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: April 7th

Kim Brown:
Full shoulder turn, slightly inside the target line in regard to swing path, feel like you "pinch" your elbows together at contact and full finish.

Kim Brown:
When you practice, alternate hitting shots with a 7 wood then a drive, 7 wood then a driver, etc. Try to eliminate the mental block with the driver as it is obvious you make a forced swing with it due to lack of confidence. You should make sure you use a fairly lofted driver as well.

Kim Brown:
Slice is when the ball curves severely to the right for a right handed golfer. I enjoy the game for lots of different reasons; nature, the challenge, etc. I am the professional at Keeton Park GC in Dallas, Texas. Have played with Wayne Levi, Joey Sindelar, Mike Hulbert, DA Weibring to name a few. Thanks for your note.

Kim Brown:
Similar problem is experienced by many of us. We try too hard and do not allow our selves to swing from feel. We get on the course and anticipate results, instead of staying out of our "head". Focus on a good finish position instead of the swing itself or a possible result of the shot. Good luck!

Kim Brown:
Depends on the nature of the round you are playing. If you are playing for practice and you can keep up the pace of play, ok. I would suggest hitting the 2nd ball, but playing the original ball.

Kim Brown:
Sounds like your hands are too active, regardless of positions. Focus on turning the big muscles, the arms to follow the lead of those big muscles, and the hands to be "quiet" or still on the club.

Kim Brown:
You will need to first find a position full time in an approved position as an assistant professional, etc. You then enroll with the PGA Apprentice Program AFTER passing the Playing Ability Test and attending the Professional Readiness Orientation. You must have worked full time in an eligible position for at least 6 months before enrolling in the apprentice program. The Golf Professional Training Program takes a minimum of 3 years but a maximum of 6 years to complete and you must be working full time. Contact the NTPGA for details at (972)881-GOLF. Good luck to you.

Kim Brown:
Full shoulder turn, proper shoulder alignment prior to the swing (most of us tend to leave our shoulders open at address), leave our elbows close together throughout the swing in order to get the appropriate feel of "releasing" the club on the downswing. The slice or fade is caused by a swing path that is across the target line with the clubface being open (or to the right) at impact.

Kim Brown:
Pick out specific distance targets when you practice in addition to directional targets. Visualize playing a certain hole when you hit balls. Hit the drive and then the resulting 2nd shot, etc. Quality practice requires some imagination. Try to make your practice sessions assimilate conditions that you encounter when you play.

Kim Brown:
Use the tee. Sounds like your alignment sneaks to the right so when you "leave it right" you may be in fact making a pretty good pass at the ball. Develop a "vanilla" shot. One that either goes straight or only curves in one direction or the other. This is a big key to scoring better.

Kim Brown:
Male - 108-118 mph, Female - 95-105 mph

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