Dave Pelz's ideas

[rudygu]

I have been thinking of buying the Shortgame Bible . Is there anything in the book to make it worth paying $25 for, or is it pretty much just the clockface distance control method that has been discussed at length on this and many other forums?

[powerfade]

  rudygu said:

I have been thinking of buying the

Some questions to ask yourself.

Do you want to know what causes the ball to do what it does in the short game? He explains it. Do you like data (results) to support theories? He provides a lot of data. Do you use dead hands in the short game? He tells you how and why you should. Do you use power (coil) in your wedge game, including full wedges? If you do, he'll tell you why you shouldn't What was your answer to the forum question "How far do you hit your 60* wedge? If you use a full power swing with any wedge, you should read this book. Do you know the effects of using higher lofted clubs on sidehill lies? Do you already use the clockface system for all your wedges or do you adjust your swing speed? How many wedges do you use? Why? Why do you have an 18 handicap? Short game? Unless you're already proficient with the entire short game, I'd say buy it.

[rudygu]

  powerfade said:

Some questions to ask yourself.

My short game is most definitely the reason for my 18 handicap - I need a total overhaul.

Thank you for the reply - I'm going to pick up a copy tonight.

[powerfade]

If you need an overhaul, this is good book to start with IMO.

[Quinn07]

I agree with Powerfade. I have been using some of his techniques and I have seen a major improvement in my game. Not only with my score but also with my confidence around the green and in the scoring zone.

[shortgame85]

  powerfade said:

Some questions to ask yourself.

Well said. Your logic is on the money. Pelz is not perfect, not for everyone but he explains well the mechanics of the shortgame. He offers very useful tips. I would recommend his book on the shortgame highly.

[rudygu]

This book is incredible. I bought it 3 days ago and already my short game ballstriking has massively improved. Before, I never knew where (or how far) the ball would go when I tried to hit an abbreviated shot. After 2 days of practice, I am already beginning to consistently hit to set distances

I think this may really help me turn a corner in my scoring.

[powerfade]

  Quinn07 said:

I agree with Powerfade. I have been using some of his techniques and I have seen a major improvement in my game. Not only with my score but also with my confidence around the green and in the scoring zone.

...and that's where us mid 'cappers can really improve to lower our scores in big chunks

(no pun intended).

  shortgame85 said:

Well said. Your logic is on the money. Pelz is not perfect, not for everyone but he explains well the mechanics of the shortgame. He offers very useful tips. I would recommend his book on the shortgame highly.

Thanks...feel-players wouldn't consider a book at all, and even mechanical (or technical) players might think it's too thick, but in reality, if you get past the research, the gobs of data, and understand why he teaches what he does, the read is not bad at all.

  rudygu said:

This book is incredible. I bought it 3 days ago and already my short game ballstriking has massively improved. Before, I never knew where (or how far) the ball would go when I tried to hit an abbreviated shot. After 2 days of practice, I am already beginning to consistently hit to set distances

That's great news. I felt the same way. It's helps to see the methods and system work becasue it does give you confidence. Trust and commit to those short shots and you'll be on your way to single digits.

[Tin Pot]

I like him. I don't like his mannerisms much, but he's trying to use scientific method in sport which scares a lot of people away. He makes me chuckle.

I use the 3x4 system along with pitching lessons I can now, on occasion, threaten the pin from a distance. 20-70 yards is easily the most confident part of my game.

Not so keen on his putting advice, but its still pretty sound.

[JonnyGolf]

So, I really like his book. My chipping style is right out of his book and a couple years back, if I didn't chip at least one in per round, I was disappointed. Now, I hit more greens, but I still feel like I have a good opportunity to hole out chips.

I don't like his putting technique, and I'm too lazy to use his 4 x 3, but the chipping recommendation and discussion of what happens around the green is well worth the money.

Have fun,
jg

[redi630]

I voted "yes" because I like most of what he says. I think calling him a genius is a stretch.

While I haven't read "Short Game Bible", I have seen many videos so I get the concept of the image of a clock when swinging weges. I spent last year practicing it and I really like it.

I have read most of the "Putting Bible" and I learned a lot from it. I strongly disagree with his reasoning of why the square-to-square putting stroke is better. He basically say's that we should putt this way because this is the way a robot putts. I think that is ridiculous.

[DBake]

  cdriver said:

Some guys laminate a card with their wedge yardages on it and clip it to their bags so they have easy access to them. That way you know which club without pulling them all and looking at the taped yardages on the shaft.

+1, I agree

[Crafty]

Dave Pelz is an absolute genius in a technical way, but I am afraid that I can't learn that way. I am very much a feel person when it comes to the short game, and he is very much a mechanical teacher. One of his theories that I do apply is the wedge swings. I practiced it hard and got the feel for how far each swing went. It has made my wedge game much more versatile. As for his putting theories, I can't say that I am a big fan. It seems to me that he puts so many different types of thoughts in your head that you couldn't possibly be all the way focused on your putt. He also teaches the straight back and straight through stroke, which I don't prefer (but that is another topic). He is an excellent teacher and I respect him very much, but I can't say that he would be the best teacher for me.

[BASHERBAKER69]

isnt taping wedge yardages to your grips against the rules..lol?..seems like a unique but not silly thing to do.

with my wedge shots i just cut the shot in to weaken the shot...

i put tee pegs in the butt end of my grips as a Pelz chipping aid.

i admire the fact that he can express ideas in such a complex way, but when it comes to playing there is a danger of paralysis through analysis.

His putting theories are held in high esteem in the professional golfing world but there is less enthusiasm for his approach to chipping and wedge play...he makes simple things seem very complicated.

[iacas]

  BASHERBAKER69 said:

isnt taping wedge yardages to your grips against the rules..lol?

No.

And I've done it for years now. Works great.

[nykfan4life]

great idea. I'm definately going to do it.

[Doctorfro]

I think he's got some good theories and methods but it's TOO much. If I incorporated everything he suggests I would probably have to quit the game because my head would explode.

And yo, Dave! I miss on the pro side MOST of the time!!

[Pinseeker81]

  Doctorfro said:

And yo, Dave! I miss on the pro side MOST of the time!!

Me too. I always read break that isn't there.