"Your Short Game Solution" by James Sieckmann

[iacas]

Discuss " Your Short Game Solution: Mastering the Finesse Game from 120 Yards and In" by James Sieckmann here.

[iacas]

I'm only halfway through this book, but it's far enough through to recommend it.

I'll be honest, too: I didn't particularly like the DVDs. They had "good" information but I felt too much was left by the wayside, unsaid, or confusing.

The book takes a good step forward from the DVDs he made a few years ago. It still doesn't explain things quite as much as it could, but it more closely approaches explaining things about as much as it should . The distinction is important. Students don't need to know all of the "why" stuff. They need to know the "how" stuff.

The book - and Sieckmann's entire method - is almost identical to this:

I'm happy to answer any specific questions if anyone has them, but for now, I recommend people pick this book up to supplement all that they can learn from the thread above.

[boogielicious]

I'm only halfway through this book, but it's far enough through to recommend it.

I'll be honest, too: I didn't particularly like the DVDs. They had "good" information but I felt too much was left by the wayside, unsaid, or confusing.

The book takes a good step forward from the DVDs he made a few years ago. It still doesn't explain things quite as much as it could, but it more closely approaches explaining things about as much as it should. The distinction is important. Students don't need to know all of the "why" stuff. They need to know the "how" stuff.

The book - and Sieckmann's entire method - is almost identical to this:

I'm happy to answer any specific questions if anyone has them, but for now, I recommend people pick this book up to supplement all that they can learn from the thread above.

Thanks. I like to read good golf instruction books.  I will pick it up and review it.

[nevets88]

I've only skimmed through this and skipped to read what to me, are the "meaty" chapters, where he describes the finesse wedge, bunker shot and distance wedge and I really like this book, the finesse chapter especially. Detailed explanations, home and course drills, helpful photos and written clearly and simply. Will have to see if he has a YT channel or any demo videos. I read Utley's short game book, which was good. This one is goes a bit more into the details. Will write more when I finish.

[boogielicious]

I've only skimmed through this and skipped to read what to me, are the "meaty" chapters, where he describes the finesse wedge, bunker shot and distance wedge and I really like this book, the finesse chapter especially. Detailed explanations, home and course drills, helpful photos and written clearly and simply. Will have to see if he has a YT channel or any demo videos. I read Utley's short game book, which was good. This one is goes a bit more into the details. Will write more when I finish.

I've got up to the setup section.  It is good so far.  I will compare to Utley as I go.

[iacas]

I've got up to the setup section.  It is good so far.  I will compare to Utley as I go.

FWIW, both are good, and teach similarly to how @david_wedzik and I teach it.

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

I've got up to the setup section.  It is good so far.  I will compare to Utley as I go.

FWIW, both are good, and teach similarly to how @david_wedzik and I teach it.

His stance looks a bit more open than Utley.  What effect does that have?

[iacas]

His stance looks a bit more open than Utley.  What effect does that have?

He reaches a relatively square stance. I believe he wants the front foot turned out slightly, and the chest a teeny bit open, which will give an appearance of being more open.

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

His stance looks a bit more open than Utley.  What effect does that have?

He reaches a relatively square stance. I believe he wants the front foot turned out slightly, and the chest a teeny bit open, which will give an appearance of being more open.

Great, thanks.

[boogielicious]

I worked on the set up and finesse technique over the last couple of days.  I like it so far. I took video and will post a video in my My Swing thread.  It got me to thinking that my hips have been rotating on the backswing recently.  Eliminating that rotating really improves contact.

[boogielicious]

My review.

http://thesandtrap.com/products/your-short-game-solution-mastering-the-finesse-game-from-120-yards-and-in-by-james-sieckmann/reviews/5049

[Rick Martin]

Glad to learn that he put out a book - I watched his brother Tom giving instructions to Charlie Wie for about an hour at Arnie's tourney last year - I felt really privileged that they allowed me to be only a few feet away as Tom and Charlie were trying various short chips and hitting out of thick lies......even threw out a few questions to Tom (nice guy).....all on the back of the ninth green during practice round day.....put the book on reserve at my local library. Short game is my biggest weakness-

[boogielicious]

Glad to learn that he put out a book - I watched his brother Tom giving instructions to Charlie Wie for about an hour at Arnie's tourney last year - I felt really privileged that they allowed me to be only a few feet away as Tom and Charlie were trying various short chips and hitting out of thick lies......even threw out a few questions to Tom (nice guy).....all on the back of the ninth green during practice round day.....put the book on reserve at my local library. Short game is my biggest weakness-

I think you will enjoy it.

[Phil McGleno]

Glad to learn that he put out a book - I watched his brother Tom giving instructions to Charlie Wie for about an hour at Arnie's tourney last year - I felt really privileged that they allowed me to be only a few feet away as Tom and Charlie were trying various short chips and hitting out of thick lies......even threw out a few questions to Tom (nice guy).....all on the back of the ninth green during practice round day.....put the book on reserve at my local library. Short game is my biggest weakness-

Thought you had not played in a year?

[Rick Martin]

that's correct - doesn't mean stopped reading.....btw, Sieckman's book is really lacking in good illustrations - a must when writing about swing technique

[Mr. Desmond]

Hi -

After reading various reviews but not refreshing myself here, I bought Sieckmann's online version of the videos with the DVD's coming later. It is not a big investment for $57. The reviews in various places discussed a lack of sufficient illustration. Since I'm a visual type, I went for the Videos before following up with the detail in the book.

Sieckmann's brother caddied for Seve Ballesteros, so Jim is heavily influenced by that experience, as he apparently spent a lot of time with his brother and Seve. 

Not yet able to compare book and video, I can confirm that I would like more information. I watched the videos 3X, then went out and practiced. I was inconsistent, so I watched videos again 2X. Repeated viewing resulted in picking up a technique I had missed. Third time was the charm. It has begun to kick in...

First impressions are that the videos give basics -- but it is a process as explained above. It is more use of the arms than I had imagined. I do not know if my arms can be that relaxed on the course. On the range, no problem. I will need to up the ante in a competition with someone -- it's a confidence issue -- I need more of it.

The short game finesse swing is more arms back and the arms start down first so you can use the bounce of the club. The idea, like Utley, is no lag at impact using a very smooth rhythm. The setup is more stacked with the hands slightly ahead of ball, weight on front foot and remains there. The right side supports the swing,

In this explanation, I am attempting not to blend the short game finesse swing with the distance wedges, and am still learning, so I will leave my review with a summary that it takes attentive watching, and several times to pick it all up. It is worthwhile for the investment, but I will go to Amazon and order the book.

I will continue the review as I learn.

 

[natureboy]

Didn't know he had a book out. Does it have photos to make up for lack of illustrations, or is it mostly text?

Edited November 7, 2015 by natureboy

[Mr. Desmond]

10 hours ago, natureboy said:

Didn't know he had a book out. Does it have photos to make up for lack of illustrations, or is it mostly text?

Can't answer that yet ... but if you own the DVD's, I think it helps if you speak "golf."

You can find him on TPI:

http://www.mytpi.com/exercises#between_the_knees

Edited November 7, 2015 by Mr. Desmond