Putt Like the Pros: Dave Pelz's Scientific Way to Improving Your Stroke, Reading Greens, and Lowering Your Score

by Dave Pelz, Nick Mastroni

Putting has often been described as an art, but the author of this book, by trade a physicist, has analyzed it as never before, using scientific principles. Pelz has come up with a system to perfect your putting stroke -- or at least to come as close to perfect as humanly possible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

Hardcover

First published April 24, 1991

About the author

David T. Pelz was an American golf coach, known for his expertise and published writing on the art of the short game, particularly putting.
Pelz's Short Game Bible was a New York Times "national best-seller" in 1999. Eleven of Pelz's professional students have won a total of 21 major championships. Pelz was named by Golf Digest magazine as one of the 25 most influential instructors of the 20th Century. He was a regular editorial contributor to Golf Magazine since 1982 and produced and hosted "The Dave Pelz Scoring Game Show" on the Golf Channel from 1995 to 2005. Pelz continued his research and instruction at the Pelz Golf Institute in Spicewood, Texas.

Reviews

[Bud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great scientific look at the putting part of golf. Almost all has scientific principles behind it, and where it is subjective, Dave Pelz explains that, and how he found he could not measure it.
This book is for serious golf nuts. People who will work for hours to get a small return, such as 2 percent better at this skill. I fit that profile.
This book was written in 1989, but ball balance/imbalance is still a thing in 2023. Finding a true ball with the technique described in the book is amazing.
I highly recommend this book, and I plan to re-read it in the off-season.
(I re-read this March 2025) I am reinforcing the concepts. Tech of clubs has changed, and all Dave's principles still hold. I DIY made a Teacher Putter, using that for concentration on contact. Other drills will have to wait until winter ends. I have not made a full commitment to do all the things he mentions, not yet. But the easy ones will be on my routine.

[Rendier · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is incredible that something that looks so simple from the outside, can be so involved when you get involved in it ... the devil is in the details, and the details are in this book. Will probably take a lifetime to try and apply all the information in here, but just a small part will make you a better putter.

[Joseph Naus · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's long and a bit technical, especially if you are a "feel" putter. however, it explains some concepts that you ought to know about if you want to get good at putting: the lumpy donut, the perfect speed ... etc.

i'm a great putter. i'm the best damn putter that ever lived, and i owe that, in part to dave pelz.

[John Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second time through, hopefully works this time. 17 inches?

[James Willey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has all you need to know about putting.