[.ca] Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible: Master the Finesse Swing ... (ISBN 0767903447)

From Amazon.com:
As the reigning rabbi on the mysteries of golf from 100 yards in, Pelz has earned the right to anoint his expansive instruction on the short game a "Bible." A scientist by training, he's analyzed the macros and dissected the micros to come up with a gospel for pros (Lee Janzen, Vijay Singh, and Anika Sorenstam, to name a few disciples) and weekend hackers alike. Pelz fills his scripture with photos, illustrations, charts, and plenty of sage advice on pitching, chipping, sandplay, putting, equipment, execution, mechanics, technique, practice, attitude, lots of questions, and plenty of answers. Much of the Short Game Bible is pretty sophisticated stuff aimed toward better players--or, at least, players who take their golf seriously. But its basics are appropriate to any skill level of the game: Accurately assess your own weaknesses, and then go about improving them systematically with the author's carefully researched and tested plan. It seems so obvious, but the truth is, most golfers either beat balls on the range in search of distance or slave over eight-foot putts on the practice green; they fail to pay enough attention to the shots in between. Pelz does the math for you here; his figures add up, so that yours can go down--the golfing equivalent of forgiving sins and absolving trespasses. --Jeff Silverman

In depth discussion of the different types of shots:
Starts off some analytical data with why the short game helps your score more than the full shots. Then goes into the fundementals like ball position and each type of short game shorts: distance wedges (30-100yd), pitch (<30y), chip (green side), sand. One thing this book can't help you is HOW to make that swing. You have to have a reasonably solid/consistent swing to take advantage of the concepts in the book. It talks about making a synchronized swing but that means different things to different people, so the best way to hone your execution is to go see a pro. The sequenced photos are great but we don't always swing the way we think we do. The best idea of the book though, which help my short and full shot game, has to do with the stabiliby of the clubhead (pulling a cart vs. pushing). It explains why the Pros are more consistent even on their misses. Given the same club head speed, a stable club head will be more accurate (i.e. longer) on average. I'm an enginerd so I dig all these analytical stuff. Anyway, a solid book with great ideas.

It reformed my short game:
As a 10.2 index, this program has turned around my outlook on the short game and golf in general. I am SOOOO much more consistent from within 100 yards, and even though my longer game suffered last year (due to some injury and lessons, reforming my swing a bit), the short game kept my handicap from ballooning. All other things being equal, Pelz's simple approach to the short game will make you a better golfer. He backs up his recommendations for setup, and how to control your distances with stacks of statistical data, instead of feelings or conjecture. Update (1/20/04): Due to a great short game in 2003, my handicap has dropped to a 7.1. Certainly no thanks to my driver, that's for sure. I bagged the driver for the month of August and actually dropped to a 6.0, because giving it another go and rising the extra shot. But the short game kept it down. Thanks Dave!

Great for analytical minds:
This book is excellent for the more scientific-minded golfer. Dave Pelz is a true scientist and breaks down golf from an entirely different angle. His practice sessions are a little unreasonable for most people, though. Not too many people would have the time or resources to figure our exactly how far each short game shot travels, but the book is worth the price simply for the reviews of the fundamentals of the short game swing. Just by reading the book and changing the way I practiced, I have taken about 5 strokes off of my handicap!

Second Quality Shipped:
The book I was shipped had pages 79 - 110 bound upside down and out of order. In other words, facing page 78 is page 110 upside down. Had this been disclosed I would not have ordered this book and will not place any future orders with this merchant.

If you want to improve the short game:
One of the best books I have seen on the short game in golf. Dave Pelz's analytical style makes a lot of sense and helps the golfer understand the 'why' therby being able to accept the 'what'. Learning from this book will certainly improve any golfer's game.