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Golf on Cape Cod - InstructionDISPELLING THE GOLF MYTHSBy Paul Reiss We went to the very back portion of the tee box of the 14th hole to meet with the easy- going and affable head pro Dennis Hoye at Cranberry Valley Golf Course in Harwich. This spot was selected because this tee box is rarely used in regular play and because the back portion overlooks the 10th fairway. The lesson began. DENNIS HOYE
Director of Golf BIRTHPLACE: South Weymouth, MA AGE: 35 PERSONAL: Married YEARS AS A GOLF PROFESSIONAL: 16 YEARS AT CRANBERRY VALLEY: 16 WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME A GOLF PROFESSIONAL? I started playing when I was 12 years old and loved everything about the game of golf, so I wanted to be in a position where I could share this love of the game. Being a golf professional allows me an opportunity to help people learn, play and enjoy the game of golf. AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Served as the Cape Cod Chapter NEPGA Education Chair in 2001. Finished in the top ten in Wessner points for the past two years. Was hired as Director of Golf at Cranberry Valley at the age of 29. BEST COMPETITIVE ROUNDS OF GOLF: 69 at Eastward Ho! Country Club; 70 at Cranberry Valley. FAVORITE COURSES (OTHER THAN HOME COURSE): Myopia Hunt Club, South Hamilton, MA; Eastward Ho! Country Club, Chatham, MA; TPC Boston, Norton, MA. IF THERE WERE ONE THING TO TELL A GOLFER IT WOULD BE: Remember how lucky you are to be playing such a great game. There are a lot worse things that you could be doing with your time! So take the time to enjoy your whole golf experience - the challenge, the scenery, the camaraderie. WHATS IN MY BAG:
MYTH #1: KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN Dennis points to the golf range. “Do you know what I see most on that golf range? Husbands physically holding the heads of their wives in place while these women are trying to hit a shot. Good intentions, but these men are creating the very thing that prevents a good swing - absolute fear to move. This creates the misery that is associated with poorly hit balls.”
MYTH #2: AIM YOUR FEET & SHOULDERS AT THE TARGET “When you line up a shot this way, the club is actually pointing to the right of the target. Remember, what the eye sees dictates the golf swing. So what happens? The body reacts to the eye and the club comes over the top, causing a pull-slice or a yank left. This alignment procedure puts the body in the way of the swing.”
“Now put Myths 1 and 2 together... ...and here is what happens. The head comes up because it has to in order to make contact and to stay in balance. So we blame the head when, in fact, alignment is the issue.” Most people move the ball forward to compensate for bad alignment, thus compounding the problem.
“Everyone has heard about weight shift (to the left side for right-handed players). So, because of Myth #1, they are trying to have the belt buckle face the target (left side finish) while trying to stay down at the same time.” Impossible! Why we
can't hit it
Frustration increases tension in the swing and tension causes you to re-grip the club. The less tension in the swing actually makes for more strength and clubhead speed. This freer swing allows you to move to the proper finish.
HOW TO CORRECT THE THREE MYTHS 1. Align the shot with clubface square to the target. Your eyes do the work, and your body gets out of the way. 2. Your head stays steady (not down) until impact, then the head comes up as you move to the finish. Less tension allows for a free release and proper weight shift - more clubhead speed and greater distance. Hit 30-yard wedge shots. Square the face to the target. Hit the shot, and hold your position while you watch the shot land. This allows your body to follow your eyes, reduces tension and creates the proper finish position.
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Cranberry Valley Golf Course
MYTH #3: THE FAKE WEIGHT SHIFT
TENSION IS A SWING KILLER