Name:
Albert Höpfl
Age:
46
Coaching at:
Golfclub Eschenried / Munich / Germany
TrackMan User since:
2015
When and why did you start playing golf?
I can still remember as a child, I was so pleased when my father gave me a golf ball which I held in my hand in my sleep.
As I got older, crazy golf fascinated me again and again. Whenever there was a course somewhere on holiday or a beer garden, I either watched the people play or tried my own luck.
At the age of 17 I was diagnosed with severe cartilage damage in my knee and was no longer able to play my beloved sports such as tennis and football. I had to look for a new sport. In 1990 I made my first serious swing attempts with three friends in Bad Griesbach, Germany and received my Handicap to play.
What was your HCP when you turned Pro?
I’ve always been a terrible putter, therefore, I left a lot of birdie chances on the golf course. I started an apprenticeship as a PGA professional in 2006 with a 4 HCP. Unfortunately, there were no advantages of video analysis or even better data analysis at the time. A bit more training on the putting green wouldn’t have hurt of course. Had I used my chanced a much better HCP might have been possible.
Which is your favorite golf course?
I love to play at the Golfclub Eichenheim near Kitzbühel (Austria). The surrounding mountains and the design of the course are unique. The Augusta National Golf Club will probably remain a dream forever. Someday I want to tee up in Crans Montana!
Do you have a favorite coach you follow and why?
I think we have excellent and well-trained coaches in Germany. You don’t have to look across the Ocean in my opinion. My favorite coach is also one of my best friends: Christian Moculescu. I have learned a lot from him, and he has always supported me with questions over the years. I am also a big fan of Marco Schmuck. His knowledge and his way of teaching impresses me over and over again!
Who is your favorite player and why?
I like athletic players like Rory McIlroy or Brooks Koepka. If you look more at the technical side, Adam Scott is the epitome of a teaching swing.
Of course, Tiger Woods fascinates me with his aura and skills during tournaments. It urges me to watch him play every time he is on TV.
What is your best golf related achievement?
A score of 56 in Scramble at the Almrausch Trophy with friends at Golfclub Eichenheim. Jokes aside. A scratch round at the Playing Ability Test as part of the PGA Professional 2007 apprenticeship at Golf Club Wiesensee. Fifteen greens in regulation with only five birdies and three 3-putts were marked on the scorecard at the end!
As a golf coach, what is the most common mistake among players you see?
Poor alignment among amateur golfers. Right-handers usually stand too far to the right. To be able to hit the ball into the target, they adjust their swing direction and clubface. An alignment stick would help to get the right alignment and would also help in getting used to the perspective of the target. I almost hardly see any professionals on the tour who don’t usually have two sticks in his golf bag!
What are your greatest professional strengths?
I love working with children and teenagers. Seeing how the swing changes over time and how the development progresses. It is essential to me that the children are not only able to reach their full potential on the course, but also treasure the values of team spirit and fair play outside the course. I don’t teach one swing to all players, I let the children develop their swing with their abilities and support them to achieve their maximum success!
What’s in your bag?
After eight years of Wilson, I switched to Titleist this year.
Driver: TS3 10,5° Graphite Regular
Wood 3: TS3 15° Graphite Regular
Hybrid: 818 H1 19° Graphite Regular
Iron: 718 AP3 4 – PW Graphite Regular
Wedges: SM7 Tour Chrome (50.08 F Grind) Graphite Regular
SM7 Tour Chrome (56.10 S Grind) Graphite Regular
SM7 Tour Chrome (60.04 L Grind) Graphite Regular
Putter: Scotty Cameron Concept X cx-01 with a SuperStroke Tour 2.0 Grip
How often do you play golf yourself?
Unfortunately, since October 2017, I’ve had many back problems so I currently can’t play. Together with my neurosurgeon, chiropractor, physiotherapist, and own training, I am trying to get the pain and problems under control and slowly get back to the golf course.
What has changed since you started working with a TrackMan?
My way of teaching has changed completely. I used to record swings with an iPad or a video camera. Today, thanks to TrackMan, I can cover several tools for recording information. The combination of data and video with movement guidance and various teaching aids is the optimal combination for a faster learning curve.
Thanks to TrackMan University I understand the physical connections much better and can give the student targeted advice!
Which is your favorite TrackMan feature, and why?
There is more than just one favorite feature.
For technical training, I need the combination of data and video, impact location, and the optimizer to have some feedback.
For short game training, I often use the TEST CENTER.
For fitting the OPTIMIZER and the view of the dispersion is inevitable.
In the future, the possibility of outdoor virtual golf will also flow more into my lessons, so that more variety comes into training, and the target pressure increases at the end of the lessons.
How and where can golfers get in touch with you?
Mostly in my teaching studio at the end of the range or in the short game area.
Albert Höpfl
Fully Qualified PGA Golfprofessional
Email: golfprofessional@t-online.de
Homepage: http://www.golfakademie.info
Münchner Golf Eschenried
Am Kurfürstenweg 10
85232 Eschenried
Tel: +49 08131-56740
https://www.muenchner-golf-eschenried.de
Do you have any suggestions, how TrackMan can do better or differently?
You’re doing a great job and the “little orange box” has so much more potential.
I hope that this development will continue as it has done in recent years. A new video software, multiplayer test center, virtual golf outdoor are just some of the things I’m looking forward to.
Would you like to be the next TrackMan coach of the month?
All you have to do is sign up on TrackMan University and complete Level 1,
we will randomly pick a new coach every month.
Disclaimer: The answers in this interview have not been modified or changed, nor do they necessarily represent the views of TrackMan A/S.
Great insight into another Trackman coach!