Joe,
A golfer notices his opponent spitting on his club before a shot, and calls a penalty for applying foreign material. Was this correct?
Answer: That is correct, the USGA considers saliva a foreign material.
Jody, my Evil Twin, what do you think of that ruling?
Answer: Is there that much difference between spit and water? No. Does that mean I cannot wash dirt off my club without being penalized? If some purist tries to do that to me, I will be spitting on more than just my club.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Joe,
My long irons and woods have a very low trajectory almost a line drive in Baseball. My low irons are for the most part high. (P-7I) My line drives are on line to target or draw to the target. The driver sometimes does not get above 12 - 15 feet. I am puzzled.
Len Hess
Holland, MA
Hello Len,
It sounds like your shafts might be too tip-stiff and your driver’s loft is too low for your type of swing. Try to attend demo days where you can try a variety of different shafts and lofts. Some driving ranges have demo clubs to borrow, or check with your friends to see if their shafts are different, and if so, invite them to the range with you so you can try their clubs.
Joe
My long irons and woods have a very low trajectory almost a line drive in Baseball. My low irons are for the most part high. (P-7I) My line drives are on line to target or draw to the target. The driver sometimes does not get above 12 - 15 feet. I am puzzled.
Len Hess
Holland, MA
Hello Len,
It sounds like your shafts might be too tip-stiff and your driver’s loft is too low for your type of swing. Try to attend demo days where you can try a variety of different shafts and lofts. Some driving ranges have demo clubs to borrow, or check with your friends to see if their shafts are different, and if so, invite them to the range with you so you can try their clubs.
Joe
Monday, July 04, 2005
Joe,
What can I do to prevent hitting the ground behind the ball, or they call it hitting fat? I'm new to golf and just cannot stop hitting the ground.Thank you,Mickey
Hello Mickey,
There are a number of possible reasons for this. If you are not shifting your weight properly on the downswing, from the back leg to the front leg, your swing will bottom out before the club gets to the ball. Also, if you do not keep your head steady, you do not know where your swing will bottom out. Also, if you do not keep your leading arm reasonably straight, the arc of your swing will vary, so you can improve your consistency by focusing on these 3 areas. Good luck.
Joe
What can I do to prevent hitting the ground behind the ball, or they call it hitting fat? I'm new to golf and just cannot stop hitting the ground.Thank you,Mickey
Hello Mickey,
There are a number of possible reasons for this. If you are not shifting your weight properly on the downswing, from the back leg to the front leg, your swing will bottom out before the club gets to the ball. Also, if you do not keep your head steady, you do not know where your swing will bottom out. Also, if you do not keep your leading arm reasonably straight, the arc of your swing will vary, so you can improve your consistency by focusing on these 3 areas. Good luck.
Joe
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Joe,
I have always considered myself to be decent around the greens, not great or stellar, but above average. I think that is why on days when I’m not hitting well off the tee I can make up for a few strokes by 1 or 2 putting instead of 3 putting, but here lately what I have been having trouble with is chipping/pitching. I have tried using a 5,6,7,8,9 iron when around the green and a pitch, 50, or sand wedge when pitching. My main problem has been; I can’t get the ball to check up on the greens anymore for some reason and now am scared to hit the ball correctly knowing that if I hit it to firm it’s going to roll all the way off the green and with some of the greens we have at our home course that is the last thing you want to do! I know confidence is part of it, but what can I do to or what I have done to stop getting the ball to check up? Thanks for any continuing support you can share with me!
Chad
Hi Chad,
I have found the same thing. The ball will only check up only when the conditions are plush like the courses on TV. When conditions are firm like most public courses, the ball will skid instead of checking up, so don’t even try under firm conditions. However if your conditions are plush and you want the ball to check up, make sure you always clean the grooves on your irons and wedges, otherwise you will lose spin. Using a high-spin ball may help also. Use a lofted club and strike the ball with a descending blow with the hands leading the clubhead all the way thru.
Joe
I have always considered myself to be decent around the greens, not great or stellar, but above average. I think that is why on days when I’m not hitting well off the tee I can make up for a few strokes by 1 or 2 putting instead of 3 putting, but here lately what I have been having trouble with is chipping/pitching. I have tried using a 5,6,7,8,9 iron when around the green and a pitch, 50, or sand wedge when pitching. My main problem has been; I can’t get the ball to check up on the greens anymore for some reason and now am scared to hit the ball correctly knowing that if I hit it to firm it’s going to roll all the way off the green and with some of the greens we have at our home course that is the last thing you want to do! I know confidence is part of it, but what can I do to or what I have done to stop getting the ball to check up? Thanks for any continuing support you can share with me!
Chad
Hi Chad,
I have found the same thing. The ball will only check up only when the conditions are plush like the courses on TV. When conditions are firm like most public courses, the ball will skid instead of checking up, so don’t even try under firm conditions. However if your conditions are plush and you want the ball to check up, make sure you always clean the grooves on your irons and wedges, otherwise you will lose spin. Using a high-spin ball may help also. Use a lofted club and strike the ball with a descending blow with the hands leading the clubhead all the way thru.
Joe
