Dave Pelz - Dave Pelzs Putting Games: The More You Play, the Better You Putt

DAVE PELZS
PUTTING GAMES

The More You Play, the Better You Putt

DAVE PELZ

WITH EDDIE PELZ

GOTHAM

BOOKS

GOTHAM BOOKS

Published by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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Published by Gotham Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

First printing, September 2012

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Copyright 2012 by David T. Pelz

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Gotham Books and the skyscraper logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

All photos courtesy of Pelz Golf Institute, Eddie Pelz, and Sven Nilson.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Pelz, Dave.

Dave Pelzs putting games : the more you play, the better you putt / Dave Pelz with Eddie Pelz.

p. cm.

ISBN: 978-1-101-59085-0

1. Putting (Golf) I. Pelz, Eddie. II. Title.

GV979.P8P44 2012

796.35235dc23

2012018365

Printed in the United States of America

Set in Sabon, Foundry Gridnik, and Meta

Designed by BTD NYC

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers, Internet addresses, and other contact information at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

ALWAYS LEARNING

PEARSON

Version_3

To my girls, Laura Kay and Katherine Lynn,
the best daughters ever. I know I didnt turn out
perfectly, but you raised me the best way
you knew how, and for that I thank you.
I love you both so very much!

Fun

If practice is convenient and fun, is it really practice?

This book is about putting games: how to set them up and how to play them, so that you can have fun and improve your putting skills at the same time. And after playing them, your improved putting skills will transfer to the golf course with you!

The old adage that to improve your putting you must putt on the practice green until your hands bleed or your back breaks is herein replaced with a new motto: Play putting games in the convenience of your home during the weekand then putt better and shoot lower scores on the weekend.

Im not selling false hope, a magic putter that cant miss, or suggesting that you can buy better putting. Im simply saying that if you play these games, your putting skills will improve, and Im also saying that improving your putting skills is the only real and long-lasting way to improve your putting.

What Will This Book Do for You?

It will give you:

1. Games to measure and evaluate your performance in seven areas of putting;
2. Games to improve your putting stroke mechanics; and
3. Games to optimize your putting touch and feel.

Many of these games can be played at home, and if you play them periodically, your putting will improve. The more you play them, the better youll putt. And if you play them carefullyif you set them up properly and follow the rulesyoull optimize your improvement.

Even if you play each game only once, youll at the very least become more aware of the skills critical to good putting, and the areas in which your skills are deficient. And for as long as you play golf, these games will always be there for you: to help you make more putts, shoot lower scores, and reduce your handicap.

Please Read This Book and Open Your Mind

You can improve your putting and have fun doing it. First learn where your putting is weak and how to improve in that area of weakness, and then spend some time playing fun games to actually improve those skills. With just a little effort youll experience measurably improved putting, and theres no limit to how good your putting can get!

If you enjoy golf, competition, and self-improvement, and you want to improve your puttingyoure really on to something here!

T he good news: Putting games are fun, they dont take too much time, and you can play them in the convenience of your own home or on your local practice putting green.

The bad news: There is no bad news. If you dont play them, your putting will continue as before, no harm done.

1.1

Not Why, Just What to Do

Dave Pelzs Putting Games Is Not a Book About Why

Its not about why you should hold your putter this way or that, or why you need a long or short shaft in your putter. Ive already written about my research, testing, and opinions on putting in Dave Pelzs Putting Bible. If you want to get technical about the whys in your putting, read that book.

In these pages I explain and show what I believe to be the best and most efficient way to improve your putting. And I have a reason for writing this book now: my newly discovered Easy-Access approach to learning, which I explain in the next two sections below.

1.2

Playing Games Has Proven Effective

You May Already Know, But In Case You Dont

Ive been researching and teaching the short game and putting for more than thirty years. I work with a staff of the finest short game and putting instructors, teaching two- and three-day Dave Pelz Scoring Game Schools in six locations across the United States (see www.pelzgolf.com for details) and one international location. We also teach one-day clinics in more than thirty cities around the United States each year. In addition, I have personally coached more than one hundred PGA and some eighty LPGA Tour Professionals over the last thirty years. I mention this because I want you to understand that the measurements and games described here have all been used and vetted in my schools and in my personal teaching. They work.