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This book has brought me back into the game with a better short game and lower scores. Stan Utley writes in easy to understand language and his instruction really works. I've been getting up in two and end up four strokes later over par.
I made some notes (4 lines on in index card) and went to the practice green. The book goes on the shelf with the rest of them and it's back to "hit and hope". 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. Two suggestions.read the book all the way through and then go back and pick up the details.
I've played the game for 50+ years with a "sure hope this gets close" short game. It took all of 20-25 minutes to get it together but the improvement was nothing short of remarkable. Utley hit some shots. What I "know" about the short game I've taught myself, learned from observation or gleaned from 30 or more instructional books.
Won't take long because there are only 4 moves that will forever change the way you approach the short game. If you are serious about your game and want to get better, buy this book. 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". This book was totally different.brief and to the point with instruction that I can call, without exaggeration, game changing.
as a mid handicap golfer I would like to see much more Photos in a good instruction book like this.
Once I did it has been very helpful. It took awhile for some subtle points to sink in, namely the importance of cupping the wrist on sand shots, creating lag on chips. I have made major progress in my short game because of the tips and instruction from this book. I have read countless books on improving my game and this is one of the most practical and useful.
And after all, as Utley says, isn't that the point. No more skulls and two-foot muffed shots. It's completely intuitive and natural; it just feels right standing over the ball (vs. I would have also liked to see more bullet points and a "1-2-3" sequence of things for each shot he talks about.
But that's the 3-5 strokes I've been missing to shoot my 1st sub-80 round. Maybe that's because I'm more of a visual learner. 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). That alone, was worth the price of this book, as I actually look forward to up/down opportunities (and practicing them). The pivot move and lower body movements he advocates has me hitting the ball consistently and cleanly.
For those negative reviewers out there, I say lighten up. What I find interesting in the reviews is the complete love/hate relationship with the book (90% love). my previous methods). I picked this one over Pelz' book due the glowing reviews on Amazon. Imagine that, actually looking forward to these shots, what a concept.
After struggling for 20 years around the greens (12 - 15 HDCP), I finally decided to try something like read a book (duh). I had to read and re-read this book in certain sections, with notes and highlights, to fully digest Utley's advice and methods. 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). I was always anxious and unsure of myself around the greens and this book w/in a week of reading has nearly eliminated that. But if you use this book how I have, as a reference and study guide, this is a minor issue. 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).
My only regret is not buying this book sooner. Simply take away what works and be happy. 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. The summary section at the end was excellent, as were the section on the drills. Perhaps improvements for the next edition. The only complaint about the book, as some noted, were the photos and descriptions vs.
If you practice, and adopt these methods correctly, you will improve and score, that much I promise you.
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.
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).
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.
I fall into the "love" camp, this book totally clicked with me.
(I definitely agree with the reviewers who suggested that you should read and practice the drill section before trying on the course/practice green.
the text, I found some of them hard to follow.
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.
But it does, as others have noted, take some time to digest (and time to practice).
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