This Months Questions and Answers       Category: ALL Rules Terms Issues Miscellaneous Equipment Etiquette
   

Question

Just a rather personal question - I am a "busty" build (14DD) and am having trouble keeping my bust out of the way of my golf swing. My male golf coach can't really help.... has anyone got a similar problem or can you make a suggestion??

Carrie, Longueville

Answer

This is a problem for many women. What I suggest is that we need to establish which position is better. 1. Over - when taking your posture place the arms over the bust. This is probably not going to be the most comfortable for a big bust. 2. Under - arms go under the bust. This position makes some feel cramped. 3. Around - I find this is the most comfortable for most. It almost feels like you are squeezing your breasts together. All of these positions require you to still have good posture i.e. bottom out without too much knee bend which will help to create more space for the arms to hang. The other thing I usually see with big busts and it is probably true in this case is that many women are only using their arms. If you make a good turn by using the body the bust and arms actually move together and in many cases the big bust helps them stay connected. Try to discuss these issues with your local pro. Sally Stringer PGA Professional

Question

Right now I am hitting my woods the same distance as some of my irons the only difference is the balls hit by the woods are going alot higher in the air. What am I doing wrong??

Catherine, Canada

Answer

You did not mention which woods and irons overlap but typically the woods will overlap some of your irons. Typically the 5 wood would match your 3 iron, the 7 wood the 5 iron and the 9 wood iron the 7 iron. As you mention the woods fly higher which will enable them to stop on the green where the lower flight of the irons, landing on the green, bounding through and off the other side.

Question

What is the difference between men's golf clubs and women's golf clubs?

Debby, Washington, DC

Answer

The differences between women's and men's clubs is based on the differences in strength and size. The standard women's clubs have a shaft with a softer flex, that is 1" shorter and with a lighter shaft weight that corresponds with a lighter head weight to maintain the balance of the club. Many of the less expensive may use the same heads for both their women's and men's that may not be ideal. As most of us are not standard size and weight custom fitting allows the clubs to be tailored to you exact characteristics together with your playing ability. Your local pros and golf shops usually can provide this service.

Question

what is a par?

anthony, altona meadows

Answer

Par is the number of shots that is expected to be taken for a player with a zero or scratch handicap e.g. par 3 the scratch player would be expected to take 3 shots to get in the hole. Each hole in a golf course has a par rating of 3, 4 or 5. Please view the Glossary for many other explainations of common golf terms.

Question

how old is famous Australian female golfer Shani Waugh. and how often does she practise.

Amy, Victoria

Answer

Shani Waugh was born on the 9th February 1969 and is 33yrs old. I have requested her practice and training routine.

Question

What is the standard length of a womens 7-wood? I have a Big Bertha 3-wood but another brand of 7-wood which seems to be much, much shorter than my 3-wood. I know a 7-wood should be somewhat shorter, but mine seems too short.

Lorna, Mississauga

Answer

The average length of a 7-wood shaft is 41". This is measured from the top of the shaft which starts 1/4" from inside the top of the grip. The measurement point at the bottom is a point where a line through the centre of the shaft is extended through the club head onto the ground when the club is naturally placed on the ground. This takes account of various designs of club heads to still give you the correct length when addressing the ball. Old clubs may be 1/2" shorter as the industry has been following the trend that the average person has been getting taller. Clubs may be 1/2" longer or shorter depending on the build of the player. Generally shorter shafts will also make it easier to control the club but the longer clubs may give increased distance as there is greater leverage. The length of the club also can affect the lie angle, which is the way the club sits on the ground. Ideally the face should be sitting straight and the scoring lines on the face parallel to the ground. Please see your local PGA pro to help you if you thing something is not correct. In most cases, to correct this, the lie angle of the club can be adjusted but sometimes the shaft length will need to be adjusted. Sometimes it can be to do with your set up and swing posture which your PGA Pro can also help you with. (information kindly provided by PGF)

Question

How would I attempt to qualify and take a player's ability test in the Denver, CO area this summer. How would I go about it.

carolyn, boulder

Answer

Sorry, Carolyn, we are an Australian site and do not know anything about these requirements. If anyone in the community can help Carolyn out please send me the informnation in the Suggestions Box and i can forward it on.

Question

Hi I am wanting to improve my game, currently my handicap is 15 after playing for 12 months. I am wanting to find a good coach in Melbourne, please help with some suggestions of where to locate coaches. Also I am wanting to enter competitions and tournaments please help with contact details for this. Thank you Rebecca

Rebecca, Caroline Springs

Answer

Sorry, I do not have any contacts with coaches in Melbourne at this time. If anyone in the community has a recommendation please put it in the Suggestions Box for me to pass on. Robert

Question

i am considering seeking the services of a sport psychology professional to assist me in improving the mental side of my game. what are the benefits of working with a sport psychology trainer and are there many available in sydney?

celeste, cremorne

Answer

I have contacted Glen Pattison who has contributed to our Mind Games pages. Although he is not writing any articles at the moment he is still consulting and has a new web site TheRightPlace.com.au and location at Level 1 Bridgepoint in Mosman. Ph 9979 2752 or email glen@therightplace.com.au. He coaches a number of professional atheletes on their mental performance and will know how to improve your performance. He had sold his articles so we could no longer get access to his work but he worked with a number of Olympic atheletes and leading sports people. I am not sure if he still does personal consultions

Question

What is the average distance women, with a mid range handicap(ie 22), hit thier clubs? Irons: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW, SW Woods: 9, 7, 5, 3 and Driver Thanks very much for your time.

Ursula, Victoria, BC Canada

Answer

For the average female I have been given the following distances as a guideline: 1 wood 160 metres, 3 wood 140 metres, 5 wood 120 metres, 7 wood 100 metres, 3 iron 120 metres, 4 iron 110 metres, 5 iron 100 metres, 6 iron 90 metres, 7 iron 80 metres, 8 iron 70 metres, 9 iron 60 metres, W 50 metres, SW 40 metres. Give or take 10 metres for hilly or windy conditions.

Question

I am a beginer golfer, playing at the driving range once a week, and having lessons about once a month. I am wanting to purchase my first set of golf clubs, but am not sure what I should be looking for. Is it worth buying an expensive set now for when I improve, or should I keep the costs lower and budget on a beginers set? Any advice would be appreciated.

Lisa, Crows Nest

Answer

I have been looking to help answer this question and will be putting together a Equipment for Women page. It is important to get clubs that suit you and the way you play but how do you determine this ??? Also as a beginner your swing will develop and may change your requirements in the future. Most clubs can be fitted to some degree to your characteristics e.g. grip can be changed to be larger or smaller, the lie angle of club head can be adjusted, shaft length can be adjusted shorter. The shaft stiffness can be determined by measuring your swing speed. Given the correct fit it is then up to you if you feel comfortable swinging the clubs. Do they feel too light or too heavy ? Graphite shafts make the clubs lighter overall and easier to swing. Most shops have a practice net so that you can see how they feel when you hit a ball. Some feel softer to hit with and have less jarring if you mishit the ball. Graphite shafts are also better in this regard but are usually more expensive. Professionals nearly always use steel shafts as they believe they are more consistent but the graphite shafts have more consistency than most amateur players can utilise. You should always buy the best you can afford and a brand name would have a better resale value when you wish to upgrade. Unfortunately the range of ladies clubs at most shops is quite limited. Big Johns at Chatwood has a one of the better ranges of ladies clubs. Ask the shop assistants to expain everything and explain you will only buy if you are comfortable and confident with what you are purchasing.

Question

Must the ball be marked before taking a prefered lie ?

val, Campbelltown

Answer

Prefered Lies are under local rules of the golf club and it is usually not stipulated that you mark your ball. However making your ball removes any concern that you have placed your ball any further than the stipulated distance (e.g. 30 cm) or any closer to the hole. (Carmen Savy - ALPG Brisbane )

Question

I'm really keen to get into golf but travel alot for work. I'm about to head off to the UK for a year or two and wonder if you can offer any advice on similar sites, women friendly clubs etc. I will be based just south of London.

Kristen, Willoughby

Answer

Can anyone help Kristen out with this one ? I had a communication from a Greg Hutton a P.G.A. Professional in England with a web site you can try golf-tuition-online.com.

Question

I have just come back to Oz from the US and have been playing golf for a few months and am interested in how far, on average, profession women golfers hit a golf ball with various clubs. I understand that different women can hit the ball different lengths and vary in strength. I am interested in yards and meters. I am hitting a 6 iron 140 yards with half a swing (with a full swing I tend to get too excited and top it- one step at a time). I assume that most strong professionals, on average, hit a driver 250 yards.

Janine, Bundoora

Answer

Sally Smith - PGA Professional When gauging distances hit in golf, most people tend to focus on the distance to which the ball rolled rather than carry distance (or how far the call travelled on the full) Her distances are (conversion to yarsds in brackets): Driver - 200m (219 yrds) 3 wood - 180m (197 yrds) 5wood - 170m (186 yrds) 3 iron - 160m (175 yrds) 4 iron - 150m (164 yrds) 5 iron - 140m (153 yrds) 6 iron - 130m (142 yrds) 7 iron - 120m (131 yrds) 8 iron - 110m (120 yrds) 9 iron - 100m (109 yrds) These are carry distances and I am considered to be an average length hitter in the professional ranks. Some of the longer professionals such as Karrie Webb are about 2 clubs longer than me. That means about 20 meters more carry distance. When looking at distances there are many other factors to consider. The loft of a club may vary eg a 5 iron in my set may have 30 degree but in another set may be 28 degree resulting in lower trajectory and more distance. The length of the golf club can also effect distance of shots. Players technique may also effect distance. For example, some players de-loft the club at impact. That means they are making a 25-degree club behave more like a 23-degree club resulting in greater distance. Remember the most important thing is not maximum distance, but consistent distance. I don't care what number is printed on my iron as long as it travels exactly the distance I need to clear whatever obstacles occur on the golf course. Look up the LPGA website to get driving distances of players. Remember these distances will be total distance travelled and only if the ball finished on the fairway.

Question

I'm wanting to know the steps involved in becoming a professional player on the Australian Ladies circuit, such as qualifying tournaments etc. I have searcged on the internet and this seems to be the only site that deals with ladies golf. The mens site ( AGU & PGA) dont cater for ladies at all. Thank you

Rebecca, Melton

Answer

To become a member of the Austraian Ladies Professional Golfers (ALPG)and play in the APLG tour events you need to be older than 18 years, have a WGA handicap of 2 or less, be Australian or New Zealander and be nominated by 2 full ALPG members. You may then play on the Sapphire Tour in the south coast of NSW, the Mollymook Pro/Am, Mandeni Ladies Plate, Bega Ladies Pro/Am and ALPG Championship of Australia. These tournaments are used for qualification to the major tour events of the Australian Open and The ladies Masters. As memebers of the APLG you can also become an accredited coach through a course conducted in conjunction with the AGU and the WGA.

Question

When hitting a wayward shot and you call "four", is it "fore" or "four" and what is the reason for the terminology? why not "duck!"

Marnie, Mona Vale

Answer

A wayward shot is spelt "fore". I am not sure of the reason for the terminology however I believe it has something to do with the meaning of fore - in front. Sally Smith

Question

I am a new golfer and wish to enroll in golf lessons. In your opinion, would it be beneficial for me to get instruction from a woman golf teacher?

Kathleen, Naples, Florida

Answer

A good golf teacher for you is someone with whom you communicate well and feel comfortable with. Some women choose female golf teachers because they find it easier to relate to another women. Find someone you like and stick with them either male or female. Sally Smith

Question

I thought when taking an "unplayable drop" in a hazard, the ball must be dropped in the hazard, not allowed to be dropped out as you have given as a ruling Also, I thought it was the luck of the game, if your nearest point of relief puts you on the fairway from the rought then luck you.

Faye, Newcastle

Answer

When a ball finishes in a hazard there are several deopping options (Rule 26). In a water hazard a ball cannot be declared unplayable (Rule 28). An unplayable ball can be declared anywhere on a golf course except in a water hazard which means you can take any of the three dropping options as stated under Rule 28. The only time an unplayable ball has to be dropped in a similar location is in a bunker. If deemed unplayable in a bunker, you must drop in the bunker or return to where you played your last shot. (Rule 28) Sally Smith

Question

How do you work out the handicap and also whats a provisional ball. As you can see from the questions I am only a new player to the game so any info on scoring determining points and etiquette would be much appreciated.

Aurora, Manly

Answer

Handicap is the number of shots over par of the course you may have. e.g. PAR 73 H'Cap 36 means you can have a score of 109 to play to your handicap for 18 holes. This can be broken down per hole. e.g. H'Cap 36 divided by 18 holes = 2 shots per hole. Par 3 - you can have 5 shots on a 36 handicap Par 4 - you can have 6 shots on a 36 handicap Par 5 - you can have 7 shots on a 36 handicap. Sally Smith The method of calculating the handicap is described in the Official Year Book from Women's Golf Australia. (Editor) Provisional Ball - Rule 27-2 If a ball may be lost (i.e. you are not sure)to save time you may play another ball ( a provisional ball) (under penalty of one stroke). You must tell you playing partners you are playing a provisional ball and play this shot before searching for your original ball. Ypu can keep on playing thsi ball until yo reach the place where the original ball is likely to be. If you find your original ball, the provisional ball is abandoned and normal play continues (no penalty) Sally Smith.

Question

what is the average height of a woman that will need to use a men's lenght club.

kamu, kamo

Answer

It is a myth that tall people eed longer clubs and short people need shorter clubs. Playing ability and athletic co-ordination are key factors. You should feel comfortable and confident with your clubs. If it is possible be fitted bya qualified club fitting golf professsional ( not just someone measuring from your finger tips to the floor ). Sally Smith

Question

If a player is disqualified because an incorrect score is written on her card by the marker in a stableford competition(6strokes for 2 points instead of 7 for 2) can that card still be used to reduce her handicap? Where does one find the rules of disqualification and also of handicapping?

Judy, Lane Cove

Answer

Rule 32-2 is the rule for disqualification. As it was a stableford competition, reference is taken to rule 32-2-b For a hole, and as the points score for the hole is correct,and the conversion of stableford points to gross is as follows, she may be handicapped. Conversion Formulae: Stableford: Par of course plus 36 minus stableford points scored plus handicap used = gross score. (For each hole where a miss has been recorded a score of one point is allotted for this formula.)This is in the WGA Year Book under the Handicapping System section. Bruna of Griffith

Question

If a player hits her tee shot into bushes along the side of the fairway, goes forward to find it, after three minutes say , of searching, may she announce that she will go back to the tee and hit a provisional ball or does she have to announce this before leaving the tee in the first place.

Dawn, Greystanes

Answer

She can go back to the tee later but it takes time, so a lot of people hit provisional ball before they leave the tee.(SHURI YASUDA - ALPG)

Question

Is there a rule regarding Professional Golfers Caddying for amateurs during Championships/Pennants

Dawn, Greystanes

Answer

I think this is all depend on a tournament. Some golf club don't like to see the Pros to caddy for amateurs. So you better ask each clubs or pennants organizer for it.(SHURI YASUDA - ALPG)

Question

Today a junior lady associate, off a handicap of 38, had 96 scratch=58 nett and lost 10 strokes off her handicap. Do You know if this some kind of a record

Dawn, Greystanes

Answer

Does anyone out there know if there are records like this maintained. We may register them in WomenInGolf in the Hall of Fame.

Question

If taking a drop from a staked tree in the rough, and the nearest point of relief is on the mown portion of the fairway, is dropping on the fairway permitted

Dawn, Greystanes

Answer

I am asking for confirmation on this one. If anyone can supply the answer feel free to send it in the suggestions box. The ball may be dropped on the cut section if this is the nearest point of relief no nearer the hole. Rule 24-2b Bruna from Griffith

Question

What is the difference between the Men's handicapping system and the Womens and why are they different?

Lee, Sydney

Answer

Apart from the difference in the the maximum handicaps, 45 for the women and 27 for the men, that are managed there is a different method of calculating changes to the handicap, based on your scorecard and the course rating. The course rating calculation is also different and is of course based on women's markers. While there have been moves to bring the two methods together there are pros and cons to each system and then there is the resitance to change something that works and everybody knows.

Question

Are there any regulations set down by the WGA regarding WPGA members joining a golf club as a playing member? Also, what is the procedure regarding the handicap of that person?

Coral, Greystanes

Answer

The WGA membership is not open to professional golfers of WPGA. The WGA is for amateur players only with strict guidelines to comply with amateur status. This does not inhibit a WPGA member joining a club, obtaining a 'club' handicap that is managed by the club and playing in the club events.

Question

What does the term 'Lay Up' mean ?

Carrie, Lane Cove

Answer

A 'Lay up' is when you hit a short shot to avoid a hazard e.g. bunker or water, that would be in range of your normal hitting distance. You wouuld normally use a higher numbered club to hit it shorter

Question

When "calling up" following players, is there any rules to specify where the players should stand while the following group play their shots?

Trish, Hornsby

Answer

There is no stipulation in the Rules of Golf for where to stand when calling up following players. Give consideration to the following player and your safety by not standing in the likely line and flight path of the players ball.

Question

When my ball landed in an area where I cannot make a shot, what are my options ?

Maria, Vaucluse

Answer

If the ball ends up "out of Bounds" usually indicated by black stakes with white tops you should play another ball where you played your last shot i.e. from where you hit the ball out of bounds with a one stroke penalty. If the ball is "in bounds" but under a tree, etc where you cannot make a shot it can be stated as unplayable and a drop can be taken with a one stroke penalty. If the ball is in a hazard as indicated by red stakes you can play the ball in the hazard or drop the ball outside the hazard with a one stroke penalty.

Question

Can you get handicapped on a 9 hole event?

Joyce, Maroubra

Answer

Womens Golf NSW is organising 9 hole events that you can receive a 9 hole handicap. Great for those with limited time. Contact Womens Golf NSW on )02) 9264 7327

Question

When my ball landed on a spot where I cannot play a shot, say right underneath a tree, what are my options ?

Maria, Strathfield

Answer

The ball may be stated unplayable in that spot and a drop taken as near as possible to the spot but not nearer to the hole.

Question

Who is responsible for sending cards back to your home club after playing in a comp at another club?

Sharyn, Drummoyne

Answer

The club administration is responsible for sending necessary details of the card back to your home club. The necessary details are your handicap, your score and the course rating on the day, which determines the relative difficulty of the course. These details may be faxed the same day especially if it is a winning score but may take up to a month to be sent/received. In the revised system of handicapping regulations there has been a change under Regulation 3 "The Player". refer to 3(iii) A player shall report and confirm in writing or by returning the card to her Home Club all scores returned by her at any other club. An official of the club concerned must certify the AWCR, the Par and the CCR of the day. (in the WGA 2001 Year Book) Bruna 20/2/001

Question

Can your handicap be cut on a 9 hole competition?

Joan, Chatswood

Answer

Womens Golf NSW is organising 9 hole events that you can receive a 9 hole handicap. Great for those with limited time. This can only be used in 9 hole competitions. Contact Womens Golf NSW on (02) 9264 7327 for further clarification

Question

Where does the word burough/burrow come from?

Jacky, West Ryde

Answer

The term borrow comes from the concept of borrowing the slope of the land to assist in the rolling of the ball.

Question

When there is a group of golfers on the green who should putt first ?

Di, Leura

Answer

Usually the person furthest from the hole should put first. To speed up play, if there is agreement, whoever is ready first should play.

Note: Every effort will be made to give correct answers and an understandable explaination to any question. These are not official rulings from the governing body. Any question requiring an official ruling should be addressed to Womens Golf Association in your capital city.

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