A contingent of 110 PGA Professionals took a new route to counseling amateurs from around the country on Jan. 27, 2006, as they answered hundreds of calls and e-mails in the first PGA/USA TODAY Golf Equipment Hotline.

Modeled after the popular PGA Golf Tips Hotline, a staple at past PGA Teaching & Coaching Summits, the PGA/USA TODAY Golf Equipment Hotline was part of opening day for the 53rd PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

"The Summit Hotline was lessons, and this was equipment," said PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino of Port St. Lucie, Fla. "The persons' calling tell you what they have or are looking for, and you create a prescription."

Martino, who will be coordinating the 10th PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit, Dec. 6-10, 2006, at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, said there are four cornerstones to instruction: Equipment, Physical Movement, Golf Skills and Playing the Game On Course.

"We're here to help callers with one of those cornerstones," said Martino. "And I believe that this Hotline was well worthwhile."

The Hotline, a joint project between The PGA of America and USA TODAY, the nation's largest newspaper, was conducted over a 12-hour period.

"It was my first Hotline, and I was surprised at the variety of questions," said PGA Master Professional Jack Gale of Worcester, Mass. "I had a guy call that had a 4- or 5-handicap and said that he aspires to be a Nationwide Tour member. He said that he hits his drives 320 yards and wanted a recommendation on his equipment.

"Another caller asked about whether a putter he had was legal, and I said that he should get online and go to the USGA Web site. You have to guide them to the source that we all use for conforming or non-conforming clubs."

James Finke of Cranberry, Pa., said the true theme of any information Hotline is the ability of the receiver to be patient with the caller's requests.

"They are calling with a lot of information that they want to tell you about," said Finke, a PGA Assistant Professional at Alcoma Golf Club in Pittsburgh. "I try to sort through it and give a different opinion. It has been a great experience, and one that I would enjoy doing again."

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.