Book Review: You Wouldn’t Believe Me If I Told You

Jay Delsing is the most pleasant, forthright, and interesting professional golfer that I have ever interviewed. When I asked him ‘what is your most vivid memory about playing golf in Chicago?’ Delsing’s surprising answer was not about any tournament victory, low score, or magnificent shot, but rather that a maintenance worker at Butler National Golf Club drove Jay’s sister to the maintenance shed to use the bathroom.

Jay Delsing

With genuine enthusiasm, Jay related how that episode unfolded. “I came to Chicago to play in a college tournament at Butler National Golf Club, and my older sister (Jay’s siblings include three older sisters and one younger brother), who was pregnant at the time, came to watch me play in this tournament. The sudden feeling for the need to use the bathroom became an instant problem for her as Butler National is a male only institution and women were not permitted in the clubhouse, so one of the maintenance workers offered to drive her to the shed to use its bathroom. Safeguarding her privacy, he stayed outside and then drove her back to resume watching me.”

Jay’s answer to my question is a prime example of how his engaging storytelling and insightful commentary have made him a beloved figure in the golfing community. He has inspired and entertained both seasoned players and aspiring golfers alike. Whether sharing anecdotes from his time on Tour or analyzing the latest developments in the sport, Jay’s passion for golf remains as strong as ever.

Jay Delsing’s Bio: Jay was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 17, 1960. Delsing’s father, Jim, was an outfielder in Major League Baseball for 13 years for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City A’s from 1948 to 1960. Jay grew up in the North County Area of the St. Louis region. As a child he loved and played many sports including baseball, softball, wiffle ball, basketball, football, and (street) hockey. He learned golf at the now demolished North Shore Country Club and chiseled a profoundly successful junior amateur tournament resume that earned him a golf scholarship to UCLA.

Jay Delsing

Delsing entered UCLA in 1979 and played four years of college golf with various teammates being Corey Pavin, Steve Pate, Tom Pernice Jr., and Duffy Waldorf. Jay is third all-time in tournament victories for UCLA men’s golf with seven. This includes four victories in the 1981–82 season. Delsing’s seven victories trails only behind Pavin’s eleven and Waldorf’s nine. In 1983, he graduated from UCLA with a degree in economics.

Jay turned pro in 1984. He competed in 565 PGA Tour events in his career. His best finishes on the PGA Tour are runner-up finishes at the 1993 New England Classic and the 1995 FedEx St. Jude Classic. He also had 3 third-place finishes, 11 top-5 finishes, and 30 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour.

Upon reaching age 50 in 2010, Jay competed in 15 tournaments on the PGA Champions Tour. In 2015, Delsing joined Fox Sports as an on-course commentator and broadcaster. Since 2019, Delsing has hosted ‘Golf with Jay Delsing‘ on 101.1 ESPN Radio in St. Louis Missouri.

Golf with Jay Delsing

Expanding his media talents in 2025, Jay became an author with his first book entitled “You Wouldn’t Believe Me If I Told You”. Drawing upon decades of competitive golf and media travels, Jay Delsing has met or crossed paths with thousands of golfers, celebrities, sports heroes, and politicians. And now he writes about them.

Name dropping is prevalent all throughout Jay’s book. The book begins with a forward by Jack Nicklaus (wowser!) and an introduction by David Feherty (more, wowser!). The dust jacket contains reviews by Bob Costas and Brad Faxon; additionally there are images of notes or letters to Jay from President Gerald Ford and Byron Nelson.

Earning a golf scholarship to UCLA included lodging for Jay. The information and description of his accommodations was my favorite takeaway from ‘You Wouldn’t Believe Me If I Told You’ and it is almost unbelievable. Jay’s lodging was not a dormitory, frat house, or apartment, rather, he stayed in a home located on the grounds of Bel-Air Country Club that was once owned by Lana Turner. Jay’s host in this 8,000-square-foot mansion was the widow of Robert Paxon McCulloch, inventor of the McCulloch chainsaw. A staff of six or eight (maids, cooks, etc.) cared for the building, but it was Jay’s responsibility to feed and walk the dogs.

Other episodes told by Jay in his book included the altercation (fistfight) between two PGA Tour pros in the fitness trailer during the tournament in Houston. Jay’s reaction and actions when accused of cheating by Scott Hoch is another incredible tale; so is strumming with Stephen Stills, as is putting with his eyes closed in a PGA Tour event.

Jay also includes stories of interactions, both good and bad, with PGA Tour rules officials, one of which Jay nicknamed ‘Dr. No’. And then there is the occasion of Slugger White’s reprimand of a slightly out-of-line Kevin Costner during the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Playing nine holes with Sean Connery and meeting Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are also events Jay will never forget.

The book is an easy read and its compact size makes it simple to tote along anywhere.

Product details:
Publisher : Mascot Books, an imprint of Amplify Publishing Group
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Availability: current
Language : English (Printed in Canada)
Hardcover : 224 pages
CPSIA Code: PRFRE0125A
ISBN-13 : 979-8-89138-427-9
Item Weight : .8 pounds
Dimensions : 5.5 x .74 x 8.25 inches
List price: $28.00 (USD)