1. I am a new golfer and I struggle with getting any height or significant distance off the fairway. I find it very frustrating. Can I tee the ball up in the fairway? Suzanne from Cranbrook, BC.
As a new golfer you want to make this game fun. I don’t know one Golf Teaching Professional that wouldn’t recommend hitting it off a tee from the fairway in your situation. If hitting it off a tee helps you make clean contact and hit a good shot that makes you feel great and enjoy this game, then go for it! Now be aware, it is not technically allowed in the rules of golf. You will surly run into some ladies that will be happy to preach from the rules book and stand on their pulpit though they can barely hit it out of a paper bag themselves. Tell these ladies to beat it! As long as you are not competing in a golf tournament or needing to keep a legitimate handicap so you can play in tournaments, tee it up to your heart’s content!
2. I don’t take my glove off when I putt, but when I watch golf on TV I noticed the pros do. Should I be doing this? Jim from Hamilton, ON
Glove in back pocket
In my opinion, absolutely! I find it serves 3 purposes. First of all it slows you down. It takes you from your approach shot and gets you into the mindset of putting. By taking your glove off you start thinking about your putt and hopefully you are already assessing the slope of the green as you walk up to your ball. It is a great part of a pre-shot routine for putting. Secondly, I believe it gives you better feel. Good putters have great touch. The more you can feel the grip in your hand, feel the weight of your putter head and stroke, the better I think you will roll the ball. Finally, there is the pro-factor. When you do it you look like you KNOW what you are doing and that you have been around the game awhile. Don’t look like a chopper and stuff your glove in your front pocket but instead put the base of the glove in your back pocket with the fingers hanging down.
3. What is your favorite Major? Paul from Halifax, Nova Scotia
The British Open
That is a tough a call. I love The British Open (referred in golf circles merely as The Open) as I think anyone has a chance to win it and it is played on courses that require such creativity. It takes great golf shots and age isn’t always a factor. Tom Watson narrowly missing at Turnberry in 2009 at the age of 59 proved that. You can also walk up to the gate on final round Sunday and buy a day ticket for 70 British pounds. However, if I had to pick I’d say the Masters. I love the reverence of the tournament. How you can place a chair anywhere on the course and it will remain untouched. I love the depression era pricing of the concession stands and magnificent beauty of the course. Although what draws me most to that major is the opportunity to make eagle and the roars that are heard across the property when someone is making a charge. It is truly magical.
The Longball Tip
Fan front foot to 45 degree angle
To hit the ball farther you need to be able to clear your front hip at impact. If your hips are square to the ball at impact you are losing distance and there is a good chance you aren’t hitting it straight down the pipe. To help clear that hip, fan your front foot to a 45 degree angle. This can be useful with all your shots from irons to driver, excluding chipping and pitching. This will help you make a good move with your lower body and make it easier to turn as your front knee is not restricted. For golfers that have knee issues, this will take a lot of pressure off your lead knee. It also will increase your range of motion leading to increased club head speed. Try it, you won’t be disappointed!
Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is the reigning 7-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for Women and is ranked #2 in the World. Lisa can be reached at li**********@go**************.ca.
