The Art of the Short Game: Tour-Tested Secrets for Getting Up and Down

My golf instructor recommended this book to me and I have read it three times now. Last time I played with my son, he said so how did you learn to chip so well

Every golfer's skills and swing issues are a little unique, as is the effect that coaches and tips may have on their game. What works for one golfer may not work as well for another, or at all. Keeping that caveat in mind, I can say that Stan's approach to pitching and chipping definitely and immediately worked for me. My last three rounds have included two personal best scores at two different courses that I play often, all due to getting much closer to the hole more consistently using Stan's method. It was easy for me to learn from the book, easy to practice, and easy to pull off on the course. I typically shoot in the mid to high 90s; my scores since reading "The Art of the Short Game" have been 88, 95, and 87, with more short putts and tap-ins than before. This has transformed my short game from pretty good to a genuine strength.

Really solid concepts here. Ironically, I will say this, and I didn't realize this when I bought the book, but came to realize it when I read and digested it. This is a SHORT GAME BIBLE if you are a full swing proponent of say, a Jimmy Ballard, Ben Hogan, Sam Byrd, or Claude Harmon type swing. In other words, if you believe in the rear-side dominant, underhand/sidearm "throwing" motion of the rear arm, Connected golf swing, get Utley's short game book to teach you the adjustments needed in short swings to use "connection". There are really only 4 things: getting the weight settled forward, ball middle of stance, the forward leg pivot, and the varied position of the left wrist according to whether you're chipping/pitching/or blasting out of sand (or deep rough). Beyond those adjustments, just set up w/ the triangle and keep the club centered back and thru, letting the right side move gently thru the ball to initiate the forward propulsion of the club (don't worry about that creating too much power for the short shot; the pivot on the front leg prevents that).If you're more of a front arm/hand "puller" in your full swing, this could take some time to get used to, and perhaps it' won't be the greatest marriage. Traditional short game methodologies are probably easier to marry w/ that type swing.But Utley's short game methodologies are the most forgiving I've found. Catch a pitch or a sand shot a bit thin, and the ball checks pretty quickly....hit it a tad heavy, and these methods cause the ball to roll out pretty well, so much so that either way, you end up w/ a decent result. Now, nothing helps a full on blade or super-fat shot.Didn't like how in-sequenced the sequencing still photos were in display on the Kindle; that needs to be addressed.

Utley's chipping method seems to be what has become common among tour players. This is a much better description than the dvd explanation by Phil Mickleson on basically the same method. I would rate this part of his book a 5-star. However, his descriptions on the pitch and the sand play are a bit different. Instead of opening the face at address and making a "normal" swing, he stands square to closed at address with a square face. To get the height in your shot, you must rely on the bounce of the sole and the loft by flipping your release. He describes the sand shot with the club leaning backwards, away from the target, to enhance the bounce of the sole. Very handsy and you must practice this sand and pitch method endlessly to become consistent with it, especially on super tight lies. This is how he describes his pitch and sand shots. However, if you look at his swing sequence on pitches and compare that to his chipping, there isn't that much difference, so I think he might be overly emphasizing the hinging (with cupped left wrist) and unhinging move. It doesn't look as extreme as described. He says to "snap a towel" in the bunker with a square face in order to engage the bounce. I've always just opened the face a bit, which automatically increases the bounce without having to flip the club at the ball. It's true though, he says this open-face with open-stance method sends the ball with a spin to the right when it hits the green. I think for most weekend golfers, his method of pitching and sand shots will be difficult to achieve.

This book is awesome! I've got about 15+ golf books/videos and this one tops them all. In literally 45 minutes with a small bucket of balls and a practice green I was hitting 5 out of 7 chips within 2' of the pin from 15-20 yards out. The one's not inside the leather where less than 4'. Another hour of practice and I was doing the same with pitches from 15-25 yards. Before reading this book I dreaded taking out the sand wedge for any shot less than 40 yards. Now I welcome the opportunity. The book is a really fast easy read and jammed with information. There is one thing I would caution readers about - read the book completely. If you try to simply stop on one part and practice what you read (chipping, pitching, sand play, etc...) go to the back of the book and read the drills first. They will help you better understand what your body is supposed to be doing. I'm a visual learner and couldn't quite grasp the pictures and words. The drills put it all together and they are very simple.Bottom line - this is a GREAT book! Stan makes hitting chips and pitches VERY SIMPLE! As you read through the chapters, believe what you read. You'll probably find yourself saying "It can't be this easy." Get out and try it, the shots really are just as simple as they are described.

It has to be said that this book is not a lavish production! It has not got masses of high quality photographs or fine quality paper - and Stan is not brilliant in communicating his techniques. However I personally liked his no nonsense approach. His bunker technique is refreshingly simple, and having read and re-read this, and practiced it, I am now a much improved and consistent bunker player. (And I have looked at the Pete Cowan DVD, and his well explained but more complex techniques) So the ultimate test is whether it actually improves your game. I own this and his putting book, but have also read his companion book "The Art of Scoring". This seems to overlap both books, and I think I would buy that one rather than the other two if not a Stan Utley "completist". The bunker technique is adequately described in that one. I also note he has a new book coming out - perhaps someone has spoken to him and that one has better sequence photographs? Ultimately choosing golf instruction books are the same as choosing a golf coach - you find one whose style you are comfortable with, and that actually gives results.

One of the new classic books on the short game. I won't list the others as you can find them by searching Amazon. This is more of an intermediate to advanced book about playing well from inside 50 yards. Frankly if you don't want to know about opening up the face and its effects, shaft angles, lofts, and effects of grass, you might want to look elsewhere. This is a serious book for players who practice a lot and take their game seriously. All the other stuff you need to know is in the book description and 'Look Inside' facility.

Well , this is the first book to inspire me and I have bought a few recently as I truly want to get my handicap down and not to be called a bandit.My short game consisted of several different clubs from 100 yds in and since reading this book I have found a few minor things in which to work on and improve my game close to the green.Today I went out and bought a new wedge that Stan advises and oh boy this will be my only club I shall be using so no more confusion as to which one from now on.Never have I had perfect chips and pitches within 20ft of the flag and close to the green most were around less than 6ft.Thanks Stan ,I look forward to having lower scores from here on in.

This is a really good book. I've struggled with short game for years, contradictory methods, different set ups, different wrist actions, ball positions etc depending on which book you read or which pro you waste your money on. This one is different, it's simple, logical and crucially for me, believable. Of course you need to practice a lot, this is no quick fix but I can see results and my confidence is returning.

Whilst a lot of what Stan says sticks to the current wisdom on short game there are a few things he proposes that are slightly different. If nothing else some of what hes said has helped with feels more than anything but I could easily play completely using his philosophies. Great book overall.