SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
My first golf lesson - with Jim DeLabyFriday, September 30, 2005As I've mentioned in this blog before, I've taken up the game of golf 5 times in my life, each time lasting no more than 1 year. In each of these attempts at playing golf, I've never taken a lesson and always get stuck in the 79-88 range - this time included. I'm serious about sticking with the game this time around, so yesterday I decided to take my first lesson.I've always resisted doing so, because it seems like everyone I see take lessons, gets worse instead of better. I've made decent progress on my own with a good natural swing by simply practicing my short game and by improving my mental and visualization skills. I've been afraid that taking a lesson would make me think too much - about swing mechanics and technique, etc. I'm very good at quieting my mind and focusing only on the target and on visualizing the ball taking the desired path. I don't want to loose that by having to think about my swing. Regardless, this attitude hasn't ever helped me become a single handicapper - which I'm confident I can be - but only with a little help. So, I headed over to Cypress Ridge Golf Course and talked to their Director of Instruction - Jim DeLaby, a two-time Teacher and Club Fitter of the Year awarded by the PGA of Southern California Northern Chapter. He got me in for a lesson in the afternoon. After a quick look at one swing with my 7-iron and the resulting divot, he diagnosed that I was swinging outside in - as a result of an improper grip. He then told me to just let my hands hang naturally to my side and tell me how many knuckles I saw on each hand. Like Jim, we both see 4 knuckles. He says I should therefore see 4 knuckles when I grip the club. With my current grip, I was lucky to see 2 - which is how many I thought I was supposed to see. Anyway, he says we're both "4-knucklers". He taught me how to correctly grip the club with both hands, to not only see 4 knuckles, but to get control from the pad of my left (upper) hand and power out of my little right index finger - the trigger finger. I have to admit, this grip felt so foreign and unconfortable at first, but by the end of the lesson, I was hitting my irons sooooo much further than before and with more accuracy! Needless to say, Jim DeLaby made me a believer in lessons! I can't wait to go back for another. I realize it will take time to see improvement on the course while I get used to this new grip, but in a single hour lesson, I was amazed to see the potential results.  If you're like me, and are in need of a lesson, I highly recommend you take a trip over to the Cypress Ridge Golf Academy and setup a lesson with Jim DeLaby! If you're interested, check out our Feature on Jim DeLaby to learn more about Jim, his instructional themes, and available lessons, clinics and schools, along with contact information.
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