Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible: Master the Finesse Swing and Lower Your Score (Dave Pelz Scoring Game)

All good

The reviewers name is Cheryl but I'm her husband giving this review. I'm also going to post this review with the Pelz Short Game Bible also since most comments apply to both books. The big caveat mentioned is that I took the Pelz 3-day short game school and then bought and read the Putting and Short Game Bibles. Because I went to his school these books are invaluable as resource material and as reminders of the tools and techniques we learned in the school. I have friends who've read the books and have tried to apply the techniques without the advantage of having had personal instruction and they've had less success. If you're reading this you're a golfer who wants to improve but you probably understand it's hard (impossible in my opinion) to self-teach and self-correct putting and swing flaws. For example, I read Pelz's earlier book "Putting Like the Pros" and followed the techniques to a tee (no pun intended) or so I thought. I thought I was doing everything right but was still putting poorly. I learned in the school I was doing several things incorrectly even though I thought I was doing what Dave outlined in his book. That's not to poo-poo the Putting or Short Game Bibles if you haven't, or don't intend to take one of his schools, because there's a lot of valuable information in both books that should improve your game. Just be aware that much of the material is difficult to fully comprehend via the written word as opposed to visual input from real professionals. As an example of some changes that I made that you wouldn't get from the book had to do with my putter. I had a standard lie putter that was 35 1/2 inches long. I'm 6'3" so that sounds reasonable…right? Well, it was determined in class based on my set-up, posture, putter path, eye-line, etc., that I really needed a putter that was 33 1/2" long which "forced" me to get into a proper posture and set-up. I also had to change the putter head weight, lie angle, and grip. These are things that you won't get from the book but may be critical to your ultimate success. There's some other things too, like the "finesse grip" and 7:30-9:00-10:30 swing positions in the short game that some might find confusing. Also, be aware that even though I went to the school making changes to your putting set-up, putter, stroke, etc., can be very frustrating and it will take time and require some serious practice. The same applies to the short game. Nobody ever said golf is easy though great players make it look as though it is. There are two putting aids that I will highly recommend if your serious enough to get the book and work on your putting and that's Dave's "Putting Tutor" and his "Teacher Putting Clips". He has a bunch of aids but these two are the best if you want to improve your putting. They can make a real difference in your putting accuracy. The Clips give you feed back on hitting putts on the putter sweet-spot (a critical element to good putting), and the putting tutor will confirm that your eyes are over the line of the putt and that you are able to stroke the putt along the intended path. The nice thing is that they can, and should, be used in your home. The putting tutor can be used on the practice green but that's not necessary except perhaps as a periodic check. These can purchased on Pelz' web site. I do have one criticism of the Short Game Bible and that has to do with the pitch shot (3-30 yards from the green) situations that you will confront on any course. That chapter is too general and I think more time should have been devoted to the numerous situations and alternative shot options and techniques that you should consider. Good luck, I hope my comments helped.

I am new to the game of golf (3 years) but old to the game of life (don't go there!). One would hope that wisdom would trump years of golf played, but not so much. This is a maddening game that I punish myself with at least 4 times a week. Perhaps it is that one perfect shot in each round that keeps me coming back. As a beginner, it did not take me long to figure out that the secret to taking strokes off the game is to learn a good short game and too putt well and with confidence. I am a natural at the putting but until I read and have reread many times, David Peltz "Short Game Bible", I really did not understand the many subtle ways the short game is played. It did not take me long to figure out that the score was made within 67 yards of the green, but what club to use and how to use it was a continual frustration.Although his formula will work for someone who has played a long time or has hours to practice the short game, I just needed insight on how this part of the game is different. Understanding the concept of the finesse swing and still hands has helped me come a long way in a short time. Getting adrenaline under control and staying calm are as important to the perfect chip and pitch as club selection. I know this because I have an evil sand wedge that does not know how to get the ball out of the bunkers and a buried lie is an instant unplayable lie still.The book is not an easy read and must be consulted almost after each round when I freeze over the ball and try to remember what I am suppose to do and which club to do it with; a review of the book at this time is a good reinforcement. One thing about golf, unlike other sports, is the course is different and plays different with each round because you seldom end up in the same place on a course played on a regular basis. Knowing the short game principles as laid out in this book has helped a beginner like me. I watch experienced golfers with low handicaps and sometime feel they could do with a refresher course in the principles of the short game!

Dave Pelz hits the nail squarely on the head.Just within the first couple of chapters, I have learned so much information to help me so profoundly - I only wish I had had this many years ago.Just three things that I could mention, right up front:I have suffered from "chili-dip itus," for many years, and had no idea why it would happen.All I knew is that it would absolutely ruin my mood, and almost my whole day, whenever it did happen.But I found that simply playing the ball squarely in the middle of your stance, rather than too far forward, solves the problem, instantly.Secondly, I have long wanted to be able to hit a sand wedge on my short approach shots, but was petrified, like most guys are, of using a sand wedge - even in the sand trap.But I find, with his instruction, it's a piece of cake - really - and I have practiced it, and found almost immediately that my fondest desire will be easily doable next spring, and it will transform my game, I'm sure.Thirdly - sand trap shots have bedeviled me virtually every time I have ever been in a sand trap. I'll bet I could count on one hand the really good sand trap shots I have ever made in my life.But he - who actually does know whereof he speaks - makes it simple, by explaining, step-by-step, exactly how to do it, and also explains why you do it that way, and what happens when you do, and why it works.I'm not finished with the book yet - I've barely cracked the cover - but I can tell you it is a wonderful find for a golfer, and makes you realize that there are actually simple solutions to problems that have overwhelmed you for a long time.

If you're looking for a golf book to inspire you, to help with pitching and chipping then this is the best I've personally come across - it's analytical, sometimes a little too much so, but it'll also give you the tools so if you're (say) 56yrds out then you'll know how to hit it close, with a couple of different clubs - it's revolutionised my (previously shockingly bad) short game.BUT the Kindle edition is simply terrible. Formatting is literally all over the place and images look like they were scanned in on a BBC Micro c1984.I can give the book no higher commendation that I've not demanded a refund on the Kindle edition - I want to keep the priceless content, even if I have to put up with it being presented in a way that means I have to scroll back and forward in the Kindle edition to make sense of it.It's a shame, because if given some attention in translating to Kindle it would be one of (if not THE) golf books I'd recommend without hesitation. If you're interested maybe download a sample then it you like they look of it go and buy a physical copy - be warned, the be Kindle presentation is almost (but not quite) unintelligible

This book is full of useful tips and background information.Most importantly, David Pelz tells the reader WHY to perform certain actions and gives detailed explanations of the consequences of different courses of action.I have sent copies of this book to many of my golfing friends and they have all learnt something useful that has helped them to improve their game.

Not as useful as the Putting bible and the method of synchronous hip and shoulder turn can lead to inconsistencies. I personally prefer restricting lower body movement. Locking the knees by turning them inwards makes putting very consistent. Much more so than the method in the book.

This version is utter toilet for kkindle. None of the text works, terrible pictures that you can't read, and it has also crashed my kindle so I can't read it. Complete waste of money.

Although a little long winded to start off, once you've got through the research and background I found the book very useful for improving my short game. I found it useful to practice from my armchair during inclement weather then put into practice on better days. Like any book it is not a miracle worker and the only real way to improve is practice, but using Daves tips I now have some factual info to put into my practice.