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I've been getting up in two and end up four strokes later over par. Stan Utley writes in easy to understand language and his instruction really works. This book has brought me back into the game with a better short game and lower scores.
Two suggestions.read the book all the way through and then go back and pick up the details. If you are serious about your game and want to get better, buy this book. Suggestion 2.to tie everything together you may need to see what you read.go on Youtube (put Stan Utley in search) and watch Mr. I'm sure you've been there more than once.buy the book with good intentions, struggle through the first 25 pages of "overlap X and Y then decrease the angle of blah, blah, blah". I made some notes (4 lines on in index card) and went to the practice green.
What I "know" about the short game I've taught myself, learned from observation or gleaned from 30 or more instructional books. This book was totally different.brief and to the point with instruction that I can call, without exaggeration, game changing. Won't take long because there are only 4 moves that will forever change the way you approach the short game. It took all of 20-25 minutes to get it together but the improvement was nothing short of remarkable. I've played the game for 50+ years with a "sure hope this gets close" short game.
The book goes on the shelf with the rest of them and it's back to "hit and hope". Utley hit some shots.
as a mid handicap golfer I would like to see much more Photos in a good instruction book like this.
I have read countless books on improving my game and this is one of the most practical and useful. Once I did it has been very helpful. I have made major progress in my short game because of the tips and instruction from this book. It took awhile for some subtle points to sink in, namely the importance of cupping the wrist on sand shots, creating lag on chips.
Perhaps improvements for the next edition. The only complaint about the book, as some noted, were the photos and descriptions vs. the text, I found some of them hard to follow. But it does, as others have noted, take some time to digest (and time to practice). Imagine that, actually looking forward to these shots, what a concept.
The summary section at the end was excellent, as were the section on the drills. I picked this one over Pelz' book due the glowing reviews on Amazon. As far as the content, I found the book easy to follow, to the point, and well written (those who say otherwise must be reading a different book). It's completely intuitive and natural; it just feels right standing over the ball (vs.
I fall into the "love" camp, this book totally clicked with me. Most of the drills you can do in your house, garage, yard.very simple and they will give you a good "feel" for the proper technique). No more skulls and two-foot muffed shots. And if Utley's methods and teachings don't work for you, than maybe you haven't practiced enough or haven't given yourself time to adjust (as you will need to do).
But if you use this book how I have, as a reference and study guide, this is a minor issue. That alone, was worth the price of this book, as I actually look forward to up/down opportunities (and practicing them). Do yourself a favor, buy this book, it is the only short game book you need (other than Utley's Art of Putting, which I bought after reading this book). I had to read and re-read this book in certain sections, with notes and highlights, to fully digest Utley's advice and methods. The pivot move and lower body movements he advocates has me hitting the ball consistently and cleanly. Simply take away what works and be happy. In all seriousness, this book will not solve all your ills as some reviewers seem to suggest, I think 3-5 strokes off my score is likely where I'll be.
My only regret is not buying this book sooner. I would have also liked to see more bullet points and a "1-2-3" sequence of things for each shot he talks about. I was always anxious and unsure of myself around the greens and this book w/in a week of reading has nearly eliminated that. There are many, many ways to play this game with no right/wrong way, ultimately you need to decide what works for you and what you're comfortable with. But that's the 3-5 strokes I've been missing to shoot my 1st sub-80 round.
If you practice, and adopt these methods correctly, you will improve and score, that much I promise you. Or maybe you are dense and need to have your head examined.have fun going back to your methods and the skulling and chilli dipping your shots. What I find interesting in the reviews is the complete love/hate relationship with the book (90% love).
While I don't agree with everything in the book (using one club around the greens for example), I do agree with his philosophy of mimicking the full swing with chip/pitch shots. Maybe that's because I'm more of a visual learner. For those negative reviewers out there, I say lighten up.
And after all, as Utley says, isn't that the point. After struggling for 20 years around the greens (12 - 15 HDCP), I finally decided to try something like read a book (duh). my previous methods).
(I definitely agree with the reviewers who suggested that you should read and practice the drill section before trying on the course/practice green.
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