Jim DeLaby Central Coast Golf Schools

Kikuyu: It is harder to spell than hit from?

2006-11-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

This months tip is on How to hit your golf shots better off KIKUYU:

Kikuyu Quick Tips Contributing CARE Staffers;
Rudi Fann (Head Golf Professional, Black Lake Golf Resort) and Jay Farrior (Head Golf Professional, Avila Golf Resort) say that a wider stance, which creates a shallower swing (so you don't get stuck in the twiny grass) and more lofted clubs for carry are keys that help them get around both courses more effecient.

From our Tour Contributor & Title Contributor;
Billy Gibbs (Director of Instrution) Kikuyu is a grass with an attitude, it has what he calls the "Velcro" effect. Kikuyu has a way of reaching up and grabbing your club so when chipping from it, use a "brushing" type of stroke with a putter or a hybrid to keep the clubs (leading edge) above the grass. This should produce the slight trajectory and smooth roll needed for a good shot.

From the Director of Golf & Power Zone Contributor, Mike Brabenac points out that carrying the ball an extra 5 to 10 yards by taking out one extra club on all approach shots will do the trick.

From Jim DeLaby, Director of the Golf CARE Instructional Membership, two keys to help me play better on this type of playing surface is to purposely choke down a quarter inch and to keep the butt out posture during the swing. This aids in insruing that this grass does not grab the club as much thru the hitting area.

There are other tips that have helped you, so let us know. Write us with your tips so we can add to this article...

sincerely,

Jim DeLaby, PGA Director of Golf CARE Instructional Membership

How to Handle "Plugged / Sanded Greens"

2006-09-30T23:24:00.000-07:00

This is the first in many unique articles designed to help you with tough issues you encounter but have never had an effective solution, until now: I have brought together myself and four other teachers to give you quick tips on "How to Handle "Plugged / Greens". Enjoy the 5 Tips from 5 Teachers on the same subject... Please let me know what you think... Next article "How to Play On Kikuya Grass"

Putt with a Metal Wood

Try this: “Never lose your putting stroke again, by using a hybrid or fway wood or driver to putt with on plugged greens. Why? 1st they have a mallet effect and 2nd they have much needed loft.”

by Jim DeLaby(PGA Director Of Golf C.A.R.E. Membership)
For more information on my new Golf C.A.R.E Membership go to
http://www.blacklake.com/instruction/golfcare.php or
http://www.avilabeachresort.com/instruction/golfcare.php

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Be Patient
Tom Watson shot a 55 or 56 (his personal best) on “Plugged Greens”. And I shot 67 recently on “Plugged Greens”. So don’t be intimidated be patient. I also like to take the break out by hitting the putts stronger.

by Billy Gibbs(Tour Contributor and Dir. Of Instruction)

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Pitch, don’t Chip

Because the nature of the greens promote bounce, don’t chip and run, get the ball up in the air more with a pitch shot. Utilize your wedges more around “Plugged Greens”. Go ahead and use a lob shot more often.

by Mike Brabenec(Resident Long Driving, PGA Director of Golf)

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Play for Straighter Putts

Play everything straighter. Thus focus on speed and less emphasis on break.

by Rudi Fann(Head Golf Professional, Black Lake GC)

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Take the Break Out/Aerification takes the “Read” out of greens.

Don’t fret; your job is much easier once the ball is on the short grass. The sand and aerification holes cause the golf ball to roll on a much straighter line than normal. When reading the green, factor this in and play half of the break you see. The greens are naturally slower, so use enough back swing to get it there.

by Jay Farrior(Head Golf Professional, Avila Beach Golf Resort)

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Golf C.A.R.E. Instructional Membership

FREE Golf

Just like a Gym, you pay a low monthly fee and get great benefits to improve your golf game on a DAILY, or WEEKLY, or whatever basis. Included each day is a free bucket of balls, The Practice Zone, 10+ Clinics a week (run by the five teachers above), and Golf Game Assessments. For more inforomation:For more information on my new Golf C.A.R.E Membership go to http://www.blacklake.com/instruction/golfcare.php

orhttp://www.avilabeachresort.com/instruction/golfcare.php

Jim DeLaby III, PGA Director of Golf C.A.R.E. Instructional Membership

Observations about Tiger that can help your game NOW!

2006-08-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, Aug. 28th, 2006. By now you are well aware Tiger is back in his super state... He has won four in a row and two majors in a row... Wow, it is exciting stuff... this is historic for golf and any other sport for that matter... Keep watching and pay attention...

Still, when he wins 7 in a row and 5 majors in a row, until that happens he was on a better run back then 21/2 years ago... But it will probably happen... why? Tiger not only has a better more effiecient swing he is in better shape...

Here are some observations about what he is doing, that I believe will help your game towards what I call the SuperZone:

1. EQUIPMENT CHOICE:
Tiger is making wise choices with club selection... he is choosing other easier clubs/than his driver, and thus is hitting more fairways... Conclusion; driver is not always the best club selection... Nicklaus was quoted as saying that if he could just hit the Fairway he knew he could beat the field every time...

2. HEALTH:
Tiger is in good health... Mentally and physically... Conclusion; Good health is worth chasing, it always has good payoffs...

3. MENTAL:
Tiger is focused... Note how he rarely looks at his oppenents... I love those eyes and that focus... he is very calm between alot of his shots... Conclusion; Learn how to stay calm between shots... one way is to pace your breathing and relax your shoulders/arms alot between EVERY SHOT...

4. FUNDAMENTALS:
He has been working on perfecting Haney's Instruction for about the last 28 months or so... Note that, that is about how long it took him to perfect Butch Harmons Instruction... at the end of about 28 months with Harmon, he won 6 straight and 4 Majors in a row... I remember as he was working thru Haney's Instruction early on he would comment that he was gaining more and more confidence as each month went on, the % of better shots were increasing each month... Conclusion for you; If your working on something new it will take time... rating your improvement on the perfect round is causing you to abandon new fundamentals you and your teacher are working on... Instead tally the # of better shots from each round and watch how that percentage increases from round to round... 1% to 10% each Tourney, is about what Tiger would make comments about his game to the press..

5. COURSE MANAGEMENT:
Tiger is very conservative on his approach shots... Note, that he is basically aiming for most greens in the center or to the easiest spot to reach on the greens... On this stretch of four wins in a row he rarely goes right at tucked pins... Conclusion for your course strategy = No matter where the pin is located head for the middle of the green or the easiest approach... Forget where the pin is and focus on the middle of the green...

So, want to get closer and closer to your own stretch of 4 holes in a row or four rounds in a row in a super state make sure you remember to: Pick the easiest driving club to hit more fairways, Stay healthy, Allow slow improvement when working on new fundamentals, and Aim for the middle of every green.

How your Handicap can stop your Superzone Rds. !

2006-08-02T18:35:00.000-07:00

Why the USGA Handicap System stops you from reaching your SUPERZONE!
By Jim DeLaby, PGA

(The good news is that The USGA Handicap System is designed to stop SANDBAGGING, however, it does have a major side effect, and this is what this article is about)

SUPERZONE POSSIBILITY NEGATED:
You may not realize this but every time you base your game around what your handicap is you are setting yourself up for a MENTAL fall and will not reach your SUPERZONE. In fact, it could be IMPOSSIBLE!

CYBERNETICS
Why? If we use and understand the Cybernetics model, specifically Max Maltz "Psycho Cybernetics Model" of how the brain works then you will get why.

INNER EYES:
First, compare the brain to a computer. Second, note that "it", your computer, has been DEFAULTED(designed)from birth to obey commands (cues) from your five senses in the present or in your imagination (make believe world). Third, your computer is impersonal and doesn't care if you are in the present or in your imagination. Whatever "it", your computer sees, with "it's" inner eye balls, "it" believes is true, and then "it" will react appropriately. Oh by the way wherever your imagination wonders onto so go "it's" inner eye balls, intensely. I can't wait until scientists or the medical world or whoever discover what those inner eyes look like!!!

USGA 20 ROUND SYSTEM PROGRAMMED into our brain:
Since the brain stores everything "it" sees in the present or imagination and files everything in "it's" libraries, "it" has access to these files when "it" needs the files. Thus, all your rounds have been downloaded into "it's" own golf score libraries, for, get this, later usage... Thus, I believe, because of the design of the USGA 20 round system, that we all, who have extensively lived off of this great Handicap System have been sabotaged by it as well, for I believe we have programmed each of our brains with 20 rounds at a time and filed, and the brain has filed them, nicely for us... So that there are files in your brain with 20 game averages waiting to be triggered to play without your knowledge.

(If healthy enough) you can shoot your last 20 round avg. ANYTIME you want!

20 ROUND AVG. FILES:
These 20 round avg. files are labeled by "it" with PICTURES of you shooting that avg. For example, if your lowest score in last 20 is 89 and your highest is 105 then you are probably comfortable around 97... Get this, all you have to do is try to shoot that score and it will be easy (as long as you are healthy)

SELF IMAGE:
The PICTURES of you on the special 20 round avg. file are also coined as a self portrait of you or SELF IMAGE of you…

YOUR SELF IMAGE VS YOUR SUPERZONE IMAGE:
If your handicap is a 24 right now that is based on your LOWEST last 10 Scores out of last 20 rounds. So that means it is not your true avg. or represents what your TRUE SELF IMAGE is. But this USGA computed handicap is really, then you at a super level… the lowest score is your SUPERZONE score… and only happened with SUPER Health…

FINALLY, THE ANSWER WHY, NOW:
If you start thinking that you are that 24 handicap then images (or self images)of your self will show up in your IMAGINATION. Your brains inner eye balls will immediately see this. This is a command by you, whether you know or not at the time, for your brain to go and shoot that 24 handicap. Your brain is designed from birth to reach the goals you set for “it” thru your five senses or in your imagination. Remember “it” doesn’t know the difference between make believe and reality…
So it obeys the Picture command by you, to shoot the 24 handicap score. With “it’s” inner eye balls, “it” goes and looks for the closest self image tape in “it’s” golfing library. And guess what? “It” cannot find an avg. or self image tape with this picture of you. So what does it do? “It” locates the nearest self image picture of this and plays it like a software program. “It” plays the AVG. score and only needs mediocre energy to do it… not SUPER energy… Oh by the way, when your brain is playing this tape… there are only a few ways to stop it from playing it out. One of them is to give up on trying to shoot your SUPERZONE score or handicap.

TRAINING BY JIM DELABY:
For custom fit ways to make your USGA Handicap work for you not against you I am available for Instruction.

SUPERZONE Tip; How to have more fun with Golf?

2006-06-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

One of the fastest ways, I know, to find more joy in your next round or pratice is to keep track of the SUPERZONE shots you hit. In order to do this, you must first have a basic understanding of the SUPERZONE:

The Zone, in my model, is you performing a skill at normal or an average level. For example; When you toe the ball down the middle of the fairway or crisiply hit a putt but it misses right, these are considered Zone shots. Thus average or normal shots are being produced by normal or average energy levels.

The No-Zone, then, would be when you are performing the same skill, with the same swing thought, at poor energy levels you then hit a poor shot.

The SUPER-ZONE is the same exact skill, with the same swing thought, but you hit it awesome/great/flush/super. Thus, super shots are created with super energy...

In your next round, if you will keep track of how many SUPERZONE shots and not worry about anything else including score, they (the SUPERZONE shots) will come. From 1 to 5 or more per round will come. Wait and see. Guess how many SUPERZONE shots it takes for you to come back to the next round? 1

Want more joy in your next round? Then wait for the SUPERZONE shots.

If you want more understanding about the SUPERZONE, and want to learn how to wait for it, and want to learn how to stretch it, and then how to heal from it, call or write me to set up a lesson and start the journey in the SUPERZONE.

Jim DeLaby, PGA
805-478-5723
delaby@charter.net

DeLaby Model: 2006 US Open, Mickelson vs. Ogilvy

2006-06-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 19th, 2006

What a fun tournament to watch but very disheartening at the end... The Phil Slam would have been fun to keep up with thru the summer... However, what a great swing and demeanor Mr. Ogilvy portrays...
He, Ogilvy, walks between shots like a true SUPERZONER should... retaining his super energy... and he, Ogilvy, was able to finish in the SUPERZONE... or if you want, in a healthier state than Mickelson!!!

Ok, what can we learn about the SUPERZONE after this monumental moment in Golf History?

1. Phil did not lose his game, it still exists in his brain, stored on nuerons, waiting to come back out, but only with health

2. The SUPERZONE exists in every Tour Player = when they are super charged with super energy = which in my model is serretonin. Phil has been in it for a long stretch, since before the Masters...

3. Phil just came out of it and it started on the first tee Sunday... His Brain was looking for alternative energy in other places in his body... The serretonin, which is temporary and must be replenished, ran out, completely. By the 18th tee he was done...

4. Knowing this, he could have taken out a club that would have been easier to control in this low energy state and possibly made a bogey or better...

5. How could he have known this? I prefer this idea at the moment = by continually rating his energy level before each shot (believe me, when I say that doing this is easier said than done!)

6. Your Goal: Understand that there is a Superzone + then wait for it + then stretch it + then heal from it

7. Rate Your Energy Level: Before a shot, rate your overall energy level on a scale from 1 to 10. 1 = lowest energy level you have ever been at and played golf during & 10 = highest energy level you have been at and played golf during

8. Swing at your Energy Level: Next, if your energy level is low 1, 2, or 3 then swing at that level. In baseball terms try swing for a single not a home run. If your energy level is 4 0r 5 swing at that level or maybe try for a double in baseball. If you energy is 6 or 7 swing at that level or try for a triple in baseball. But if your energy is 8, 9, or 10 then you are in the SUPERZONE and YOU WILL SWING at a HOMERUN Level without even trying to. Everything will be easy...

9. to learn how to understand the SUPERZONE + wait for it + stretch it + heal from it call me for instruction

thanks,

Jim H. DeLaby III, PGA
(805)478-5723
delaby@charter.net
SCPGA Northern Chapter,
1996 & 2003 Teacher of the Year
2001 Fitter of the Year
Author of the "GRIP PRINT"
www.jimdelaby.com

Welcome

2006-06-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Jim DeLaby's Central Coast Golf Schools, where Jim DeLaby, awarded two-time Teacher and Club Fitter of the Year by the PGA of Southern California Northern Chapter, offers custom fit instructional programs at top golf courses on the Central Coast including Blacklake, Avila Beach, Morro Bay and Dairy Creek. Weekly and monthly schedules are available upon request.