Golf Questions Answered
Do you have a question about golf? Something that needs clearing up about the rules of golf or would you like to know about different swing and golfing techniques?
If you have then please feel free to ask Bill Castner and he will do his best to reply with his weekly round up of Golf Questions Answered.
I am a sports member at Shackamaxon and your name was given to me by the Assistant Golf Pro, Scott Barnaby.
I suffered a disc herniation and disc bulge in the lower back at the beginning of this golf season (Memorial Day weekend). I just completed physical therapy and am looking for a golf professional with experience working with back problems.
Do you have experience with this, or can you recommend someone in our area that I can work with. I reside and work in the Warren/Green Brook area.
Comment by Martin Allen — September 17, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Mr. Allen,
I am sorry to hear about your injury. I am glad you are still interested in playing golf.
The pivot is a very important component of any person’s golf swing. A herniated disc and bulge in the lower back make it very difficult and painful to pivot.
I suggest you eliminate the pivot in your swing as much as possible. Stand with your feet very close together. I suggest making a swing with very little torque. Most professionals create distance through torque. You will create power with your arms and wrists, not body.
This is the sequence:
Feet close together
Arms swing up
Wrists Cock but do not bend
Arms Swing Down
Wrists Release
Limited Follow Through
Zero Weight Transfer
Start with small swings. Gradually lengthen your backswing.
I do not have any formal training in teaching people with back injuries but have had the pleasure of coaching many people with physical issues.
If you want to spend some time together, please call Hyatt Hills golf Shop 732.669.9100 and they will set up an appointment.
Good Luck and lastly, please keep your doctor involved.
Bill
Comment by Golfinnyc Team — September 17, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
I have been searching the Internet to try to find a golf ruling on a club that I have been carrying in my bag. I have heard it called a “Double Trouble”, and it is a chipping club that has a club face on both sides of the club head so that it can be hit right- or left-handed. I never thought of it being illegal until somebody mentioned that it possibly was.
Can you confirm this for me, please?
Comment by Chuck Henry — September 17, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
Chuck,
Fortunately or Unfortunately, rule 4-1/3 specifically answers your question. “Double Trouble”, can get you disqualified!
Q. What Rules apply to “chippers”?
A. A “chipper” is an iron club designed primarily for use off the putting green, generally with a loft greater than ten degrees. As most players adopt a “putting stroke” when using a chipper, there can be a tendency to design the club as if it was a putter. To eliminate confusion, the Rules which apply to “chippers” include:
(1) The club must not be designed to be adjustable except for weight (Appendix II, 1b);
(2) The shaft must be attached to the clubhead at the heel (Appendix II, 2c);
(3) The grip must be circular in cross-section (Appendix II, 3(i)) and only one grip is permitted (Appendix II, 3(v));
(4) The clubhead must be generally plain in shape (Appendix II, 4a) and have only one striking face (Appendix II, 4c); and
(5) The face of the club must conform to specifications with regard to hardness, surface roughness, material and markings in the impact area (Appendix II, 5).
Comment by Golfinnyc Team — September 17, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
Bill this isn’t a question…..rather just to compliment you on this site.
Comment by Kate — November 21, 2007 @ 4:57 am
dear sir
I carry a usga 16hc. and I found out that when I hit my drives I’m getting a negitive ball spin can you tell me why and how can I get forward spin on my drives?
thank you
albert farinas
Comment by albert farinas — November 28, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Albert,
Thank you for your question. If you actually made a golf stroke that put forward swing on the golf ball, it would be impossible for the ball to become airborne. The ball would go out for a couple of yards and then dive into the ground.
Your goal is not to put forward spin on the ball but less backspin! Try to accomplish a high launch angle (12 degrees is ideal) and less spin (1,800 to 2,100 RPM is ideal).
Things to look for:
Ball Position - Insure the golf ball is opposite your front heel.
Tee Height - Insure that the ball is half above the top of the club head and half below.
Driver Loft - Do you have so little loft that you must hit too far down on the ball to spin it.
Club Shaft - Is your club shaft too whippy?
Kick Point - Adjust the kick point to eliminate spin.
Finally, do a driver fitting. Most golf shops or stores offer Launch Monitors that give you exact information. They will tell you launch angle, spin rate, club head speed, ball speed, side spin, total carry. Club fitters know what ranges these should fall in to maximize your distance. They should start with your current driver to get a baseline. Then start to experiment until you find a club or specs that maximize distance.
Comment by Bill Castner — November 28, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
As seen on golfmedic.net
I recently read this on golfmedic.net. I had to reply. Please add your thoughts on head movement. Is it necessary? Is it good or bad? Post here or e-mail me at castnerpga@gmail.com.
Head Movement
Problem
You look up too soon to see where the ball is going or try to keep your head perfectly still.
Cure
Do not look up at the ball until you complete the swing; if you do, you are likely to slice or pull the ball. A little head movement during your swing is natural due to the way your neck and shoulders move away and towards the target. Once your swing is complete, your head will naturally turn towards the target then you can watch the ball. If you try too hard to keep your head down, you might not make a full shoulder turn. You might even notice some swaying because you prevented your forward shoulder from moving under your chin because it was resting on your chest.
Therapy
Look at the ball, keep your chin off of your chest, and take a normal swing. Your forward shoulder should move under your chin during the backswing if you make a full shoulder turn. Notice how your trailing shoulder passes under your chin during the follow through. Let this motion push your head up to look at the target as your arms are completing the swing.
Bill Castner’s Reply
If your head moves during the swing it will tend to change the clubhead arc. This makes solid impact very difficult. Why allow the head to move during the swing if it is possible to keep it still?
Moving the head complicates the swing.
If the head is moving the golfer probably has a posture (address position), a balance, or a flexibility issue. As stated, keep that head high and look at the ball. Specifically, look at the inside of the ball. For a right handed golfer it is very important to look at the lower-left -quadrant of the golf ball!
Comment by Bill Castner — November 30, 2007 @ 11:59 am
How do you get onto the Golfer’s Golf Forum?
Comment by Bill Castner — December 3, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
Dear Bill
plan to be in NYC area around easter week and would like to get a professional fit/swing analysis (something similar to what Taylormande Performance center in Fla does) I live overseas and this would be a good chance to do it. Any suggestions?
thanks a million
Julian
hcp 15
irons callaway x-20
driver ping rapture 10.5
hybrid cobra baffler tour
Comment by Julian — January 30, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Dear Bill,
Just a question, My father has become so engrossed in the rules that he is making the play of the game not enjoyable. He insists on pointing out each and every rule infraction during the round, and even telling members of his group what they “really” would have shot had the followed the rules. His coaching on every tee is also getting a little old, it really detracts from enjoying the game. We are going to Florida this winter to play with him, we consider it a bonus to be able to play during the winter, dont really care about the score and consider it practice, but he wont let up with the rule thing. He insists that if your not playing by the rules, you’re not playing golf. Is he right? As beginers should we learn all the rules and follow them faithfully even though its not a competition or for money? or can we play just to have fun without so much emphasis on the rules. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Mark Blake
Comment by Mark Blake — February 18, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
How many 72 hole LPGA vs 54 holes ? how long has it been this way ?
Comment by E. Calvin — February 28, 2008 @ 9:36 pm