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Bill Crowley is our resident golf swing expert, former PGA Teaching pro, and all around good guy.

Having trouble with your golf swing? Need a tip on strategy? How to practice? Just ask Bill!

Bill will do his best to post his solution to your problem right here in this forum. As always, try to visit the archives below to see if your question may have already been answered. But since this is a new web site with a brand new ASK B.C. page, you might as well just go ahead and ask!

Click here to submit your question to Bill Crowley.

Bill Crowley

PAST QUESTIONS ARCHIVE

Miss Too Many Short Putts

Stiff or regular shafts?

Hybrid clubs for older golfer?

Great at range, inconsistent on course

Buy Blades or Cavity Back Irons?

Trouble with early release and scooping

Oversized Grips?

Lie of club...toe up or flat?

Bends left arm and lifts heel

Popping up his woods

Hitting everything too high!

Help "re-finding" putting stroke

"Rounded Back" at impact

Sometimes hook, sometimes slice

Divots too deep on short irons

Fast Greens

SHANKS

Swing Speed and Proper Fitting Clubs

All Wrapped Up In Shaft Flex, Kick Points and Over Tweaking?

Ball Position

Stack and Tilt or reverse pivot?

Mis-Hits towards the heel

Hitting the sweet spot

Correct Hip Position at Impact

One Hip shorter than other. Adjust setup?

Crowley's Corner Tips

Pre Tournament Checklist

How to stop sucking at golf!

MISSING TOO MANY SHORT PUTTS

(April 08)

Hey Bill, I miss more than my share of "gimmie" short putts. Any suggestions on how I can get my confidence back? I'm an overall decent putter, but I must miss at least one or two 2 footers a round. (10hdcp)...Joe, Texas.

Joe, you should not have confidence issues on 2 footers if you are a decent putter and hold a 10 hdcp. Before you next round bang in 20 in a row on the practice green and take that feel to the course. Nerves can cause the big muscles (arms & shoulders) to slow down and the small muscles (hands & wrists) to speed up. The best cure for nerves is practice and the confidence success during practice brings to your game on the course.

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STIFF OR REGULAR SHAFTS?

(May 08)

Bill, I hit the ball around 260 off the tee. I normally hit it pretty straight but if I do miss hit it's usually a hook. I'm playing stiff shafts now, but I'm considering buying new clubs and want your opinion whether I should get stiff or regular shafts. Thanks. Jim, Sunny California.

Hi Jim, congratulations, 260 of the tee works just fine! Stick with the stiff shafts. If you have a tight hole with trouble on the left you might want to consider hitting your 3 wood just to be safe. A good player (260 off the tee), whose hooks get out of control typically needs to address a swing path that might be coming from too far inside. The better player has the talent to turn the hands at impact to try and square the club to compensate for the inside-out swing path. So it will either work (hit it straight) or be overdone(hook).

It is usually the set-up and back swing path that dictates your downswing path. Look at that first. Try bringing the club back on a straight line from the ball on your back swing for the first 18". This will get you on the proper, more upright swing plane going back, which should continue into your downswing.

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HYBRIDS FOR OLDER PLAYERS OR EVERYONE?

(May 08)

Bill,

I am a 70 year old golfer and use a load of FW metals 1,3,5,7, and 9. I usually keep the driver at home and hit the #3 off the tee. Question is: are FW metals or hybrids best for the older player. I've never used a hybrid and would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks, Dick

Hi Dick, Thanks for the good question. The hybrids, or utility clubs as they are sometimes called are finding their way into a lot of players bags, even the pro's! (David Toms used a hybrid for his hole in one in the final round of the PGA championship!) These clubs are basically a cross between a fairway "wood" and a long iron. The center of gravity has been moved back and to the bottom of the club, something you can't do with a "regular" long iron. The face on most of these clubs is "flat", rather than rounded, or having that "bulge" that your usual fairway wood has. This causes the ball to climb higher with a higher spin rate than with a fairway wood. You might even want to consider a "hybrid set", where the clubs are matched but the low irons are actually hybrids to give you that added forgiveness that you wouldn't get with a standard iron. (usually the 3 and 4 iron in these sets are hybrids, sometimes the 5 as well.)

So after all that!.. Yes, I think a hybrid set would be a good choice, especially if you use a lot of fairway metal clubs now. The one "drawback" to these clubs is finding one that appeals to you, as they sure look a little "odd" if you're not used to them. But since you're already hitting a 9 wood, you should slide right into 'em like butter!

These clubs are certainly not just for an older player or the ladies either. They're solid clubs that are being used by players such as Ernie Ells, Stuart Appleby, Steve Flesh, and Retief Goosen to name a few. They're also great for chipping around the green, and they even seem to fly farther when you throw them after a bad shot!

Good luck!

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SLICE CURE?

(June 08)

Hi Bill,

Thanks for taking my question. I can’t get rid of my slice. Once in a while I can manage a long fade, but usually I’m playing from the other fairway. I also hit a few balloon shots off the tee from time to time. I don’t hit it that long, maybe 250-275 on a good poke. I’ve tried everything. Any suggestions? I’m 58 years old, have been playing for about 10 years. If I could lose this slice it would be a lot more fun!

Tom
Tampa Florida

Hi Tom,

First of all you must be some strong dude. 58 years old and fairly new to the game with a big slice that gets you 250-275 yards off the tee. I'd like to know who's in your 4-some if you don't consider that long. With that club head speed a 3-wood off the tee would work on 90% of the holes. Slices and balloon shots are caused by a steep approach from the outside on the downswing rather than a shallower approach from the inside. Funny enough the way to address this flaw is in an improved setup and/or back swing. There could be numerous causes but 2 of the more common reasons are the grip and the arms disconnecting from the body on the back swing. Re grip a backup 6 iron and driver with a those special grips that force your hands into the right position on the handle. Work thru the awkwardness of how it feels with practice and try to trust it on the course. A great drill for the 2nd issue(one piece swing) is putting a towel under your left armpit(righties) and hit balls making sure it doesn't fall out on the back swing.

Bill

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PLAYING IN THE WIND

(July '08)

Hi Bill,

Do you have any tips for playing in the wind?

Karen

Hello Karen,

Besides the tip of not spitting into the wind(It's a guy thing), just take one extra club to compensate for the yardage change, (ball won't fly as far into the wind with your normal swing),then take one more club,(total of "2 clubs more")so you can swing more smoothly and balanced. The ball will stay lower with less backspin.(won't upshoot) If hit solidly this shot will make it through even the toughest of winds.

To recap and be clear, you're looking at taking a 5 iron instead of say a 7 iron into a strong wind and swinging very smoothly. This will keep the flight down with a more roll and you'll be sure to get it there with optimum control. Got it? Good Luck!

Bill

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HELP WITH MY SLICE!

(July 08)

Bill,

I'm new to golf and i have a really bad slice with me driver no matter what i do when i swing my driver the ball will slice in to the other fairway and it will only go about 175 yards if I'm lucky. I have tried a stronger grip and a weaker grip but nothing will make it fly in the same fairway and the harder i swing the more it will slice now I'm not looking for a 300 yard drive but i would like to try to keep the ball in the same fairway would make me happy. My friends tell me i stand crooked and sometime i swing the club like a bat i know the problem is in my swing/stance/grip but they can't help me and i don't have a clue on what to do. Can you help?

Thanks for your time,

Scott

Hi Scott

If you had been playing for 10 years or so I would tell you that you’re a mess. However, you are new to the game and haven’t consulted with a PGA Professional. As a past PGA Professional I can tell you that some are better than others, with no bad ones, and as a whole an extremely qualified group with lots of patience. Find one you like and trust and take the first step to an improved technique. If he or she has video capabilities, make sure you take advantage of them. And going forward let all advice from your friends go in one ear and out the other. They may notice something unusual (which is not necessarily bad), but are not trained to find the root cause(s) of the flaw. You’ll soon be better then them anyway.

Good Luck!

Bill

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CAUSE OF LOSS OF DISTANCE

(August 08)

Hi Bill,

My problem is almost complete loss of power. On the range preseason, I hit my 7 iron 150 yards, now I'm pulling it out for 130. Also, my warm-up swings seems smooth and effortless, but set up to the ball and I tense up and more often than not hit behind the ball. Don't know if these are two problems, but fixing either one would be a big help!

Thanks, Don

Hello Don,

You need to find a swing that is reliable and can find the center of the club face when it counts! Practice swings and even the range game is a whole different animal. When you are on the course playing for keeps it is normal for tension(pressure) to creep in and tighten up the technique. Garcia and Harrington had to deal with it over the last 9 holes in the PGA. Take a series of lessons with a PGA Pro to sure up your form (and confidence) and when the normal pressure appears in a round you will be better able to deal with it. Jack Nicklaus used to say if he wasn't nervous and feeling pressure on the 1st tee there was a problem. He always shot lower scores when it really counted. Nerves & pressure are good things and expected so don't be afraid to welcome them.

Good Luck,

Bill

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ONLY SLICES DRIVER

(August 08)

Hello,

I am a lefty, and my drives go straight for about 100 to 150 yards then take a left turn. My irons are straight, my 3 and 5 woods are also going left after a so many yards but not near as drastically an the ball does from the driver. I have tried everything that I can think of or the golf instructor had suggested and nothing seems to work. Although when I go take the driver back s-l-o-w-l-y and bring it through the ball does seem to not slice as bad. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bob Peterson

Hello Bob...........If a golfer puts the exact same slice move on a driver and a 7 iron the driver will always slice more for 2 reasons. The more relevant one is that the 7 iron has much more backspin(because of the loft) to offset the side spin than the driver does. The 2nd reason is that since a driver travels farther there is more time for the slice to continue. A common cause for the slice is the hands and arms going out and across(over the top) on the downswing. This common disconnection from the body going down all too often starts in the back swing. A slower start to the swing is giving you a better chance for a connected(one piece) takeaway and thus a better position at impact. If no progress is being made with your teacher it may be time to call another PGA professional.

Bill

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INCONSISTENT ON COURSE

(August 08)

Hi Bill,

Just looking at the I Suck At Golf web site, what a great idea! Just a quick question I was hoping you could shed some light on and maybe offer a few helpful tips.

I've been taking lessons for about 8 weeks which have gone well and the teaching pro is happy with my progress. I hit the ball fantastic at the range, usually with a slight draw. However come Saturday at my local club I'm very inconsistent. I can go from a run of pars and the odd birdie to playing like a hacker and spraying the ball everywhere and making stupid scores which ruin a potentially good round.

My teaching pro doesn't really understand saying i should be playing to a 10-12 handicap, but my official handicap is 20. Any tips would be massively helpful as its starting to make me go crazy and very frustrated.

Paul K.

Hi Paul,

If you haven't been playing long(less than 5 years) I think you are following a natural progression(it can be frustrating, though) of taking it from the range to the course. As your technique improves the pressure of playing for real will effect the swing negatively less and less. However, If you are a seasoned golfer and this is happening give yourself some more time(8 weeks is really not that long for a consistent change in the fundamentals). At some point if your technique is not improving enough to be more consistent when it matters, it might be time for a new PGA pro to get involved. Till then when it's falling apart on the links out think your flaws: Fairways off the tee(even if its a 5-iron), know yardages to traps and hazards and choose a club that can't put you in them, have a "go to shot"(any club and any swing) that keeps you in play, and improve your putting and chipping. For now enjoy the challenge that a "bad swing day" offers. You'll drive your opponents crazy with your new found craftiness.

Good Luck!

BIll

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BLADES OR CAVITY BACK CLUBS?

(Sept 08)

Dear Bill,

Should anyone be playing blades these days? I’m a 3 handicap and am looking for new clubs. I’m playing old Pings now. Will I get more control and distance with blades, or am I just making things unnecessarily difficult for myself?

Thanks
T.D.

T. D,

Blades! Smades!.....Always go with cavity back irons. They give you much more room for error with minimal distance reduction if miss hit. The reasons some top professionals use blades are feel & feedback, familiarity(if they have been playing them since they were kids) and less rough interference because of the smaller size.

Bill

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SCOOPING, EARLY RELEASE WOES

(Oct 08)

Hi Bill,
I have had many lessons and had my swing videoed on three separate occasions over a five year period. Early video showed very very early release/scoop.
Over time I have worked very hard on swing fundamentals and tried to minimize this problem and yet latest video shows early release with attendant distance loss ,HIGH SEMI CIRCLE TYPE BALL FLIGHT and obviously never a divot. I am told take away top of back swing and start of down swing is very acceptable. Do you have any swing keys /practice drills that will deal with this issue
I do feel personally that to make sure I have no lateral left hip movement I do not snap my left knee which appears to accentuate the early release problem. I notice that my 5 iron finishes at 45 degrees to the ground at swing completion .Professionals seem to have their club horizontal to the ground. When I practice in front of a MIRROR WITHOUT HITTING BALLS and focus on snapping the left knee, it appears to bring the club horizontal to the ground at finish. Am I on the right track? I would appreciate any comment that you can make to ease this frustrating impediment.

Kind regards
David

Hi David,

I suggest hitting balls with a SW and place a head cover approx 10" behind ball and hit some 10 yard pitch shots, avoiding the head cover on downswing. This drill will help increase lag almost immediately. You should focus on keeping the RIGHT WRIST BENT BACK PAST IMPACT.
Loss of lag occurs for many reasons: usually a steep; out to in downswing is most common. Another common cause is the dreaded reverse pivot which in turn almost always causes the early release because the hands and arms start to pull down as a result the improper body rotation (Always causes the out to in steep downswing except in extremely athletic golfers). With a proper body rotation there has to be some lateral movement or else the weight would never shift. It should be subtle but it is there. Snapping the left knee (Tiger’s power move that led to his injury & surgery) and no lateral movement through impact to your left side is not a good idea. It will leave you hanging back on the right(reverse pivot).

Bill

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OVERSIZED GRIPS

(OCT 08)

Hi Bill,

I have #7 size Winn grips on my clubs. Being oversized, will that affect my game any?

Thanks,

Richard A.

Hi Richard………Grip size is best judged by taking a proper grip with your top hand (in the fingers and under the heel pad) and making sure the fingers wrap around to just touch skin again. If Winn#7 is oversized for you, as you say, the grip will slide too much into the palm and reduce the efficiency of the release (more slicing). Another thought concerning Winn grips. They are so light that the swing weight increases 3-4 as opposed to standard grips. An oversized Winn #7 may limit this a little. I like the feel of the head at the top with higher swing weights. So as long as it does’t feel too heavy go for it.

Bill

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LIE OF CLUB AT ADDRESS

(NOV 08)

My question is - all the books i read , says to place the golf club ( iron or driver ) flat on the ground .
I see pro's and most players with the toe of the club up and the club on more of an angle .
With the flat , the club is still on an angle but not with the club toe up .
Which is correct ? The club toe up or the club flat ?
With the toe up, you don't have the hole face to hit with
With the club flat you have the hole face to hit with but
it doesn't feel right .

Thanking you in advance for your help
James Boulding

Hi James,

The toe should be up slightly(a credit card or two) with an iron at address because the shaft will bend down during the swing. At impact you will then have the flat club that is desired. I wouldn't worry as much about the driver because it's teed up. Remember the toe will be slightly up on an iron as a result of proper club fitting not any hand manipulation on the player's part.

Bill

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BENDS LEFT ARM TOO MUCH? HOW ABOUT HEEL TOO HIGH?

(Dec 08)

Bill,

Thanks for taking my question. I wanted to know if it is ok to bend my left arm slightly at the top of my backswing if I straighten it back out on the downswing. Also I tend to lift my left heel pretty high sometimes on the top of the backswing. (2” or more) I’m not real flexible and if I don’t bend the arm a bit and lift the heel I can’t make the full turn. It doesn't’t seem to bother my game, but sometimes my playing partners mention it. Any tips on increasing my flexibility?

Thank you,

Ric

Hi Ric,

A slight bend of the left arm is ok as we age and get less flexible. However, make sure it is not caused by over swinging. You would be surprised how short the swing can be and still have a solid turn (Alan Doyle, Dana Quigley, etc….). Avoid lifting the heel because that frees up the hips to turn, not the shoulders. The bigger the gap between a full shoulder turn and a minimal hip turn creates increased power (The X factor) ….. As far as increasing flexibility: STRETCHING, STRETCHING, and more STRETCHING each day, not just days you play. It doesn't’t take long, but make sure your program is effective. Confer with a knowledgeable source regarding this. Additionally, as long as you are taking your partners money at the end of day, let all advice go in one ear and out the other.

Bill

SKYING MY WOODS

(DEC 08)

Bill,

I’m sky-ing my tee shots and fairway woods several times a round. What causes this and any suggestions? It happens more off the tee but also off the grass.

Thanks,
Bill B.

Hi Bill........Popping the woods up is caused by a steep "out to in" downswing. Review my catalogue of previous answers and you'll find many reasons and corrections(almost always setup and backswing issues) for this deadly move. One quick fix is to move the ball forward in your stance as your more apt to catch the ball at the level bottom of your swing.

Good Luck

Bill

ISAG Bonus Tip: Hey Bill B., see also Best Tip Ever! It will help you get in the "slot" and prevent that over the top move of yours.

HITTING EVERYTHING TOO HIGH!

(Jan. 09)

I'm 62 and a 14 handicapper but I love to play. I hit everything too high. My driver trajectory is so high that I lose distance and get little or no roll.
I hit a 9 degree Krank. Do they make drivers with less loft? I hit my drive off the inside of my left foot, although moving up or back seems to make little difference. I hit all my irons too high also.

THX WAW

Hi Warren,

At your age(a young whippersnapper LOL) and handicap I would not go below a 9 degree driver. Most golfers similar to yourself would benefit more with a 10.5 regular flex. The issue with the pop ups is technique driven. It is caused by a steep(out to in) approach on the downswing. A shallower angle from the inside always optimizes ball flight. Having said this, this common problem is almost always caused by setup and/or backswing flaws. See my previous answers on this topic on the website.

Slice Cure , Scooping , and check out Best Tip Ever from the ISAG Instruction area.

Keep Swinging!

Bill

HELP GETTING PUTTING STROKE BACK!

(FEB. '09)

Hi Bill,

My name is Len and I’ve got a question for you. I need some advice on getting my putting stroke back. I was always a pretty good putter but lost it towards the end of last season. (lot of short putts missed, mis-reads, etc.) I have lost all confidence and can’t even make one in the living room these days! I use a Titleist Bullseye putter and Titleist balls, if that matters.

Thanks,
Len

Hi Len,

See my April 08 article regarding short putts and confidence. Misreads are a part of golf and even the best tour putters have to deal with it. I tend to look at the green as a whole and even the overall landscape rather then just focusing on the narrow area from my ball to the cup. Also, have an eye exam if the problem is chronic. Don't over read the shorter putts. Just bang 'em in. Also, its time to donate your Bullseye to your local junior association and upgrade to a more functional putter. It will make a difference.

Bill

ROUNDED BACK AT IMPACT

(March 09)

Hey Bill,

I have a problem with my back rounding right at impact. It is stable throughout the entire swing, but as soon as I get to impact it rounds? My spine angle doesn't change, my back just rounds. I have a strong core, and my butt isn't moving forward at all, so I'm not sure what is causing it. Also, I've been casting the club for quite some time, and I've done every drill in the book to fix it, for years. I have proper weight shift, and an in to out swing, so could my casting be cause by the rounding of my spine/back on the downswing?

Thanks,
Zack(age 15)

Hi Zack....You and your swing coaches obviously have a good eye to the nuances of a proper athletic motion. So, it is difficult for me to correctly identify the flaw without looking at some video. Also, you state that you are casting the club, but have an "in to out"swing. That can't be. Casting means you are going over the top on the downswing(out to in). Some rounding of the back at impact is normal. If it is excessive consider these possibilities: there is too much energy(pulling) by the arms to approach the ball from the slot and through the hitting area(path is slightly in to square and back to slightly in).This over effort by the arms will certainly tighten the shoulders and upper back and cause the rounding effect. The arms should fall naturally at the start of the downswing because of gravity and proper body(trunk, core, hips etc...) motion initiating the way. Tiger Woods does not have one ounce of arm pull on his downswing. As explained they just go for the ride. Lastly, your posture and distance from the ball must give the required room for the arms to go naturally through.

Best of luck

PS: Although these are important issues, much more important(at age 15) is the ability to score(up and downs and making putts) and the ability to close a round when those around you are getting nervous.

Bill

Zack had a follow up...

Bill, when I say that I am 'casting', I mean I am releasing the club too early on the downswing, not coming over the top. I hold the angle/lag good for about 75 percent of the downswing, but just before my hands reach my right leg I release the club. It is just slightly too soon.

Thanks, Zach

Zack,

The number one killer of proper lag is insufficient body rotation leading the way(I like to fire thru with my right hip)and/or a poor grip(weak). The 2nd biggest killer is trying to intentionally do it. Pulling your arms thru or (deliberately trying to delay them for that matter)will cause an early release and also the rounding effect of your spine. A good drill is hitting balls with a 9 iron and letting the arms fall halfway down "gravity" and then rotating your core thru with great speed. If initially this drill feels as though you can't generate enough power then we know you are on the right track. My guess is that the feeling you associate with power is actually the overworking of your arms.

Bill

SOMETIMES HOOK, SOMETIMES SLICE

(May 09)

Hi Bill,

Thanks for taking the time to offer a service like this to the average Joe like myself.

I've been practicing a lot and been taking a few lessons. Needless to say, I have had to unlearn a lot of bad habits. Although I have noticed progress, there are a couple issues I need some help with.

When I am feeling confident and hitting the ball well, I hit a slight fade. However, when things start to fall apart a little bit, one of two things happens:

1. I hit the ball thin, closer to the toe, with a pronounced slice.

2. I hit the ground before the ball, still close to the toe, with a hook.

I am confident that my posture, stance, and grip are not the problem. My theory (which could be completely wrong) is that I use too much arms, less body, which gives me an inconsistent swing sometimes producing a thin slice, or a fat hook.

Do you have any advice or drills that might help mitigate this problem?

Thanks,
Al

Hi Al,

OK. Let's focus on the overuse of the arms and not enough body or more importantly the proper blending of the two. The somewhat contradictory aspects of the clues present a golf swing that is inconsistent. For now, ignore the hook because of the likelihood of it being caused by the ground(fat shot) resulting in the closing of the clubhead (very common) and thus the hook.

When the body and arms are working as a team your body's core, trunk and hips will initiate the downswing and the arms will passively follow with a path that comes more from the inside.This will result in a solid powerful shot that has a slight draw or a straight flight. With your "A" game having a slight fade we are most likely dealing with an outside to inside downswing path. A great drill is hitting 7 irons with towels under each armpit. A properly connected swing will result in these towels staying put. Since you can't use your arms the way you are familiar with on the downswing, focus on accelerating your core thru and around to your left side's follow thru position. Some proper stretching and exercising of the leg and trunk area will liven up this area and bring some better results.

Have a good season,

Bill

see also "Military Golf" by Barry Goldstein

DIVOTS TOO DEEP

(MAY 09)

Bill Crowley,

I’m a junior golfer (15 years old.) and I’ve been playing for about 2 years. I shoot in the hi 80’s. I’m having trouble hitting my wedges close. I don’t have a real soft short shot in my bag. I tend to take too much of a divot compared to guys I played with who almost pick it off the grass with lots of backspin. Mine seems to come out hot and I don’t feel like I have real good control over the distance. I have a strong game around the green, out of the sand, and off the tee. But I’m not scoring better just because I don’t score from 60-100 yards in. I’d actually rather be a full wedge out than closer as when I swing all out I have an idea of the distance. Maybe I’m not using enough wrists on the shorter ones? Hope you know what I’m trying to say.

Thanks
Todd
Arizona

Hi Todd.........A few thoughts regarding your situation: laying up to a yardage that gives you a full wedge swing(PW,GW,SW or LW) is the norm among good players who manage their games well. So learn your yardages and make that happen consistently. When you find yourself 60-100 yds out, a deep divot is not your friend. You are coming into the ball to steep(out to in) and need to work on a more shallower approach. This angle results in clean crisp contact with little or no turf being kicked up. Your wedge game and distance control will be much improved with this action.

A great drill for to help promote a shallower angle of attack is putting a towel under your left armpit(righties) and hit balls making sure it doesn't fall out on the back swing. I would also suggest you take a series of lessons from a PGA Professional just working on this. Stay cool with the hot summer just around the corner in your neck of the woods.....Bill

FAST GREENS

(June 09)

Bill,

My home course has average to slow greens. Twice a month we play at other courses which have faster greens and I have a lot of trouble adjusting and can’t make a good stroke. Usually wind up with at least 2 oe 3 three putts when on fast greens. Any suggestions on how to adjust when there’s not much time to hit the putting green or worse yet when the practice green is closed!

Thanks,
Tim

Hi Tim,

If you can’t get to the course early or the putting green is closed here are a few ideas to try: Stop by the course a few days before your round or find another course with greens that have similar speeds. Also,there are practice putting mats/games that are faster than others. Check a few out and make a purchase. Putting in your house/work on linoleum, a wood floor or a hard rug could also be helpful. You could also trick yourself into imagining the hole at a spot ¾ of the actual distance (if you tend to blow it by the hole.) And best of all don’t get psyched out by fast greens. I prefer them because they tend to be in better shape and all you have to do is get the ball rolling.

Bill

ISAG Bonus two cents worth: A little trick that you'll see some tour players use on very fast downhill putts is to put off the toe of the putter. It deadens the putt and allows for a longer stroke. Also consider having a lighter putter for when you know the greens will be fast. (if yours isn't very light already.) We wouldn't suggest a putter swap of course when you're putting well, but you sound like you're struggling already. Did you ever notice that with a new putter you putt lights-out for a while? You think this is the greatest club in the world until you get used to it and lose that "new feel". Might be worth a shot. You can call it "The 'ol Billy Barou" for fast greens.

SHANKS

(July 09)

I have recently developed an annoying habit of hitting the ball perilously close to the hosel. The results are that my irons have lost distance and have a tendency to fade. Worse, the "s" word is in the back of my mind with almost every swing. Any simple fixes???

Thanks,
Mickey.

Mickey....

Although a case of the "laterals" can get in someone's head and increase the likelihood of it happening again the root cause has to be addressed. The main cause is the arms and body not being in sync. The arms go out and across on the downswing which will cause a weak slice and increase the chance of the hosel being involved in the impact. The best drill for a "one piece" swing is hitting 7 irons with a towel under both armpits. This will groove the feeling of approaching the ball more from an inside/straight path. If you are still having problems after several sessions I would look at the grip. Have a golf shop put a training grip on an old lofted iron. I've rarely seen someone with a solid grip have the "El Hosels".

Bill

see also Barry Goldstein's answer to the same question here.

SWING SPEED & PROPER FITTING CLUBS

(August 09)

Hi Bill,

I've been golfing for several years now and consider myself well above average. Now that I've gotten much better over the years, I am going to buy a new set of quality golf clubs. I went in to a golf shop the other day and got my swing speed measured. My average swing speed while using my driver was around 92.5 mph and I was keeping it around 250 - 275 yards. I then proceeded to test out a 7 iron and had my swing registered at an average of around 75 mph, launching the balls at around 145-150 yards.

I would like to know what type of shaft would best suit me? Steel/Graphite - stiff/flexible

Thanks!

OTHER INFO/QUESTIONS WE ASKED FOR:

What is your normal ball flight? (draw, straight, fade.)
My Irons are straight for the most part and pretty accurate. My drives however seem to slice or fade to the left during the mid point of the ball flight I'd say. I am a left handed golfer.

Since my irons are straight for the most part and my drives aren't, would this mean that perhaps my Driver Shaft isn't the right one that suits my swing? (I believe my driver is graphite - once again when I bought these clubs I didn't know about shaft stiffness)

How old are you? 24 years old

What is your handicap or average score? Average golfer; I usually break 100, but I'd say I range from 95 - 105. I really think the clubs that I am using are impeding me to achieving a lower score.

What kind of clubs are you playing now? (age, blades or cavity back, shaft stiffness, etc.) These clubs are pretty low quality; they are about 4 years old. My irons are Strada's and are stiff flex and look like graphite. On the back of the iron club heads, it is written 3D flow weight design. My driver also looks graphite as Low torque R-Flex written on it.

AND FINALLY!!! BILL'S ANSWER!

If you are going to invest some well earned money on a top quality set of golf clubs I would take a some lessons and get fitted also. You do not want to be fitted when there is a flaw in your swing(slicing it to the left). With the driver the degree of loft, length of shaft and grip size need to be factored in also. However, if you are going to put a gun to my head I would go with stiff(250-275 yd's)graphite(I don't know if they even make steel anymore) on the driver. A 10 or 10.5 loft( Tiger's is measured at 10.2) would help eliminate some of that side spin that causes the slice. Also, a thinner grip would put it more in the fingers for a better release and less slicing. Length of 44" to 44.5" as opposed to 45 inches will also benefit you with more control...On the irons go with stiff steel. Steel is more consistent and at your age(24) the only reason for graphite irons is if you have injuries and need the shaft to absorb the hit a little.

Bill Crowley

ISAG Bonus Answer: We found this general swing speed/shaft flex conversion chart that might prove useful as a guide.

SHAFT FLEX/CONVERSION CHART

(use as a guide only. Best fit is with a lesson and a pro!)

Shaft Flex	Driver Swing Speed (mph)	Driver Carry Distance (yards)	Club needed from 150 yards

Extra-Stiff	105 +	260 +	8 or 9-iron
Stiff	90-105	240-260	6 or 7-iron
Regular	80-95	210-240	5 or 6-iron
Flexible (A-Flex)	70-85	180-210	4-iron
Ladies	Less than 70	Less than 180	3-iron/lofted wood

SHAFT FLEX AND KICK POINTS AND OVER-TWEAKING?

(August 09)

Bill,

I’m 64, 5’10” and 175 pounds. I play golf on average 3-4 times a week and I carry a 7 handicap. I am currently using a G10 9 degree draw driver with a Prolaunch red regular shaft. I attended a demo day at my course and hit both that combination and the standard Ping shaft fairly well with the red feeling more solid to me. I bought the G10 with the regular Prolaunch red shaft, but found that the shaft seemed much stiffer than the demo club which had the quick change shaft. I felt like I had to swing much harder to get the same distance. My driver swing speed is 93-95 mph and my normal drive is straight and about 230-240 yards. I took my driver in to check the frequency and it appears to be a stiff, not a regular. The golf shop check their G10s with Prolaunch red regular shafts and they are were in the stiff range. My previous driver was Ping G2 10 degree with an Adila NV65S which I hit straight with similar distance. I bought the G10 to take advantage of the newer technology and to try to gain some yardage so that I can play more competitively with the 40 year olds who insist on going heads up with me. I got the draw face because I hoped to gain some roll by hitting a draw as well. My drives don’t get much roll. Recently I was curious about whether maybe a softer shaft that I didn't’t have to swing so hard might be of benefit. I Had a chance to hit a friend’s G10 10.5 draw with soft regular shaft. I was conscious of the fact that I needed to be smooth and not over swing so I swung accordingly. The ball flight was higher than normal, but the ball was straight and the distance was a yard or two shorter than the drive I hit with my club. With a 9 degree face, I think I would have been longer. I really liked the feel and I think the draw face helped keep the ball down the middle. I also didn't’t have to swing from the heels to get the distance. I’m going to borrow my friends driver and put in some range time to see if this might be the way to go. Based on what I’ve told you, do you have any thoughts on what might be right for me? Thanks in advance.

Bill S,

Bill,

I have to sit down to answer your e-mail because dizziness has set in! One thing I've learned over the years is specs(flex, kickpoint, tipped ect...) on a shaft and even a clubhead vary from company to company and even from shaft to shaft(especially with graphite). For example, Tiger's loft on his new driver is 10.2, even though the head says 10.5 on it. With your access to demos and friend's clubs stick with your analytical mind and choose the one that works best in the field(regardless what it says)

... and good luck with the 40 something's!

Bill Crowley

Ball Position

(Oct 09)

Bill,

I’ve read a lot about ball position for different clubs, and it’s all different! Jack Nicklaus says to play all your irons in the same spot, some say to move the ball back towards the middle of you stance progressively as the clubs get shorter. Some articles say to take a practice swing and see where the divot is…. What do you suggest? I’m trying to become more consistent, and more confident, and I think if I knew for sure I had the ball at least in the right spot I’d play better.

Thank you very much,
Evan

Hi Evan,

In my opinion ball position falls under the heading of K.I.S.S ("Keep it simple stupid"). Golf technique can be complicated and the game itself is very difficult, in fact as our motto states it can sometimes "suck". I recommend Jack's thinking on the subject which I follow in my own game. I'm a right handed golfer and play the irons a hair left of center and I play the driver at my left heel. I think you'd be wise to do the same.

Bill

ISAG Bonus video answer. Jack Nicklaus on Ball Position...

STACK AND TILT (Reverse Pivot?)

(Nov 09)

Bill,

Thanks for taking my question. Do you have any “stance” on the Stack and Tilt method? It seems to me to be almost a reverse pivot, which I’ve been fighting forever! Should I just embrace my reverse pivot and try the Stack and Tilt method? If you don’t think it’s a good thing, any suggestion on what I can do to feel the reverse pivot so I can stop it? I watched a video of my swing recently and can see I still have it although I thought I had it beat.
I shoot in the mid 80’s, have been playing about 6 years. Pretty straight ball flight, but of course an occasional push or hook. Not really any slice to speak of anymore.

Thank you, I enjoy your site.

Mark C.

Mark,

A very interesting question. Making some subtle changes to my own swing brought me head to head with this issue. As a musician(I can multi task, LOL) there is an interesting idiom: "You have to know the rules to break them". I think this sums up my feeling on someone adopting the "stack & tilt" who has previously battled with reverse pivots. There is a big difference between a PGA tour player who is coiling very succinctly & tightly with no weight shift reverse or leaking of power and someone who's weight is going in the opposite directions. So at this point in your golf career I would not embrace it. You can keep it on the back burner for the future if necessary. Now, to fixing your issue:The 3 most common reasons for reverses pivots are the dipping of the left shoulder(should turn in proportion to your spine angle), stiffness in the right leg,knee & hip(They should be softer and receptive to the weight coming its way) and thirdly the grip(If its too weak you will manipulate the body to hang back on the downswing and force the release of the arms and hands). Look into these with some lessons with a PGA Professional and good luck!

Bill Crowley

MIS-HITS TOWARDS THE HEEL (Yikes!)

(March 2010)

Bill,
I’m having trouble hitting the sweet spot consistently. I play blades and when it’s cold a little off center and it stings! I’m a single digit, but I do get into bouts when my miss-hits are towards the heel. This always scares me as I have had the shanks in the past. (thank god not for several years.) Do you have any advice on how I can push those mis hits back out towards the center of the club when it starts to happen?

Dave

Dave,

I have a similar tendency. Not so much with the shanks, but I do sneak to the heal. As long as the hit is solid I don’t over analyze it. First of all make sure the ball is addressed with the club at the sweet spot. Have a 2nd set of eyes to confirm because perception can be inaccurate. The cause of shanks & heel hits are almost always caused by casting (out to in downswing path). The causes of casting are numerous (see my previous answers) with most casters being doomed, before they even start their transition down, by a poor grip, setup and backswing. With so many variables it is best to see a PGA Professional. We are looking for a slow and smooth transition from the top. This will allow the arms to fall and the hips to rotate resulting in a powerful connection delivering the clubface to the ball from the inside. As a drill put a towel under your right armpit. If your downswing goes “out an across” the towel will fall out.

Good Luck

Bill