms are forcing the club "over the top" onto a more upright swing plane on the downswing then on the backswing. Try practicing with a glove or hankerchief under the left arm pit while you hit fairly full wedges. Need to stay "connected" during the swing

I live in: Gibsonia, PA, USA> My_name_is: Steve Turkall comments: I am a 12 handicap and I am able to work the ball both ways (right-to-left and left-to-right). Unfortunately, sometimes I overwork it or I draw when I'm trying to fade. This opens the window for error significantly. Should I stick to one ball flight path?

Kim Brown:
Everybody should have a "vanilla" shot....each day you should know that you are either going to hit it straight OR it will fade (for example). Working the ball should only be for situational shots.

I live in: College Station, TX
My_name_is: Mike Lee
comments: What is a good drill to practice to assure that I clear my hips? I have occasional problems pulling my woods and long irons left. Thanks.

Kim Brown:
Think about "straighening" the left leg at the point of contact.

I live in: Louisville, KY.
My_name_is: Bob Tuell
comments: My swing produces straight or slightly faded shots, but lack normal distance. I am 54 and no longer get as much hip rotation as in younger days. Often feel "tied up" or lack rythum. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Kim Brown:
Get a pro to check out the alignment of your shoulders. I would be they are pointed to the left of the target causing the swing path to be across the ball with an open clubface. Square up your shoulders, take a full shoulder turn, keep your elbows close together throughout the swing. Try to "pinch" your elbows together at contact with the ball and swing to a full finish

I live in: Irving, TX
My_name_is: Jim Linker
comments: I am a 10 hdcp. who has played for 15 yrs. with a homemade, 10 finger, "baseball" grip. Recently, I have switched from a std. sized blade set of Lynx irons to a knock-off, oversize, Tommy Armour 855 model iron. Now, I cannot hit an iron without the ball pushing right. I am leaving the clubface open on every shot. My shots with my old clubs are accurate. My question is, can the oversized clubs with some weight distributed in the toe cause my club face to stay open? What else could cause the face to stay open. It is very aggrevating and as of this week, I am going back to my old Lynx irons. Thank you for your time. JL

Kim Brown:
Sounds like they are either too stiff, too heavy, or too flat of a lie for you. No the oversized clubs design would not cause you to leave the club open.....it is probably some other characteristic as mentioned above.

I live in: yarmouth,n.s.,canada
My_name_is: frank throp
comments: in 1896 pro amateur chinnocock n.y.and runner up. who were they

Kim Brown:
don't know, sorry.

I live in: texas
My_name_is: ed
comments: I have had a stress fracture of my left hand two times in the past two years, caused by golf. Is there a way or special equipment ie grips you would suggest to help prevent recurance of chronic problem?

Kim Brown:
Man, that is a tough one there. I'm sorry but that sounds more medical in nature than golf related. I suppose there is some type of compensating grip with your right hand you can take, but not sure what to tell you.

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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