"Lowest Score Wins" by Barzeski and Wedzik

[Dinoma]

I did my shot zones on a trackman at a range near where I live. was very easy to get the info required, there seemed to be a problem with the total distance on the one I was on so I've got carry distance in there.

I put all the info in excel to get a visual of what they look like then manually drew some zones around them. I've attached the excel file in case anyone else finds it useful as a recording tool. You can download from this link below.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9h0rym7yrt8azl0/Shot_Zones.xlsx

[RFKFREAK]

I did my shot zones on a trackman at a range near where I live. was very easy to get the info required, there seemed to be a problem with the total distance on the one I was on so I've got carry distance in there. I put all the info in excel to get a visual of what they look like then manually drew some zones around them. I've attached the excel file in case anyone else finds it useful as a recording tool. You can download from this link below. [URL=https://www.dropbox.com/s/9h0rym7yrt8azl0/Shot_Zones.xlsx]https://www.dropbox.com/s/9h0rym7yrt8azl0/Shot_Zones.xlsx[/URL]

Pretty dope. Nice job with Excel.

[iacas]

Obviously, AimPoint instruction can be beneficial for high handicaps (from green reading to making sure your eye fits the putter line, etc.), but for those who are single digits and lower (lots of experience in green reading and most likely start their putts where they want), how much advantage is it really to taking a class if the benefits aren't making that much of a difference in score?

Take an AimPoint class. As @cipher pointed out, reducing your putting average even half a stroke a round reduces your handicap half a stroke a round. At low single digits (or + handicaps), half a stroke is HUGE. Green reading is a higher SV skill than "15-25 foot putts" because of the SCOR. You can read the green with virtually every putt, so the O-value is huge - possibly mid-20s - and that's multiplied by 0.1 or 0.05 even… but 0.05 * 20 = 1 full stroke.

Tiger Woods misreads putts all the time. The direction of break all the time (this is also in the book).

[phillyk]

Take an AimPoint class. As @cipher pointed out, reducing your putting average even half a stroke a round reduces your handicap half a stroke a round. At low single digits (or + handicaps), half a stroke is HUGE. Green reading is a higher SV skill than "15-25 foot putts" because of the SCOR. You can read the green with virtually every putt, so the O-value is huge - possibly mid-20s - and that's multiplied by 0.1 or 0.05 even… but 0.05 * 20 = 1 full stroke.

Tiger Woods misreads putts all the time. The direction of break all the time (this is also in the book).

I would like to take a class, but looking at the schedule would require too long a drive for me...

I'm sure there are ways of getting better at green reading that i can find online, maybe not as good as AimPoint, though.  Yes, you can get better at reading greens, but I still feel that if one got there full swing and course management to the point of pro level status, that putting would be good enough to keep them there as well.

I guess what my biggest problem is that I'm saying should I do one thing or another, instead of doing both things.  See, I'd rather drive 5min and practice at a good facility on all parts of my game, vs drive 2 1/2 hours one direction and pay for a 1hr class.  The potential gain is that .5 stroke, but as anything there is no guarantee here, and going that far is not something I can do right now.  Perhaps in the future I can do it or if a class comes closer.

[iacas]

I'm sure there are ways of getting better at green reading that i can find online, maybe not as good as AimPoint, though.  Yes, you can get better at reading greens

The book has ways, as you know.

but I still feel that if one got there full swing and course management to the point of pro level status, that putting would be good enough to keep them there as well.

Those things still matter more, yes. That's clear in the SV list.

I guess what my biggest problem is that I'm saying should I do one thing or another, instead of doing both things.  See, I'd rather drive 5min and practice at a good facility on all parts of my game, vs drive 2 1/2 hours one direction and pay for a 1hr class.  The potential gain is that .5 stroke, but as anything there is no guarantee here, and going that far is not something I can do right now.  Perhaps in the future I can do it or if a class comes closer.

There may be no guarantee, but there's a reason it's listed with the SV it has. And it's about as close to a guarantee as possible. Again, Tiger Woods can't even get the direction of all of his putts right… and he plays the same greens virtually every year, to the same pins…

It's also not exactly a skill you need to keep paying for, or keep driving out of your way to get. It's a one-time deal that offers an "instant upgrade" to a skill.

[boogielicious]

@iacas ,

For the shot zones, is the 3W off the deck or off a tee?  Also, do we just interpolate the zones for the clubs in-between assuming similar shape with a graduated dispersion?

Scott

[iacas]

For the shot zones, is the 3W off the deck or off a tee?  Also, do we just interpolate the zones for the clubs in-between assuming similar shape with a graduated dispersion?

For most decent players, they're the same. Other players will only ever use a 3W off the tee… so does that answer the question?

And yes, we listed those clubs because it's highly unlikely your 8-iron is going to be totally different than either your 9I or your 7I.

[boogielicious]

I am getting better with the 3W off the deck.  Off the tee it goes a bit higher.  I also figured the shot zones would increase in size as the loft got lower.

[boogielicious]

My review is posted.

http://thesandtrap.com/products/lowest-score-wins-barzeski-wedzik/reviews/4937

I did not post in the review that my favorite part in the book was on page iii, fifth name down on the left

[isukgolf]

My review is posted.

http://thesandtrap.com/products/lowest-score-wins-barzeski-wedzik/reviews/4937

I did not post in the review that my favorite part in the book was on page iii, fifth name down on the left

Just have to say ... one of the best reviews I have read ... think I will buy another copy for myself after reading it ... :)

Great job!  (and good book for those that don't have it)

[tywarren]

New to the site, as you can see by my posts, but saw this book being promoted a few weeks back.  Pulled the trigger and so far, halfway through, absolutely love it.  Very practical in the application of all facets of the game to better your score.

Thanks for a great addition to the library and one that I will place in my top 5 all time, along with "Every Shot Counts:...".  I suspect though the more I read the further up the list it will go.  Thanks to all for the time to put the book together.

best regards,

Ty

[Shindig]

The one phrase I ran across in today's sectional re-reading made me wonder: do they really want their students to recount a full round stroke-by-stroke?

[Abu3baid]

The one phrase I ran across in today's sectional re-reading made me wonder: do they really want their students to recount a full round stroke-by-stroke?

I usually can no issue..

[iacas]

The one phrase I ran across in today's sectional re-reading made me wonder: do they really want their students to recount a full round stroke-by-stroke?

We said that we often hear about every stroke, not that we want to hear about every stroke.

[Zeph]

I was a excited when finding this book in my mail. On the back, it says "We show you the new way to shoot lower scores - immediately." As a cynic and critic, I must admit that it's a bold statement. I haven't been able to go out the next day and shoot lower scores after reading other books.

I've read a few books on golf through the years. Most on the swing, some on the short game and putting, some which focus on specifics of the swing, but this book takes on some different aspects.

The Separation Value system is a new term for me, but the principles are stuff I've read about in here before. It is a pretty important aspect of golf. You want to shoot lower scores, but where should you dedicate your time and focus? The book makes a solid point in guiding you to where you should focus your attention, and how much time you really should spent on fairway bunker shots. The system is used throughout the book, making it easy to see how it works.

The technique chapters are largely based on 5SK, including some info on drives, chips, bunkers, putts etc. It gives you a good introduction to the 5 Swing Keys, but doesn't go too far in explaining. They rather recommend you check out the 5SK website, with more information. I think this is a good move. The technical aspects of the swing is obviously a big part in shooting lower scores, and I belive video works better than words there. This is also elements that often takes a longer time to get working.

The chapter about advancing your ball is pretty good stuff. I had two eagle attempts (one birdie, one par) on today's 9 holes because of that chapter. Read it, then read it again.

I have not been able to look into the Aimpoint system yet, so I can't say much about it, but it seems like a good one to me. The chapters dedicated to putting gives you all the technical tips you'll need, some statistics and data. There are some nuggets in there which a lot of us amateurs out there could improve greatly from. I kept a certain putting tip in my head when putting today and my speed was a lot better than before.

Towards the end, a lot of pages are dedicated to Building Your Gameplan, which was one of my favorite parts of the book. I've been a member in here for a long time, but I don't think I've come across that way of planning your game before. Once you've read it, you probably think it sounds pretty logical, but is that how you really play? I haven't been able to find my shot zones yet, but it is definitely something I'll try to do.

I could write a lot about this book, but I don't want to put half the book out there. I really, really like this book. Some might say I'm a bit biased - and they are probably right -, but I would not hesitate in recommending this book for anyone out there who plays golf. It covers a lot of aspects in golf and gives you to the point information, but doesn't drag out with page after page on details. Some of the chapters give you the short version of the topic, and give you directions to where you can find more. But it still doesn't feel too short or that there is stuff missing.

Everything is based on facts. It's based on statistics and hard data from Tiger Woods and the PGA Pros to your random weekend hacker. Anyone familiar with TheSandTrap should not be surprised here. Erik and Dave base a lot of their teachings on statistics and facts, which is what makes this such a good book. You don't have to wonder if this is right or not. They are showing you that this is in fact how it works.

I read the book in 4 hours and it's easy to revise chapters if you want to. I literally went out and shot 5 over par on 9 holes today, which is the best I've played so far this year. I want to share an example.

This is the par 5 7th hole at my home course. Distances are in meters.

I usually lay up on this hole. Often hitting a utility instead of the driver off the tee, since I'll be hitting a short iron as my next shot anyways. It's better to lay up at 100 than risk rough, bunkers and stuff...right?

I'm often hitting to (1), then a short iron to (2) and another short iron to (3). Today I hit the driver to (1) (on the right), then hit a 3 wood (230m) to the back part of the green, pin high, 1 meter off the green. A chip and putt gave me a birdie.

While playing the hole, I also noticed a part I really haven't paid much attention to before, at (4). I could hit it there on my second shot, instead of (2). I haven't mapped out my driver shot zone, but I should clear the bunkers on most shots. But should I end up in one, I can still hit a short to mid iron and get myself up there for a short iron in. The risk of hitting the driver isn't as big when I think about it like that. If I end up in a spot where I can't really go for it with a wood, I could always try getting to (4) and have a shorter approach than from (2).

Same story on another par 5, but I didn't hit a very good chip and only got out with a par. I must say, reading this book has given me new ways to look at the golf course, and I shot lower scores, immediately.

[Brian W]

@Zeph well written experience and I cannot wait to get my copy in the mail.  This is killing me to have to wait as I don't have much patience (I think I got into the wrong game for this personal issue haha)

I really like how you were able to describe what the book is going to do without re-writing the book and also talking about how you used it immediately in a personal experience

[kpaulhus]

Finally finished the book last night. Cant wait to get on the course Friday and see how I do with my knew knowledge. Will probably need to re-read the book a few more times, but I did really enjoy it.

[Ernest Jones]

@Zeph

Good review, but it's 5 Simple Keys not 5 Swing Keys. Just sayin'.