Ask The Pro: Q & A with Neil Manchip

Q: "I've been told by friends to keep my head down when swinging, but find it difficult do so. Why is this?"

A: It has to be the oldest so-called tip in golf. However, it is usually counter-productive to making an effective swing. If you keep your head down, in towards your chest, at address you will find it very difficult to turn your shoulders in the swing. Lifting your head will be inevitable at impact.

To check that your head is not too far down at address, you should be able to fit your fist between your chin and chest . . . and then you can focus on keeping your head STEADY rather than DOWN.

Q: "Will I hit the ball further with a graphite-shafted driver than a steel-shafted one?"

A: Not necessarily. The driver with which you will achieve the optimum distance will the one that is the correct weight, length, loft and shaft flex. You can only find this with a process of trial and error.

It is more likely that the correct graphite-shafted driver will hit it further than a steel one, as graphite is lighter than steel . . . and this allows manufacturers to increase the weight of the head without increasing the overall weight of the club, and this in turn improves club head speed.

Q: "I play on a course with bunkers that are deep filled with light sand which leads to a lot of plugged lies. What is the best way to play these shots?"

A: When the ball is plugged, i.e. at least half the ball is under sand, you must adjust your stance and swing to playing a normal bunker shot. Firstly, wriggle your feet in deeper so that the bottom of your swing will be deeper in the sand. Secondly, square the clubface to the target because you want the clubhead to dig into the sand rather than bounce for a normal shot. Then the ball should be played opposite the centre of the stance, and, lastly, the swing should be steep up and down with the clubhead following through deep into the sand.

When the ball pops out, it will fly low and run out a lot because there is no backspin on the ball . . . so, allowances must be made when deciding where you want the ball to go.

Q: "I recently replaced my ball on the putting green while playing a competition. Because it was windy, I left my marker in place in case the ball moved. When it rolled slightly towards the hole before I addressed it, I replaced it at my marker and putted out. Was I right or wrong?"

A: You were incorrect to move the ball as, once you have replaced your ball on the putting green, it is in play regardless of your marker being there or not. As, in your case, if you are putting downwind, and the ball moves downwind after you have replaced it on the green, then that is your good fortune. However, the opposite is also true if you are putting into the wind.

When you have placed the putter on the ground behind the ball, you are now addressing the ball . . . so, if the ball moves now, you are deemed to have moved it and then you must replace it under a penalty of one stroke and then putt out.