Editors Note: Each week, we receive hundreds of questions for our PGA Experts. Though we can't answer every one of them, we will take some of the most illuminating and beneficial questions and have one of the top authorities from the PGA of America to answer them for you. We are in the process of finding ways for more experts to answer more of your questions! Thank you for your support and keep the questions coming!

Rules: Brad Gregory, Vice Chairman - PGA Rules Committee

Q: A player's ball is not directly on a sprinkler head, but has come to rest near a depression made by a sprinkler head or where the force of the sprinkler has cut down the surrounding grass and has created bare hard-pan, is there any free relief? valdo herby

A: Rule 24-2 (Immovable Obstruction) provides free relief for a ball outside a water hazard if; the ball lies in or on the obstruction or the obstruction interferes with the player's stance or area of intended swing. The sprinkler head is an immovable obstruction, but in absence of interference by the sprinkler head itself there is no relief under Rule 24-2.

However, some sprinkler heads are sunken well below the surface of the ground or their use has caused some damage to the course. In these cases the Committee (those in charge of the competition or course) may declare these damaged areas to be Ground Under Repair in which free relief may be taken.

Q: If the ball is teed up and the player takes a swing and misses the ball is it considered a stroke, or is the ball not in play until he hits it. thanks, bill

A: The Definition of a "stroke" is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball, but if the player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball he has not made a stroke.

This means that if the player's intent was to strike the ball, it is considered a stroke even if the player misses the ball. However, practice swings are not strokes because there is no intent the hit the ball. If the player starts his downswing and stops or purposely alters the path of the club to miss the ball, this is not a stroke.

Instruction: Jim Hardy, 2007 PGA National Teacher of the Year

Q: I'm now approaching seventy years of age. I find it harder and harder to clear my hips. To help this I try to square up my shoulders when I set up, but I set up with a slightly open stance. As long as I concentrate on swinging down my target line (not letting my shoulders open) I still hit my old draw. Before I did this it seemed I was getting handsy, trying to get the clubhead square. Am I unto something or have I created temporarily offsetting wrongs? Peter Sampson

A: Peter, What you are doing is just fine and an excellent adjustment to allow you to still hit from the inside and square up the club head at impact. Keep it up and my best wishes to you.

Q: I have a one plane swing and I'm following your advice, but I'm blocking the ball right. What would you suspect is the cause? Joe Barzano

A: You are too far underneath the swing in the downswing/impact area and not enough on the inner circle. Find my drills for being too much from the inside and underneath or on the outer circle. You need to turn your entire body, upper and lower body aggressively in the downswing and lower your right hand to a spot as near your right pants pocket that you can. From there just keep turning and let your right hand go around to the left close to your pants and do not let it swing outward towards the ball/target line. This will get you in-to-in on the inner circle...

Equipment: Tom Henderson, PGA Professional & Master Clubfitter

Q: I have avoided using a brass brush to clean my irons for fear of wearing away the club face. Does cleaning irons with the brass brush hurt the club face? Does it wear the club face or does the brass brush wear instead? Davis

A: Davis: Using a brass brush will cause minimal wear on the club face.

I suggest that you use warm, soapy water to clean your club face. Use the brass brush to get the tough grass and grime off of your clubs.

The brush will definitely wear out before the club face.

Q: I have yet to really get into the game of golf, however I've gone to a local coarse that is a three par course that lends out clubs and I enjoyed it. I think that I would like to get more into it and I would like to buy some clubs. Should I buy something that is inexpensive, or should I stick to saving up and spending more money. Are more expensive clubs going to help me when I start playing? What are your recommendations and which clubs would be good? Ryan

A: Ryan: Glad you have enjoyed your introduction to the game of golf.

Clubs that will help your game are clubs that fit YOU. If money is a concern, have a PGA Professional, experienced in club fitting, fit you for a couple of clubs. This session will involve you hitting some golf balls with your fitter observing actual ball flight. During this process, your professional will be able make some sound recommendations for a few clubs (ex. #5 wood and an #8 iron). If you take a liking to the game, you can always add to your arsenal using the information gathered from this session.

I would prefer that you spend your hard-earned money on a couple of fitted golf clubs rather than purchasing a complete "bargain" set.