THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610030211
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH
STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: POWELL'S POINT LENGTH: 106 lines
Unless the golfing gods have patted you on the shoulder, your golf swing needs a bit of work.
For most of us, a smooth, consistent swing is as elusive as a misplaced set of car keys. We shank the ball. We hook the ball. And worst of all, we hit ``worm burners,'' shots that never rise out of the emerald green Bermuda grass, sending tiny ground creatures scampering for their lives.
But folks like PGA Professional Dave Donovan can help you hit it dead solid perfect, and take strokes off your score.
Donovan, golf pro at The Pointe Golf Club in Currituck County, is one of a growing number of teaching pros that offer lessons to forlorn linksters.
Weekend golfers suffer from basic fundamental mistakes, Donovan says.
``It's nothing earth-shattering,'' Donovan says. ``It's mostly fundamental things dealing with the grip or alignment, but mostly it's weight shift.''
Golfers often grip the club too weakly, Donovan says. ``Generally, right-handed golfers have too weak a grip, particularly with the left hand.''
Duffers need to take better care when lining up with their targets.
``Right-handed golfers generally align themselves well to the right of the target. They're never straight on the target or to the left.''
But the biggest problem comes in the weight shift, as the golfer moves from the top of the swing down and through the ball.
``Most people know how to keep their balance when they hit a baseball,'' Donovan says. ``But when they hit a golf ball, for some reason they want to keep their feet flat.
``For right-handers, they have to start (with their) weight on the right side, come to the top of the swing, and then down and through, turning the hips and shifting weight to the left side. A lot of people want to keep their feet flat, and swing with their arms too much, and that causes problems.''
Golf instructors are a combination mechanic, coach, father confessor and psychologist. Recently, Donovan applied his teaching techniques on an out-of-kilter southpaw golfer.
``Visualize how you want to hit it, then do it,'' Donovan said. ``Keep your right arm straight.''
Initially, the pupil struggled; worm burners were common. The ball hooked left, and shanked right.
``How long has it been since you've hit a golf ball?'' he asked, a hint of compassion in his voice.
The golfer cast his eyes to the ground, repentant. His feet shifted.
``About a year,'' the golfer said, barely above a whisper.
``Well, just step back farther from the ball, take it back easy and keep your right arm straight.''
With the right arm practically locked, the golfer slowly drew the club back, then down and through the ball. The red-striped range ball climbed skyward, landing about 175 yards straight away from the tee. Give or take 100 yards, Tiger Woods would kill for a shot like this.
``Best shot of the day,'' Donovan said. Teacher and pupil left the tee with matching grins.
``The most gratifying thing is when you have a beginning golfer who's frustrated and hasn't had a lot of success in the game, and finally they decide to take a lesson,'' Donovan said. ``You've got 45 minutes to an hour to do something that makes them enjoy the game. If you make it so they don't enjoy the game, then chances are, they'll never play again, and you've lost them. But if you make it enjoyable for them, you've got a golfer for life.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Coaching from PGA Professional Dave Donovan, of The Pointe, can help
you take strokes off your score.
WHERE TO LEARN
Golf instruction is available at six public golf courses on the
Outer Banks. Here is a list of those courses:
Nags Head Golf Links
Jeff Lewis, Pro
Rate: $40 per hour. Various instructional packages available
Phone: 441-8073
The Currituck Club
Corolla
Craig Menne, Pro
Rate: $40 per hour. Various instructional packages available
Phone: 453-9400
The Pointe Golf Club
Powell's Point
Dave Donovan, Pro
Rate: $25 for 45 minutes. Various packages available
Phone: 919-491-8388
The Sound Golf Links at Albemarle Plantation
Hertford
Ellsworth Franklin, Pro
Rate: $25 per lesson
Phone: 919-426-5555 or 1-800-535-0704
Sea Scape Golf Links
Kitty Hawk
Bryan Sullivan, Pro
Rate: $35 per half hour, $60 per hour
Phone: 261-2158
Goose Creek Golf & Country Club
Grandy, N.C.
Kevin McCord, Pro
Rates: Vary
Phone: 453-4008 or 1-800-443-4008 by CNB