October 19th, 2007 | Published in Golf.com Pelz Vault
Photo by Leonard Kamsler
Dear Dave,
I recall seeing a table in GOLF Magazine that showed chipping ratios, carry to roll, as detailed below:
Carry:Roll
| 6-Iron | 1:6 |
| 7-Iron | 1:5 |
| 8-Iron | 1:4 |
| 9-Iron | 1:3 |
| PW | 1:2 |
Do you agree with these ratios? — Steve
May 13th, 2007 | Published in Golf.com Pelz Vault
Send your questions to: askpelz@golf.com
Q: I hit great short-game shots during practice, but I can’t take them to the course with me. I never feel comfortable over the ball and end up chili-dipping or blading my chips. Can you help me out?
A: Tell me if this sounds familiar: On the range, you hit your first shot fat (likely because you played the ball too far forward in your stance). Your following shots get better as you subconsciously make corrections to compensate for the bad ball position. At session’s end, you’re chipping like a Tour pro. Two days later on course, however, you chunk your first chip. Read the rest of this entry »
February 1st, 2007 | Published in Golf.com Pelz Vault
Send your questions to: askpelz@golf.com
When you pull, or accelerate, your club-head through impact, it remains much more stable (and produces more consistent shot results) compared to when you slow down or decelerate. This applies to all swings, but especially short pitches and chips, where deceleration can mean fluffed shots and extra strokes. By no means, however, should you try to speed up at impact or “hit” with your hands to create acceleration. These efforts will ruin your rhythm and produce bad shots. Read the rest of this entry »
August 1st, 2006 | Published in Golf.com Pelz Vault
If you’re familiar with my philosophies, you know how seriously I take the scoring game, and how important it is to your overall score. My research on putting and wedge play is now stretching into its fourth decade, so that’s the area where I can help you the most.
Playing the ball forward in your stance to pitch the ball higher is a no-no.
Of course, there isn’t enough room here to cover everything I’ve discovered in more than 30 years—we’ll save that for future issues of GOLF Magazine. (Look for the new “Pelz Files” beginning in September.) What you can learn right now, however, are the must-have elements of creating Tour-like touch from 100 yards and in. It’s the same information I give to students in my Scoring Game Schools, and it can help you, too.
It’s your bad shots and weaknesses—not your strengths—that largely determine your scores. Take what I know, make it your own, and turn 2006 into your best season ever. Read the rest of this entry »
May 4th, 2006 | Published in Golf.com Pelz Vault
Whenever you feel pressure, your heart rate naturally increases, your breathing quickens and adrenaline starts to flow. But that’s not a good thing when you are about to hit a shot that requires as much precision as you can muster. The last thing any player wants on a pitch, chip or bunker shot are quick, jerky movements.
The best solution to develop a short game that will stand-up under pressure is to not use your muscles to power your short game. Instead, let the power you need to get the ball to the hole come from the energy provided by a free-flowing swing. Read the rest of this entry »