Best short game book

[scarletknight64]

I'd like to get one book that covers the short game for a beginner/high handicapper. In terms of the concepts taught as well as how clearly the material is to follow and understand, can anyone recommend which of these would be of greatest help: Mickelson, Utley or Pelz. Also, are they more or less the similar making the whole point moot or do they have different philosophies. No need to address putting here as I would prefer to get a separate book regarding putting.

 

Thanks as I can use all the help I can get

[BigPete]

I would get the Mickleson DVD - it's really very straightforward and I think it helps seeing the instruction in motion, albeit the wrong way round.

It's a great basis for your short game as it simplifies evertything into one swing idea (there's a bit on putting but I'm not really down with his theory there tbh)

[happyroman]

I like Utley's approach a lot. He differentiates between a chip and a pitch based on how contact is made with the ball and turf. His definition of a chip is a shot where the clubface strikes the ball first, then the sole of the club strikes the turf. In his world, a pitch is a shot where the bounce of the club strikes the turf just before the clubface makes contact with the ball. He says that this allows greater margin for error with the contact and produces a nice high soft shot that lands softly with little or no roll. He uses the same basic technique for pitches and basic sand shots.

Although not on your list, and not a short game book, Bobby Clampett's [i]The Impact Zone[/i] is excellent for learning short game technique. He teaches the swing based on learning five dynamics, each of which builds on what was learned previously.

The first three of his dynamics are directly applicable to the short game. He teaches a [b]flat left wrist[/b] through the putting stroke, the [b]forward swing point[/b] through chipping, and [b]loading the club[/b] through pitching. It's a natural progression that is easy to learn and develop, and is the foundation to a good full swing technique.

[dlam]

I have utley's book art of the short game and seen PM dvd. Both are excellent and I would say are the principles for my short game which is one wedge.

I had followed Pelz teaching using multiple wedges but didn't progress as well as I like. Plus Pelz's book are too long. KISS approach to the short game is a better and gives you more confidence.

[dbleag]

Get a copt of Paul Runyan's book. He was pretty short off the tee, so he really needed a great short game. I think he's the one who ended Byron Nelson's winning streak.

[Body_Visions]

I would get Mickelson. His method is very easy to understand and natural. I have both Utley books for sale. PM me if you are interested.

[phillypete]

Phils DVD is presented in a very nice fashion hence your more likely to watch it more than once.

[jpt]

Ray Floyds "From 60 Yards and In"

[orlandogolfer]

i love watching mickelsons DVD!!!

[SadTrombone]

Pelz' Short Game Bible and Pelz' Putting Bible.

I read them a few times a year. They're excellent, IMO.

-mini

[scarletknight64]

Lots of votes for Mickelson DVD and a few for Utley. Looked up the Paul Runyan book as well as Ray Floyd's on Amazon. Cant tell much about the Table of Contents or a sample chapter.

For those with the Mickelson DVD, did you buy the book too. Is it redundant. So I'll get the DVD. Does anyone know if the book is more complimentary or redundant. A book would helpful when travelling without a computer or just to leaf back and forth. Any comments here on the companion book?

[Logie]

Another vote for Utley as its a simple and easy technique. Not seen PM DVD but it does sound interesting, but i always find it akward watching a lefty :P

[dlam]

I like watching the DVD. Sometimes in print meaning gets lost because misintrepretation or translation is correct but not in the right context.

There is a short game DVD by Funk and Furyk that is interesting too.

[dorfblee]

I have not seen the Mickelson dvd, but it sounds interesting. What is your full swing like? Do you prescribe to a certain method?

Utley's method lines up closely with a rotary type of swing. Whatever you choose, make sure you commit to the 'vanilla' set up they offer first, before you tweak it to fit your game. For Utley, once I got the two contact types down, I started adding variations in face angle, etc.

[scarletknight64]

[quote name='dorfblee' timestamp='1283278403' post='2671618']
I have not seen the Mickelson dvd, but it sounds interesting. What is your full swing like? Do you prescribe to a certain method?

Utley's method lines up closely with a rotary type of swing. Whatever you choose, make sure you commit to the 'vanilla' set up they offer first, before you tweak it to fit your game. For Utley, once I got the two contact types down, I started adding variations in face angle, etc.
[/quote]




I am taking lessons on the full swing and with the exception of the driver which I tend to push to the right, my ball flight is pretty straight. My swing is fairly conventional, sort of following Hogan's approach in terms of swing arc, but as a senior my flexibility isnt what it was when I was 30 so making a full turn depends on how my back is feeling that day. Roughly my drives go about 195-210.

If any part of my game is ahead of the rest its putting. I seem to have a "feel" for that as a beginner, I have been averaging between 2 to 2.2 putts per round over the past 20 or so rounds. If I could pitch and chip a little better, I feel I could get more 1-putt greens and make up for a lot of what I lose in length.

Hope that answers your question

[CNCSQUARED]

Screw the DVD's out there, get a book and get this one...

[b][size="5"][b]Ray Floyds "From 60 Yards and In" [/b][/size][/b]

This is the equivalent of Hogans 5 Fundamentals but focused on short game.

[HackerD]

+1 on Utley. Read putting and short game books and both transformed my short game. I'm a total believer in the Utley approach.

[Tee_Party]

Stan Utley

[HitEmTrue]

I've gone through Pelz, Mickelson DVD, and Utley. They all have good information, and I'm using Utley's technique right now. But that last piece shouldn't matter to you, because I might as well be the man on the moon. :)

[quote name='happyroman' timestamp='1283207106' post='2669689']
I like Utley's approach a lot. He differentiates between a chip and a pitch based on how contact is made with the ball and turf. His definition of a chip is a shot where the clubface strikes the ball first, then the sole of the club strikes the turf. In his world, a pitch is a shot where the bounce of the club strikes the turf just before the clubface makes contact with the ball. He says that this allows greater margin for error with the contact and produces a nice high soft shot that lands softly with little or no roll. He uses the same basic technique for pitches and basic sand shots.
[/quote]

Where does Utley make the differentiation of the strike between chip and pitch? He makes several references to the basic chip in the book, but for the life of me can't find where he describes how he does it. Even with the Utley setup for a pitch, I still try to hit the little ball before the big ball (Pelz speak), knowing that if I fail in that regard, the shot has a better chance of being serviceable.

[dwboston]

I have both Utley's book and Mickelson's DVD, and Phil's DVD is far better. Utley's book, IMO, is missing key information and pictures in swing sequences that are needed to really illustrate his techniques. The bunker shot section was especially frustrating. It irritated me to pay $25 for the book and feel like Utley was being cagey with giving away his "secrets". Why write the book then?

Mickelson's DVD is great - every technique is explained (along with the common faults) and there is slo-mo of just about every type of shot to reinforce it. The production values are very good as well.

[Pepperturbo]

I don't believe there is a "best" short game book, or instructor... The best information can only be had as a compilation from a number of golf legends. Mine happen to be Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan; none of which claim short game guru status like a Pelz. or some others.

[zach383z]

I'm sure the book would be just as good as the DVDs, Phil Mickleson's Secrets of the Short Game is fantastic as others have said.

[firstbatch]

Phils DVD is good, but it would be much better if he described hinging action better and incorporated a bit of Lynn Blakes info on vertical and angle hinging. For chipping close around the green Stockton makes it simple and very useable

[HackerD]

There have been some good threads here that really helped with the Utley method. For example, one key on bunker shots is to feel like your right elbow (for right-handers) goes straight up along your rib cage.

[mat562]

Tom Watson's [i]Getting Up and Down [/i]is a very good introduction to the short game and is ideally suited to a novice player looking to learn the basics of a sound all-round short game which he can take away and use as the basis for some structured practice.

It lays out Watson's pitching, chipping and sand play thinking and techniques clearly and concisely, is well illustrated with some delightful Anthony Ravielli artwork and is readily available for just a few quid. It's a book I read as a youngster and one from which I learned a great deal. Although it's a few years old now, everything in it is still relevant and applicable to the modern game and equipment. The only real drawback is that the use of the lofted (60 degree or more) wedge is not covered.

[dlygrisse]

IMHO, and I have read a lot of golf instruction books.....

1. Utley, The Art of the Short Game- I really like his opinion on pitching, and chipping as well, other methods are good but his basic shots are the simpleist to repeat and once you get the feel of them give the most consistent results. I don't however like or have a feel for his sand and flop shot techniques.

2. Faldo's book A Swing For Life is good for teaching a variety of shots, you can pick up some ideas for different types of shots like the chip-putt

3. Nicklaus's book Golf My Way teaches some basic short game shots, he was not known for the short game but he gives a no nonsense approach that covers the basics.

4. Pelz, IMO he is too technical, some of his info is interesting but it is too mechanical for me, I like more of a one or two club approach, more feel but it works for some. Much like his putting Bible there are some great concepts but take it with a grain of salt, IMO.

5. I have not seen Phil's DVD but hear it is great and have seen some excerpts in magazines etc. I am sure it is a solid method and would not hesitate to watch it. Hinge and hold is the main theme from my understanding.

6. Runyan, I have not read his book but have read some of his philosophy, from my understanding he likes more of a putting motion, kind of old school but simple and effective.

7. Floyd, have not read his book but he is considered by many as the best chipper ever, the guy could hit a chip more accuratly than most could putt, I would like to pick it up

8. Check out Tom Watsons DVD as well

[Twoironblade]

For me, the books by Ray Floyd and Tom Watson have been the best by far.

[happyroman]

[quote name='HitEmTrue' timestamp='1283440851' post='2675492']
I've gone through Pelz, Mickelson DVD, and Utley. They all have good information, and I'm using Utley's technique right now. But that last piece shouldn't matter to you, because I might as well be the man on the moon.

[quote name='happyroman' timestamp='1283207106' post='2669689']
I like Utley's approach a lot. He differentiates between a chip and a pitch based on how contact is made with the ball and turf. His definition of a chip is a shot where the clubface strikes the ball first, then the sole of the club strikes the turf. In his world, a pitch is a shot where the bounce of the club strikes the turf just before the clubface makes contact with the ball. He says that this allows greater margin for error with the contact and produces a nice high soft shot that lands softly with little or no roll. He uses the same basic technique for pitches and basic sand shots.
[/quote]

Where does Utley make the differentiation of the strike between chip and pitch? He makes several references to the basic chip in the book, but for the life of me can't find where he describes how he does it. Even with the Utley setup for a pitch, I still try to hit the little ball before the big ball (Pelz speak), knowing that if I fail in that regard, the shot has a better chance of being serviceable.
[/quote]

On pages 25-26 of [i]The Art of the Short Game[/i], Utley says the following: "In a chip shot, you're reducing the loft of the club through impact and hitting the ball first, and then the ground with the leading edge of the club. In a pitch shot, you're playing the shaft in a more neutral position and hitting the ground with the bounce on the bottom of the club, and then the ball. That's it. The difference is in the kind of impact you create."

[Deadpool_25]

If you want a book, grab Utley's. If you want a video grab Mickelson's. I'd say get Mickelson's vid through Netflix--a friend's if need be, and just buy Utley's book. Then you can decide which is best for you.

[HitEmTrue]

[quote name='happyroman' timestamp='1283555329' post='2678146']
On pages 25-26 of [i]The Art of the Short Game[/i], Utley says the following: "In a chip shot, you're reducing the loft of the club through impact and hitting the ball first, and then the ground with the leading edge of the club. In a pitch shot, you're playing the shaft in a more neutral position and hitting the ground with the bounce on the bottom of the club, and then the ball. That's it. The difference is in the kind of impact you create."
[/quote]

Thanks, Roman...

The chip motion should be shorter, so I thought he'd have a description somewhere. Some hit a chip like a putt (no lower body pivot).