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Eric Alpenfels
Director of Golf Instruction /
Golf Academy at the Pinehurst Resort
The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc is privileged to
have Eric Aplenfels as one of our contributers.
Eric Alpenfels is the Director of the Pinehurst
Golf Academy and Golf Instruction at
Pinehurst Resort. He is a Class A Member of
the PGA of America and has been part of the
Pinehurst family since 1985. His expertise has
earned him recognition from Golf Magazine
as one of the “Top 100 Teachers in America,”
Golf Digest as one of “America’s 50 Greatest
Teachers” and U.S. Kids Golf as one of the “Top
50 Teachers for Kids.” Eric’s activities beyond
the fairways of Pinehurst are extensive, and
include speaking engagements, contributions
to industry publications and participation
as an Adjunct Facility of the PGA of America
Education Department. In partnership with Dr.
Bob Christina, The Golf Academy is conducting
research to pioneer the development of new
practice techniques and innovative drills. He
recently coauthored “Instinct Putting” with Dr.
Bob Christina and Dr. Cary Heath.
TEE TIME continued
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Impact the Moment
of Truth, Part III
by Eric Alpenfels
In the first article of this series, I highlighted
the six impact factors that influence a golf ball’s
flight. These six factors include centeredness of
contact, clubface angle, clubhead path, angle
of approach, clubhead speed and dynamic loft.
The goal of the first of four articles was to give
a basic overview of the six impact factors and
their influences on the ball’s flight. This article
will focus on one of these impact factors and
highlight two of the most effective drills that I
have found to influence the impact factor. In
my experience, increasing a golfer’s clubhead
speed, specifically at impact, is the most
challenging impact factor to influence. For me,
this challenge is more the result of improper
technique than other factors. In fact, very rarely
have I worked with someone who is unable to
create enough clubhead speed so that they are
unable to play and enjoy the game. Without
question, the golfer’s physical conditioning level,
injuries, etc. can be factors. But for most, proper
technique at impact can help increase the club’s
speed, and as a result, create greater distance.
As a reminder, the definition of clubhead speed
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TEE TIME continued
is as follows.
Clubhead Speed
Clubhead speed is the speed of the clubhead
measured in mph at the moment of impact.
When the clubhead path, clubface angle, angle
of approach, squareness of contact and dynamic
loft are correct, maximum clubhead speed can
create maximum distance and height. When one
or more factors are incorrect, compensations
in the overall shape of the swing must occur
to minimize the negative result. Unfortunately,
when one compensates, maximum clubhead
speed tends to be compromised creating a slower
compensating motion. Though adjustments can
be made, this slower motion eliminates ones full
distance potential. Once there is a more correct
motion on a consistent basis, then clubhead
speed can be used to gain greater distance and
appropriate height to the flight of the ball.
Clubhead Speed Drills
Hit The Tee Drill
This drill begins by teeing a ball and then
placing a tee in the ground directly on the
target line eight inches in front of the ball. After
address with a seven-iron, attempt to hit the
teed ball as well as the tee in front of the ball on
the target line with a shorter and slower swing
than normal. In this case, the only way to hit
the forward tee is to have the arms extending
through impact instead of pulling into the body
at impact. Once you are able to hit the forward
tee with the slower motion, you should increase
the speed and length of the swing while hitting
the forward tee. By extending the arms through
impact (to hit the tee) the clubhead speed will
naturally increase due to the correctness of the
technique.
Reverse the Club Drill
The drill begins with addressing an
imaginary ball with a hybrid or fairway wood
and your traditional set-up. At this point,
reverse the club in your hands so that you are
holding the clubhead. From this position make
five to six swings. During these full swings, listen
to the resulting sound made by the grip end of
the club. Ideally, the most noticeable sound will
come when the grip is traveling through the
hitting area and just after where impact would
occur. Make as many swings as necessary to
get the greatest amount of noise with the grip
in this area. Once you have developed a feel for
creating this motion, attempt to hit a teed ball
with a six or seven-iron focusing on reproducing
the same feel when hitting the ball. For best
results, alternate between the drill and hitting
the teed ball. As you become more comfortable
with the motion, incorporate different clubs
into the routine. ☐
No. 135 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.9
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