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The Dave Pelz Scoring Game School and the La Quinta Resort & Club

Two "Six" Star Experiences
By: Dr. Barry Lotz

With the name La Quinta Resort & Club associated with a project, it is understood that superfluous adjectives are the norm and one cannot be dissatisfied either with the facilities at the school or the accommodations. Pelz's facilities, the Ranch at PGA WEST™, are stunningly awesome and that only describes half of the story. Coupled with the fabulous accommodations and settings of the venerable La Quinta Resort, those attending the schools will be pampered beyond their wildest expectations.

A legendary hideaway, unique in its serenity, charm and timelessness, La Quinta Resort & Club, is regarded as the most distinctive resort hotel in the Palm Springs, California area. Site of the desert's first nine hole golf course built in the 1920's, today La Quinta Resort & Club features three championship golf courses designed by Pete Dye: the Mountain, Dunes and Citrus.

La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West together are one of GOLF MAGAZINE'S few Silver Medal Resorts in Southern California.

The accommodations and school, though pricey, are outstanding. Great food, wonderful service and outstanding school staff, hotel staff and facilities are the focal points of both of these properties. Coming home at night was always a pleasure to look forward to as is the ambience and feel of a cool desert night.

The Casitas and Suites at La Quinta are elegant, sumptuous, spacious (500 square feet), each with each own balcony and great, large terry-cloth robes.

The spa at La Quinta is recognized as one of the premier spas in the country. Its natural setting and the treatments offered from 8a.m to 8 p.m. are most definitely worth a visit. The resort has its very own upscale shopping center with great restaurants.

Set in the historically rich and scenic foothills of La Quinta, California, the Dave Pelz Scoring Game Ranch blends the area's natural beauty with an ideal setting for short game and putting instruction. Each green, bunker, apron and hitting area is designed by Dave Pelz to create realistic shot values and the true look and feel of on-course situations. The tropically adorned grounds with the towering mountains as a backdrop set the tone for a truly unforgettable three days.

Dave Pelz is world-renowned as a teacher and is both one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 instructors and the PGTAA's (Professional Golf Teachers Association of America) Honorary Members. Pelz has structured his program to all handicap levels, emphasizing individual attention to each student. His schools successfully address the needs of all handicap levels, and are attended by both professionals and amateurs.

For those readers who love pro facts, Phil Mickelson, Hugh Baiocchi, Paul Zinger, Steve Elkington, Tom Kite, Lee Jansen, Vijay Singh and 60 plus other pros are amongst his students and graduates.

Dave defines The Scoring Game^TM as a combination of the short game, which includes all shots inside of 100 yards to the edge of the green, plus the putting game, which are all the shots on the greens. Pelz' focus encompasses distance wedges, pitching, chipping, sand play and putting, which comprise 60 to 65% of the total number of shots per round.

On the first morning, our group of 13, gathered at the school's conference room. A former bull ranch owned by financier/publisher Walter Annenberg, these are classy surroundings with great ambience for golfers. Here we were introduced to Dave LiCalsi and assistants, Dennis Close. Russ McKay and Anne Sparks are all excellent golfers as well as teachers. A 4:1 student/teacher ratio allows instructors to concentrate solely on their students and students on their instruction.

Next, all the participants were encouraged to discuss their reasons for attending and the goals we were attempting to achieve from the School.

Thereafter, the format for the 3-day school was presented; Daily clinics, running from 9 –4, include both a three-hour putting session and a three-hour wedge session, each consisting of a brief theory presentation, followed by three outdoor execution activities.

The putting sessions are designed to improve every golfer's putting by teaching proper set-up and stroke mechanics while developing a systematic practice program for continued improvement. Practice drills are demonstrated to and experienced by all participants.

The wedge sessions help build proper address positions, reliable chipping techniques, improved wedge mechanics, and confidence in bunker shots. Learning and refining the proper techniques involved in these shots makes execution easier for all skill level players.

After being broken into 4 groups, our next stop was to the exceptionally well laid out practice areas where our assigned instructors took individual photos of our existing techniques and faults.

The School uses the most current equipment for video analysis as well as the GolfCoach software, which was designed specifically for Pelz Schools. This software system, which enables and includes amongst its numerous features, single screen shots, side-by-side comparisons of both your early beginning swing to your new improved swing, the comparison to any pro, or more specifically a pro of equal build to yourself. At the end of the school, you receive a personal manual to take home for points of reference. So when your game suddenly falls apart as it so often does, this "comfort" manual can get you back on track.

All throughout the course, the camaraderie was evident between the students and the teachers. Instead of feeling that you were in a group, afraid to ask questions or taking up every one else's time, the feeling of individual attention to your needs permeated through the group during these three days.

The lunches each day, were delicious and for 2 of the 3 days, given at the Ranch. On the last day lunch was at the new Greg Norman golf course; there were no limitations on price, which in itself improved the enjoyment of the already marvelous menu and service. The instructors were always at the table during lunch and the bonding with both fellow participants and staff made the learning experience that much more enjoyable.

Through the School's method of teaching bunker shots, by the end of the session, all of the students were becoming consistent at getting out of bunkers. The secret to bunker play is: keep it a swinging motion with the body turning back and through to the finish with the feel of the club splashing the sand. This part of the training was well worth the entire cost of the course.

Every attendee of this school, myself included, gained tremendous results, had a absolutely positive experience, whether they were a beginner or serious golfer, and all agreed that the three distinct lessons we all learned and carried away with us, were a.) To always TURN and end with a World Class Finish, b.) The motion is the same whether it is a full swing, chip or even a bunker shot and c.) And as our instructors ingrained in us, "Good golfers are willing to give up control in order to get control".

This is a school, where the instructors like to tell you that their students "don't go from a 20 handicap to an 18; they go from a 20 to an 8!" With the lessons learned and diligent practice, I believe this statement!

1-day Scoring Game Tour clinics range from $350 to $375 per person and include 6 hours of instruction and lunch. Three-day schools run from $3,220 per single, $2,775 for double occupancy and $2,325 for commuters. Summer rates are a little less.

Additionally, at the conclusion of the school, students are given two putting training aids to help achieve consistency as well as a logoed Descenti golf shirt- a nice touch of class!

Pelz offers four exclusive facilities at unsurpassed locations throughout the US. With classic elegance, beauty and matchless service, The Boca Raton Resort and Club in Florida is rated "One of America's Top Golf Resorts." On the West Coast, La Quinta Resort and PGA WEST rank as one of the world's preeminent golf destinations. The majestic Rocky Mountains provide the perfect climate for summer golf and the Dave Pelz Scoring Game School ^TM at The Club at Cordillera in Colorado's Vail Valley. Georgia's premier lakefront resort, Reynolds Plantation (home to championship golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Bob Cupp, Tom Fazio and Rees Jones) is the newest home to a Dave Pelz Scoring Game School. Pelz personally designed his exclusive teaching facilities at each location to optimize his program for schools and corporate outings.

www.pelzgolf.com or 800.833.7370

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association and a Mediator for the golf industry. He is a contributing writer to numerous national magazines. He can be contacted at drlotz@cbsgolf.net