Golf Without Fear from Dave Pelz-Latest Contribution To Golf Instruction

We all benefit from a kick in the pants as much as we despise its taste and sensation. While I don’t believe that Dave Pelz ever rested too much on his laurels, the arrival of Stan Utley on the short game-instruction scene in the mid 2000s served as the kick in the pants that Pelz needed to compile the data on which “Golf Without Fear” is based. Pelz had published three tomes during the preceding decade, the two “Bibles” on the short game and putting, along with a volume on damage control. Golf Without Fear goes a step beyond all and addresses specific concerns of competitive amateur golfers of all handicap levels.

Pelz culled his data from the World Amateur championships in Myrtle Beach. He went with a team and interviewed hundreds of competitors, ultimately determining which shots invoked the greatest fear in golfers. What resulted were two types of putts, two sand shots, three full shots, two pitch shots and one “other.”

Pelz then developed a structure for defining and correcting each bad/fear-causing shot. Beginning with problem identification, Pelz proceeded to corrective measures. For example, regarding most feared shot #10, long putts, the need for a putting routine and better binocular viewing of the putt (related to distance comprehension)are suggested. Success examples and a conditioning program follow, escorting the golfer/student from failure toward success.

The volume is quite valuable for its abandonment of generic instruction and its adoption of problem-specific identification and correction. Pelz identifies problem areas that will benefit all golfers and makes suggestions that will foster creativity in any golfer with an open mind. Subtitled “How to play the 10 most feared shots in golf with confidence,” stop by a library, used book store or grab a digital version. You’ll be left with no excuses and the road map needed to reach improved golf.