Ask the PGA ProfessionalThis 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!
Last Updated: Oct 31
Bill Kennealy of Boca Raton,FL writes: I never picked a golf club up until about 7 months ago and I seem to
have picked the skills up pretty fast. I have been athletic my whole
life, particulary ice hockey. After 7 months I average around 86 and
follow all the USGA rules. I am now 25 years old and have been told by
some of my professional golf friends that I should take lessons and
participate in leagues. I feel that it might be too soon to pursue
this avenue. What advice do you have for me and what aspects of my
game are most important at this point in my short golf experience?
Kim Brown: Why would it be too soon? If you shoot in the 80's or 90's and know the basic rules and etiquette of the game, then it is not too soon to compete. There is no such thing as too soon to take lessons. The important part of taking lessons is to find someone who will provide you sound fundamentals and that can take advantage of your obvious athletic ability without getting overly technical and inhibiting that ability. Obviously, anytime you try "changes" there will be a period of time when you feel like you have paralysis by analysis. However, getting basic instruction is essential at some point to your continued improvement. Understand that everyone hits "plateaus" in their improvement and even takes a step backwards sometimes in the effort to get better. Good luck. Kim J. Brown
Terry asks: I have a bad problem of pulling the ballto the left of the green
with me 3,4,5,6,7 irons. can you help me please?
Kim Brown:
Tends to occur when the hands and arms become "disconnected" from the trunk of
the body (from a timing perspective). Also can happen if you tend to line up
with "open" shoulders. Try to square your shoulders, practice hitting balls
with a wedge with a glove under your left arm and swing to a good finish.
Kim
Ken Dodge in Lowell, Mass writes: I am 20 years old and a full time college student. I am interested
in becoming a PGA pro not to play on the tour, but to teach lessons or
own a course. I am currently employed at a local 9 hole public course in the pro shop.
In order to take the PAT you have to be working full time as an assistant to a pro.
My question is there any way my working experience now can help me become a pro quicker
or at least can my work now count towards the test? Thanks for your time!!
Kim Brown: Ken, please contact the Northern Texas PGA for help on these type of questions. Their web address is http://golfsw.com/ntpga/ntpmail.htm.
Alfred Gray in Atlanta, Georgia asks: What is the best way to draw the ball? I've read through a
a lot of golf magazines, but there never seems to be one good
consistent technique offered. Any tips?
Kim Brown: Pretend you are going to hit a shot to the right of the target. Line up and swing towards this imaginary target. Start out with the clubface to the left of that though (at the actual intended target) . Make a good shoulder turn and then think about pinching the elbows together throughout the swing.
Fred Funk of Dallas, TX writes: I have a real problem shanking the ball
from 70 yrs in what
are a few things i could work on.
Kim Brown:
1) gimmick = line the ball up on the hosel and purposely try to shank on the
driving range
2) corrective - focus on the finish position of your pitching motion and make
the goal of each practice swing , then the actual swing to achieve that finish
position NO MATTER WHAT. HOLD THAT FINISH position for a 3 count. Do this 50
times and the shank will be gone.
3) Keep your head stiller.
4) Keep your weight between your two feet.
5) Don't sweat it, it will go away!
Good Luck, Kim
John Jones of Aptos, CA writes:
I HAVE BEEN PLAYING GOLF FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS. I AM A
STRAIGHT HITTER. IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, I HAVE SUDDENLY
"LOST IT." I AM SLICING LIKE YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE; I AM
PLAYING LIKE A BEGINNER. WHAT HAS HAPPENED? HAVE I
FORGOTTEN THE FUNDAMENTALS? HELP PLEASE.
Kim Brown: Usually the result of active hands taking the clubhead off the target line and/or moving the club at a different rate then the body is "coiling and uncoiling". If you are ending up with your weight on the back foot, this would definitely be the case. Just practice swinging to a good finish position and hold the finish position for a 3 count. Try to keep your elbows close together at the moment of impact and then FINISH!
Larry Mooney of Edmond, OK
writes: I am considering purchasing a net to practice with. What
would be a good daily routine for using the net and what kind of
results should I expect. Also, concerning video taping my swing, how
can I train myself to look for swing flaws, etc.
Good idea for poor weather days. Other than that, go outside!
Kim Brown: Larry , that is a good idea for poor weather days. Other than that, go outside!
Jim Coggin of Woodbridge asks: What pressure ball should i use as a beginner?
Kim Brown: Compression is primarily an impact on the "feel" that you want. If a 100 compression feels to "hard", than try a 90 compression. If you are a male adult, I would not advise an 80 compression. (100 compression balls are always slightly the longest, but may not feel right to you).
Frank Fraley of Elgin, IL writes: I HAVE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY IN MY BACK SWING. WHAT WOULD YOU
RECOMMEND TO GAIN DISTANCE WITH MY WOODS? MY IRONS ARE NO PROBLEM!
THANKS
Kim Brown: Make sure your "hips" turn as well as your shoulders. Don't force your swing. The downswing can ONLY be the result of a backswing. Attempt to fully finish your swing and focus on swinging to a good finish position. If you are swinging across the ball, you may be putting too much loft on the shot so try to follow through a least a few inches past the ball directly towards the target.
Thanks to Kim Brown, PGA Master Professional for answering these questions.
Simply go to this form, to ask Kim your question.