If you're ever going to buy a golf book

[kinhell]

get Dave pelz'a 'Short Game Bible'
I've read a lot of golf books over the winter and this guy explains it all. Its a must read if you want to impove your game.

 

[sawtooth]

Thanks I might look at this as my chipping is not great. Have you had the chance to put what it says into practice? Has it actually helped your game yet?

 

[surefire]

Personally I disagree.

I have read this book, and didn't find it useful at all.

If you're a very mechanical player, you'll probably get on with it, but if you're a feel player, you'll either not like his ideas, or you'll try them and it will conflict with your natural style.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Very scientific in its approach and a bit dry. I did tinker with the clockface style of pitching he describes but found I got too mechanical and lost any feel I had for a shot

 

[HawkeyeMS]

There's a lot of technical info in the book but I think you need to have a lot of time on your hands to perfect it. I use the theory behind the clockface but not so mechanical, like everything in golf you need to find what works for you. At first I tried to follow the book to the letter but couldn't do it so I've modified it to suit me and I get pretty good results

 

[chrisd]

Same for me as others - all far to mechanical. For me putts and chips are all about feel. Even with his clock system you still have to have some feel I believe. It is important, as far as I am concerned, to get a style of piching/chipping that is repeatable and practice, practice and practice the feel of how hard you want to contact the ball to get it where you want it



Chris

 

[surefire]

Adding to my comments, think about other things you may do in life, say you tossed a ball or a frisbee to someone.

You never would judge the distance to throw by an equivalent of the clock system, because the brain is advanced enough to not need to, you can just know or 'feel' how to get the right distance.

The same applies to golf shots.

 

[splashtryagain]

If you want a more open and natural approach, although not instructional, bob rotellas golf is not a game of perfect would be my tip for the book to buy.

 

[TheClaw]

If you want a more open and natural approach, although not instructional, bob rotellas golf is not a game of perfect would be my tip for the book to buy.

A good book but you're right, it won't improve your technique, just help you have confidence in it.

 

[bluenose10]

If you want a more open and natural approach, although not instructional, bob rotellas golf is not a game of perfect would be my tip for the book to buy.

I recommend this book also as I am just finishing it at the moment. I was always intrigued with sports psychology but rotella tells you how it is and I feel it had had an impact on my golf through giving me more confidence.

 

[Tiger]

I think that Short Game Bible is a great starting point for those struggling with their short game. I started with clockface and now think of it like G-Mac (pocket to pocket, waist to waist) my accuracy may be wanting but my distance knowledge is so much better. I'm starting to get the feel thing but clockface helped massively, not to mention all the advice he gives on adjusting for different lies etc.

It was also helpful on bunker play. As with all things it's a starting point that needs personalisation and experimentation. I am starting to see the benefits now.

 

[DCB]

Yep, another vote for Dave Peltz Short Game Bible. It's just about to get its annual airing and re-read before the season starts.

His Putting Bible is another worth reading, again technical and possibly dry for some, but it worked for me.

 

[birdieman]

Interesting read overall but too much information to absorb for it to be a quick fix reference.

Rotella's book was ok but it didn't teach me anything I didn't already know.

I have an e-version of the Pelz book, if anyone wants it pm me your email. It's a 12.6 MB file so may take a while to download.