Q: I practice and practice on the range hitting 2 buckets of balls a day, but my golf scores don't get much lower. How come?

A: Well, for one thing, practicing on the range is not the same as playing golf. I have a feeling when you go to the golf course, you are not letting go of your analytical brain. That is the left side of the brain. The right side is the "playing" side. And, there is a big difference. This is one of the things I work with with people on the lesson tee, and the pre shot routine has a lot to do with this. So, get a decent pre-shot routine and repeat it each time, and make it so that it allows you to switch from "playing golf swing" to "playing golf." There is a huge difference.

Q: Can I cut down my husband's old clubs and just use those?

A: No, this is the worst thing you could do. The most important factor in choosing a golf club that fits you is to have the proper shaft (length, flex and weight). You need to get properly fitted by a LPGA/PGA golf professional and look into some recommendations for clubs that would fit your particular body type, height, athletic ability, etc. If you just cut down your husband's clubs, you will make the club much stiffer and much harder to match your needs.

Q: Is it better to work mostly on short game or full swing when practicing?

A: Very good question and one that not many people think about. If you think about the golf game, there are many facets to it: putting, sand, chip, pitch, intermediate pitch, irons, woods, specialty shots, etc. Studies have been done, and it was determined that around 77% of the score comes from the short game (putting, chipping, sand, pitching, intermediate pitching) ...all less than 75 yards. If one thinks about it, a driver is used only 14 times in a round, if that. Putting alone would count for an average of 36 strokes if one two putted every green. So, practicing the short game will really improve one's score. I like to recommend that people do 1/3 of a basket on full swing, then do 2/3 of the basket on short game. Try this rather than just beating balls, and watch your score drop considerably.

Q: How old should a child be before they start taking formal golf lessons?

A: Wonderful question. I have given lessons for 20 plus years to all ages. I have found that it is good to expose your child to golf ...i.e. let them go to the golf course with you, let them putt and chip a bit, etc. But, I would guard against entering them in lessons until they are 6 or so and then they should only come to the group lessons where they are with other kids, etc. I have had children aged 5 whose parents have signed them up for private lessons, and it is just too much for them. They want to play and have fun. And that is the most important thing. If they have fun, they will continue with the game. Parents must make sure that they don't try to get too serious too early on.