Powerfade- I agree 100% with you regarding Dave Pelz. I read his book and went to his one day clinic in Boca Raton. I started implementing his open the face and stance sand shots and almost immediately starting shanking all of my short irons. The shanks were making me nuts. I even starting shanking my 5 iron!!
I went to TPC sawgrass this past winter and hit the ball really great but could not chip/putt or hit anything out of the sand to save my life. (birdied 17 though*) my short game was a mess.
I was in the airport bookstore and saw utleys book. I figured what the hell and read it on the flight back home. I saw instant results with my chips and pitches and awesome results with my sand game. no more opening the face and stance and swinging across my Stance, but most of all NO MORE SHANKS!
I need to reread the book because lately my short game has been a bit inconsistant. ( ive been playing 2,3 times a week but have not put any real practice time in) But I highly recommend this book. I looked into lessons with Stan but he is out in Arizona and it is very expensive.