We are pleased to present the new “Ask the PGA Pro” feature on WeekendWarriorGolfer.com. Mark Rudy is a dynamic and highly respected PGA Certified Professional who has graciously offered to answer your toughest golf questions. If you have a question about your golf swing or a rule that you don’t really understand, Mark will field our best weekly golf question we can throw at him. You can even send in footage of your swing and he will break down your flaw and give you a drill to work on. We will post the question of the week with Mark's response. Don’t delay -- Mark wants to get you ready for your next round!
My Name is Mark Rudy, PGA Certified Professional. I am currently at Radrick Farms golf course. Some may recognize my name from the University of Michigan Practice Facility, where I was the Director of Golf Instruction for 8 years. I have been busy over the last few years completing additional certifications in coaching / instruction: one is a PGA Certification, and the other is with Science and Motion Sport using the SAM Puttlab, a putting evaluation system.
My teaching philosophy is, “Keep it simple.” What this means to me is to communicate using simple language that matches the players learning style. Also, demonstrating the movements and using drills to develop skills that will help achieve the player’s goals. Having tools to measure improvement is also part of the process for the player that wants to know their strengths and weaknesses. I use many tools in my lessons, including training aides and video. My approach is to listen to the needs and wants of each player. Players have many different goals that will be the focus of their coaching sessions. The player will decide what will be the focus of the lesson, because in many cases the player knows his/her game and what is needed. Learning is a partnership between the player and coach, a two way street of communication. This is a key ingredient in helping guide the player to their goals and developing a plan to get there.
Good Golfing
Mark Rudy, PGA Certified Professional
Note from House:
I had a lesson with Mark. His understanding of the golf swing and how to correct your mechanical flaws is quite impressive. He was able to diagnose my swing issue and explain it to me in clear and simple terms. If you are interested in getting a lesson from Mark so you too can get the most out of your rounds, contact him here. If you live in SE Michigan, it is something you should strongly consider.
WEEKEND WARRIOR Question of the week
Here is the first question from reader Doug:
As a Weekend Warrior I find myself in the woods often looking for my ball and collecting others along the way. I found a ladies ball and loved how it played for the rest of the round (until I lost it). Is there any rule against men playing "ladies golf balls" or equipment for that matter?
Hi Doug
If you are playing by the Rule of Golf approved by the USGA, then as long as the golf ball and equipment conforms to rules and guidelines of the USGA you can use any type golf ball and all equipment without any penalty. To check if your equipment conforms to the USGA. They have a list of conforming golf balls and equipment on their web site www.usga.org go to equipment on the top menu.
Doug just a few more note on equipment. My understanding on golf balls is that compression has little influence in distance so if you like a softer feeling ball the ladies golf ball will give you that. The largest factors in golf ball design have to do with ball construction which influence spin and dimple design which
Influence trajectory. So a golf ball that spins less will curve less this type of ball will also roll farther.
My golf ball recommendation is a soft golf ball that has less spin.
Now on to equipment choices, Ladies clubs are lighter, shorter, smaller grips size, have softer shaft flex, more loft this may help in some areas of your game. Maybe the softer shafts help with your tempo and the extra loft helps with direction. The only way to know for sure is the test different clubs and with the aid of a tracking system like Trackman that uses radar to track the clubs path, angle of attack, plus speed and the balls spin rate, distance, direction and trajectory. Golf is about both distance and direction and the combination of the right golf ball and club/shaft will give you what you may be after.
So as you hit the links this weekend remember that you are only allowed a maximum of 14 total clubs in your bag. You can carry less but not more. The penalty for too many clubs can be harsh, in stroke play for breach of the rule 4-4 is 2 strokes per hole with a maximum of 4 strokes per round.
In match play when the breach of rule 4-4 is discovered the match will be adjusted by deducting1 hole for each hole at which the breach occurred with a maximum of 2 hole per round.
Thanks for the questions Doug.
We have a follow-up question to last weeks question you answered. This one is from reader Jim "Can a PGA professional use a ladies ball?"
Hi Jim
Golf balls all have different characteristics and ladies have a dimple design for higher trajectory.
This would not be a very good match for a player with high club head speed that would produce lots of spin. The ball would up shoot and lose distance.
Question #2
This week’s question from Stephen is related to buying putters:
"I am going to buy a new putter but kind of caught in the middle of two different ones... Odyssey crimson 660 or Taylor made rose Daytona 1...will they last a long time without the insert getting firmer... I like them both and the way they hit the golf ball. If you could give me your opinion on these two putters that would be great!"
Hi Stephen,
Putter face technology is a something companies keep very close and secure.
The Odyssey crimson 660 has a Stronomic insert that has a firmer feel. I’m sure that the insert has been subjected to different temperatures to perform consistently. I think that time will be less of a factor on inset change and temperature. The Odyssey has a full offset and 3* of loft.
The Taylor Made Rossa Daytona 1 has a Sofer AGSI+ Titallium face insert that promotes forward spin for smoother roll off the putter face. This face has grooves to promote
forward spin on the ball. Like the Odyssey, the Daytona has a full offset, which puts the shaft of the putter in front of the putter face. The Daytona has 3.5* loft.
Both putters have similar characteristics. So, I would look at the putter grips, weight, and
how the putter sits and addresses. That’s all the help I can give you without having you measured and putting with both to compare the results.
Science and Motion Puttlab can measure many areas of your stroke and give you feedback on with putter work best with your stroke
