Dave Pelz 1 Day Clinic

[julius06]

Since I have just recently discovered the forum, I figured I would make a contribution that hopefully adds some value to someone.

About 2 weeks back, I attended a 1 day scoring clinic for a cost of $375. I do want to preface this by saying that I have been hacking up the course for several years and had always tried to improve by practicing and "figuring it out myself". Let's just say I am more then a little behind schedule. Anyway, I picked up the short game bible and really began to subscribe to the system Pelz promotes for the short game. Figuring out repeatable swings and distances for clubs? Taping the info to shafts? That 's rocket science! (Sorry I couldn't resist) But seriously, it wasn't a concept I had ever really considered beyond a full swing. So I found out the Pelz school was doing a one day clinic at the Longaberger club in Ohio which is a few miles from the house, and I couldn't resist.

It was a lot of money. However, for a guy like me who has never had formal instruction, or been taught how to practice I feel like it was worth every penny. I should also say that I went on a Tuesday and was one of only two people in a class with 2 instructors.

The first four hours were spent on chipping and pitching with a little bit of sand time. After learning proper (better) technique, ball position, address, etc, I had a good baseline from which to practice going forward. The whole concept of using your pitching stance with a more forward ball position to get out of the sand has been a huge help to a segment of my game that once terrified me.

The next four hours were spent with putting. Again, I had never been taught how to putt and had always just relied on natural touch and feel. After working through a few different grips (claw, lead hand low, traditional) I settled and learned a number of drills that have really helped me. I know the Pelz putting idealogy can be contested, but for me (at least for now) I am happy with the direction it has moved that direction of my game.

Overall, I think if you are just beginning to get serious about your scoring and are really at a loss for how to get better - then I think its worth the cost. I really feel like those 8 hours gave me more then enough feedback and practice/drill challenges to work efficiently on my short game for quite sometime.

On a side note - I practiced for about a week or so and went out to play nine. I wound up with a 44 which included a 9 on a par 5. When you have been playing to a 17-18 handicap, a number like that is exciting!

[Magnus]

Thats great!!! Much better spent money then on another driver or putter or such, thinking that is the answer. If you took away valuable knowledge on how to further teach yourself via practice, I agree, well worth the cost. Congrats!

[bm303]

Good post! I am going to take this clinic in a couple of weeks, as my putting is just terrible

[SMOOTH1]

Has anyone gone to a PELZ 1 Day Clinic, more recently than 2008?