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 con't. next column
TEE TIME continued
Meet Maestro David M. Wolff
Favorite musician? Rachmaninoff. One of
the top three piano players of all time.
Favorite song? My favorite piece is
whatever I’m working on today.
How many hours each day do you play?
I practice a couple of hours a day to keep my
playing in shape. I’ve been recording a video
every couple of days to my YouTube channel
entitled, “Zen and the Art of Piano.” The videos
present a mix of piano playing and special
effects which is fun to watch.
Unforgettable performance? My favorite
performance was the first time we did the
outdoor pops on the green at Tufts Park. It was
my favorite and also my biggest headache as we
worried about the rain.
What would you like for locals to know
about the Carolina Philharmonic? We are a
professional symphony orchestra with a home
base in Pinehurst. The orchestra comes from all
across the state, even from South Carolina. Most
importantly, I would like for locals to realize that
we’re serving 3,500 local kids every year.
How often does the orchestra practice? We
will get together two or three times the week of
the concert. However, they’re all professionals
who play for several different orchestras.
Notable members? One person I really love
making music with is Jim Candido, our third
chair bass player and legendary bass player.
There are so many wonderful musicians in our
group!
Do you foresee any of the children joining
the Carolina Philharmonic orchestra?
Possibly. Some of the students have gone on
to major in music in college, but it takes a long
time for one to finish a masters or doctorate in
music and then perform. ☐
See The Carolina Philharmonic story, p.2.
Impact, the Moment of
Truth, Part IV
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 this series was to give a basic overview of
these impact factors and their influence on the
ball’s flight. This particular article will focus on
the last impact factor and highlight the two most
effective drills that I have found to influence the
golfer’s dynamic loft of the club at impact. In my
experience, applying the appropriate dynamic
loft of the club at impact is one of the most
influential impact factors in helping the golfer
control the ball’s trajectory and distance. At the
same time, it can be one of the most challenging
impact factors to influence. Typically, improper
technique plays the largest factor in how the
club is delivered to the ball at impact. Other
factors such as the golfer’s physical conditioning
level and injuries can also be factors. For the
most part, if there is reasonable technique, the
appropriate dynamic loft of the club at impact
can be achieved and help the golfer control
the trajectory and distance the ball flies. As a
reminder, the definition of dynamic loft is as
follows.
DYNAMIC LOFT
Dynamic Loft is the amount of loft on the
clubface at impact compared to the loft of
the club at address. Less dynamic loft on the
club at impact will produce a lower spin rate,
lower trajectory and greater distance. A higher
dynamic loft at impact will result in higher
spin rate, higher trajectory and lost distance.
The ideal dynamic loft of the club at impact is
slightly lower than that at address.
DYNAMIC LOFT DRILLS
Low Finish Drill
This drill begins by addressing a teed ball
with a seven-iron. After making a three-quarter
length backswing, swing the club through
impact stopping the follow through at waist
height. At this point, both arms should be fully
extended and the left wrist slightly bowed. This
finish position will force the shaft of the club to
be pointed more towards the ground rather than
up. This finish position can only be achieved
by the hands being ahead of the clubhead at
impact. As a result, the appropriate dynamic loft
rather than a higher dynamic loft at impact will
be created. The initial swings should be made
at a very slow speed to help gain control over
the finish position. Once comfortable with the
finish position, speed and length to the swing
can be gradually added while the finish position
is maintained.
SCORECARD DRILL
This drill begins with a scorecard positioned
on the target line six inches behind a teed ball.
Using a seven-iron and a short and easy swing,
attempt to hit the teed ball without hitting
the scorecard. Once comfortable with the
motion, length and speed to the swing should
be increased as long as the clubhead does not
hit the scorecard prior to impact with the ball.
This impact position can only be achieved
by the hands being ahead of the clubhead at
impact. An impact position that has the hands
behind the ball (a higher dynamic loft) will force
the club to hit the ground behind the ball and
possibly hitting the scorecard. When consistent
with the impact, eliminate the tee and attempt
the motion at full speed with a variety of clubs.
If impact with the scorecard is avoided, move
the scorecard closer to the ball (4 inches) and
attempt the drill as before starting with short
and easy swings. Ideally, the scorecard would be
placed two inches behind the ball. ☐
Maestro David Michael Wolff,
The Carolina Philharmonic
No. 136 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.9
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