Q: "I have a hurling grip when playing golf. Is it possible to become a scratch golfer with this grip?"
A: It certainly is possible to become a scratch golfer using a hurling grip. From personal experience, I'm aware of a very successful golfer in Edinburgh, Mike Robson, who has played to scratch using a left-below-right grip.
Q: If you feel that you have lost the timing or tempo of your swing, what do you do to get it back?
A: The best way to regain the timing and tempo of your swing is to practice with your feet touching together - this will make you swing the club smoothly as too fast a swing will cause you to lose balance. Furthermore, holding the club as lightly as you can will promote a smoother action and cut the jerky movements.
Q: Do oversized clubs really reduce the severity of slices/hooks?
A: Oversize clubs do help to reduce the severity of slices and hooks because the lower centre of gravity in these clubs helps put more backspin on the ball rather than sidespin. This is why we see many of the professionals using six and seven degree lofted clubs.
Q: Do professional players really use the same clubs we do?
A: Essentially professional players do use the same clubs that are available to the club golfer. However, tour players get to try them before they are released for general sale, for trial and promotional reason. The main difference is the choice of shafts that are available to professionals. The faster the swing speed, then the stiffer the shaft required.
Q: How high should I tee-up the ball?
A: The lower you tee the ball with the driver, then the more likely you are to slice. This is because a steeper downward swing is required to get the ball airborne.
With the large headed drivers available these days, the ball should be teed about 50 per cent higher than with the older wooden headed drivers.
Readers Questions
If you would like Neil to answer some of your golfing queries you should address them to: Ask The Pro, c/o The Irish Times, Sports Department, 13/15 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2.
