CBS Sports golf analyst Peter Kostis received a ton of mail from CBS SportsLine viewers concerning a range of golf-related issues. Peter responds here to the latest batch.
In "Impact Zone" by Bobby Clampett, it is claimed that the video shows the majority of touring professional hit down slightly on the ball with a driver. Yet, almost all instruction and manufacturers state that the ball should be hit on the upswing with the driver. What's your opinion? Ken Joersz
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| CBS golf analyst Peter Kostis |
With different pros you get many different tips. Are there X number of tips, say five, six, seven etc. that they all would agree are maxims? Many thanks Peter. By the way, I notice on telecasts that, more and more, players are stepping on their partners putting line. Any comment? William DeWitt
Kostis: Bill, first off, I haven't noticed players stepping on their opponent's putting line. In fact, I think most players go out of their way to avoid that. As far as tips, I prefer fundamentals; check your grip, posture, ball position, aim, and then focus mostly on rhythm and balance. Good luck!
Under wet conditions when your ball is picking up mud on the fairways are you allowed to play lift, clean and place? If you are not playing in a tournament format how do you decide whether you are allowed to lift, clean and place or not? Tim Mahoney
Kostis: Tim, in a tournament the committee dictates whether or not you can play lift clean and place. If you're just playing with your buddies and as long as you agree within the foursome, I say go ahead and do whatever. You're supposed to be out there having fun, even though the USGA might not agree.
Playing a par 3, the person before me hits his ball and lands on the green. I proceed to shoot, and my ball hits his ball and goes in the hole. Does that count? Is it a hole-in-one? Help! Bob
Kostis: Hey Bob, guess what? You just made a hole-in one, congratulations! A couple years ago, Andrew Magee made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole at TPC Scottsdale. It was a par 4 and his ball rolled on the green, bounced off the putter of a player in the group ahead and went in the hole. No worries, you're hole-in-one counts.
A while back there was a reported "riff" between the Tiger people and you -- him not allowing you to interview him or enable you to shoot his swing on Swing Vision (which is absolutely amazing, by the way. First, what's the status of that "riff" and are Tiger and you on good terms? And second, what do you think of the swing changes Tiger has made with Hank Haney? Thanks, and keep up the great work with CBS. Jeremy Schilling
Kostis: Jeremy, no problems between Tiger and me. As far as the swing changes Tiger has made with Hank Haney, I think his record speaks for itself. Two seconds, two firsts in the last four majors -- not bad.
Peter, first off I love Swing Vision and the technology involved with today's golf instructors. I'm a low handicapper looking to improve and possibly work with a swing coach. What do you feel you bring to the table that maybe the average club pro lacks? Scott
Kostis: Scott, the biggest thing would be experience. I've given over 100,000 lessons to every conceivable kind of player. The average club pro only gives lessons to his membership. I've kind of been there, done that with anybody taking a lesson from me now. I guarantee you I've seen their problem before. That makes it a lot easier for me to help them.
When a lateral hazard (red stakes) is a marked "Environmentally restricted area, NO ENTRY", how should a shot that is hit into this area be played? My playing partners say that a ball can be dropped outside the red stakes where the ball last crossed the margin without penalty. Richard Dempsey
Kostis: Richard, sorry about this, but a hazard is a hazard and the environmentally restricted no entry sign only means you can't go in there to get your ball. The lateral water hazard rule applies with a one-shot penalty.
Do most or all the pros wear spike-less golf shoes. If so, has this has a positive effect on putting (absence of spike marks)? Phil
Kostis: Phil, I would say spiked and spike-less shoes run about 50/50 on the PGA Tour. I can't say that spike-less shoes have had a positive effect on putting. True, there are probably fewer spike marks, but there are also definitely more indentations made by the spike-less shoe bottom. Plus, I'm convinced that spike-less golf shoes reduce your power in the full swing because power starts with the traction between the feet and the ground. Imagine trying to swing while standing on a sheet of ice and you'll get the idea.
