Don DeLorenzo
it's your SWING
Don has been the PGA General Manager of Gilroy Golf Course since
1985. He is a former winner of the Bill Stausbaugh award given by the PGA
of America for excellence in education. He was named the 2014 Gilroy
Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and was born and raised in Gilroy.
Spring is in the Air…
It's Time for Golf
M
WESTERN
GETAWAYS
any of us decide that November through February
is golf’s “off season.” The weather is unpredictable.
Holidays and school vacations alter our normal
routine. Add that to the fact that the days are short, which
all but eliminates a quick nine after work. But once the time
change happens and the days start to warm up and dry out,
our internal golf clock tells us it’s time to get out on the
course and enjoy the game we love.
So you ask yourself, what’s the best way to make this
year the most enjoyable golf year ever? The answer is. .
.equipment, technique and friends.
Let’s start with equipment. Now I’m not advocating
that you go out and buy a new set of clubs to start the golf
season. However, you may want to take inventory of your
current set and see if adding a club or two will help. Maybe
it’s time to retire that five-year-old driver in favor of a new
high tech model. Technology in drivers is mind blowing.
Even for me, a guy who has been in the golf business for
close to 40 years. So if your driver isn’t adjustable, if the
head isn’t titanium, and isn’t able to switch shafts with a
simple twist of a tool…time for a change. The drivers today
can adjust the loft up or down two degrees and can go from
a slice to a draw depending on your tendency. You can also
switch the shaft flex if you’ve lost a little club head speed
and want to go to a softer shaft. Face it, if you don’t want to
lose that competitive edge over your playing partners, then
go out and be the first “kid on the block” with the new “toy.”
Putter woes got you down? The latest news is putter
fitting. PING in particular has come out with length adjust-
able putters so with the help of your pro you can zero in
on the perfect length that gets your eyes over the ball and
your stroke just right. You owe it to yourself to get a putter
that is just right for YOU, not for “most” of the people. So
with a new putter and driver, you have taken care of half of
your game. It’s up to you to decide if the irons and hybrids
you have need replacement or not. I will tell you this, if
you don’t have any hybrids, you are cheating yourself. . .
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
GOLF
get a couple. If new clubs aren’t in your budget this year, at
the very least, treat yourself to some new grips on your old
clubs. I swear they will feel like new.
Next let’s deal with technique. It’s always a great idea to
start the new golf season with a golf lesson. Oh sure, you say,
you are too old to learn something new or you’ve had plenty
of lessons and they don’t help. But trust me, a little refresher
hour on the range with your local pro will be money well
spent. You don’t want to start the new season with the same
weaknesses that you had last season. Remember you can
take a quick overview of your entire game, including tee
shots, fairway metals, irons, chipping or putting. Or maybe
there is simply one area of your game that you need to focus
on. Whichever it is, it’s your chance to start out on the
right foot.
How about something you rarely think about until you
need it… . .the rules of golf. Did you know that 2019 has
brought with it more than ten MAJOR CHANGES to the
USGA rules of golf? Brush up on these online, or look at the
Facebook page for Gilroy Golf Course for an upcoming rules
seminar during which these new rules will be explained
and demonstrated.
Lastly is friendship. There is no more social sport than
golf. There’s nothing like strolling down the fairway with
your friends on a Sunday morning. All the while, engaging
in a little friendly bantering about who’s going to make or
miss the next putt. How about playing Gilroy Golf Course’s
ever popular twilight league with friends or co-workers on
a Thursday evening? Or, bring your child or grandchild to a
summer clinic so they can experience this great game right
along with you.
Clubs are also available to join at all the local courses
so you can meet golfers of the same skill level, compete in
tournaments, or take some “road trips” to local courses.
So, when you get those clubs out to start the season, take
a look at your game and see what’s missing. Let’s make 2019
the best golf year ever!
april/may 2019
gmhtoday.com