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The Art of the Short Game Lib/E: Tour-Tested Secrets for Getting Up and Down
"The hottest instructor in golf" ( Sports Illustrated ) takes on old-school gurus with a far more accessible, intuitive, and innovative approach to those essential chip shots, pitches, and bunker rescues.
Veteran golfers know that the secret to a lower score is a solid short game, but mastering those small strokes can be maddening—even for the pros. One of golf's most revered instructors, Stan Utley now reveals the step-by-step tactics behind his revolutionary short-game techniques in The Art of the Short Game . After introducing readers to his groundbreaking philosophy that explains why most players don't see all the shots available to them near the green, Utley moves on to shatter conventional wisdom about stance, grip, and ball position. From choosing the right clubs (including a checklist of must-haves that should always be in your bag) to spin reduction during chipping and fearless sand play, The Art of the Short Game demystifies the most aggravating shots on the links. Though Utley's primer features a full set of drills, accompanied by more than seventy-five photos, his approach is far removed from the monotonous, mechanical instruction of yesteryear. Giving a time-tested secret weapon to every golfer at every level, Utley's short-game methods turn trouble shots into triumph.
Veteran golfers know that the secret to a lower score is a solid short game, but mastering those small strokes can be maddening—even for the pros. One of golf's most revered instructors, Stan Utley now reveals the step-by-step tactics behind his revolutionary short-game techniques in The Art of the Short Game . After introducing readers to his groundbreaking philosophy that explains why most players don't see all the shots available to them near the green, Utley moves on to shatter conventional wisdom about stance, grip, and ball position. From choosing the right clubs (including a checklist of must-haves that should always be in your bag) to spin reduction during chipping and fearless sand play, The Art of the Short Game demystifies the most aggravating shots on the links. Though Utley's primer features a full set of drills, accompanied by more than seventy-five photos, his approach is far removed from the monotonous, mechanical instruction of yesteryear. Giving a time-tested secret weapon to every golfer at every level, Utley's short-game methods turn trouble shots into triumph.
Audio CD
First published June 14, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 4, 2015
this was published in 2007 by penguin books and written by stan utley. he's a former pro and since retired has coached a lot of good pros.
it's a short book. it's a bit clunky and overwritten, but the gems in here are shiny and well worth the read. notably:
i like that he starts off by saying that short game is an area where amateurs can do the same thing as the pros. this is true. we may not be able to carry our driver 320 (more like 230 for me), but we can sink a chip or stick a sand shot on the flag whether we are on the tour or playing our yearly round.
i love his distinction between what is a chip and what is a pitch. it's the best i've read because it's right on. it's about the bounce, not the distances or trajectory.
i love how he focuses on bounce. i know single digit handicappers who have no clue about bounce. it's one of those things in golf that is a mystery for most of us, but it is so important.
i love that he advises a square set up on all shots -- even bunker shots!
i love that he teaches techniques that don't rely on spin (this was prophetic since the groove change rule (in 2011?)) because now even pros don't use check-up chips (two bounce and bite) very often.
his sand technique is awesome. i've always questioned the technique of opening up so wide and laying the wedge wide open and swinging across. i've noticed that more pros now, especially lpga, are going to the technique taught in this book and it's certainly easier for the amateur.
it's strange to review a book like this- you don't judge it on the prose or entertainment but on the instructional value ... right???
for me the bottom line is this: i'm about a 10 handicap and i've been even lower, and my short game is my strong suit by far and after reading his book i'm changing quite a few things in my chippping and pitching (mostly squaring up and playing ball in the same place as with irons instead of back and using more body) and completely changing my bunker shot from the standard 45 degree, open face set up to his "square and low" set up and so his teaching has had a profound effect on me, and i've only been practicing it for a week and i can already see it's going to make me better and i was already pretty good.
so, i highly recommend for beginners all the way up to advanced.
now, a word about these books in general. i think the time is coming where e-books like this will have video imbedded in them. it's hard to argue that it's much easier to learn something like this with the added benefit of seeing it done, not just with still photos. that's not a knock on this book, just the genre in general. it's hard to describe this stuff in words.
may you get up and down more often than not!
it's a short book. it's a bit clunky and overwritten, but the gems in here are shiny and well worth the read. notably:
i like that he starts off by saying that short game is an area where amateurs can do the same thing as the pros. this is true. we may not be able to carry our driver 320 (more like 230 for me), but we can sink a chip or stick a sand shot on the flag whether we are on the tour or playing our yearly round.
i love his distinction between what is a chip and what is a pitch. it's the best i've read because it's right on. it's about the bounce, not the distances or trajectory.
i love how he focuses on bounce. i know single digit handicappers who have no clue about bounce. it's one of those things in golf that is a mystery for most of us, but it is so important.
i love that he advises a square set up on all shots -- even bunker shots!
i love that he teaches techniques that don't rely on spin (this was prophetic since the groove change rule (in 2011?)) because now even pros don't use check-up chips (two bounce and bite) very often.
his sand technique is awesome. i've always questioned the technique of opening up so wide and laying the wedge wide open and swinging across. i've noticed that more pros now, especially lpga, are going to the technique taught in this book and it's certainly easier for the amateur.
it's strange to review a book like this- you don't judge it on the prose or entertainment but on the instructional value ... right???
for me the bottom line is this: i'm about a 10 handicap and i've been even lower, and my short game is my strong suit by far and after reading his book i'm changing quite a few things in my chippping and pitching (mostly squaring up and playing ball in the same place as with irons instead of back and using more body) and completely changing my bunker shot from the standard 45 degree, open face set up to his "square and low" set up and so his teaching has had a profound effect on me, and i've only been practicing it for a week and i can already see it's going to make me better and i was already pretty good.
so, i highly recommend for beginners all the way up to advanced.
now, a word about these books in general. i think the time is coming where e-books like this will have video imbedded in them. it's hard to argue that it's much easier to learn something like this with the added benefit of seeing it done, not just with still photos. that's not a knock on this book, just the genre in general. it's hard to describe this stuff in words.
may you get up and down more often than not!
February 15, 2023
Must read to lower your score
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
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
January 17, 2025
I had high hopes for this book, and was hoping to learn from it. Unfortunately, after going through it twice, I just can’t recommend it. I’ve read a number of golf coaching / instruction books, and this one just didn’t work for me. I’m not sure if it’s Stan Utley’s writing style or his teaching approach. But I didn’t enjoy it or learn anything from him.
August 2, 2018
75% fluff. Lots of "this book will show you..." or "with these techniques..." instead of just talking about the strategies and techniques. 25% good, rest is just self-promotion.
June 6, 2020
Best golf book I've read!
December 14, 2021
Nice read but videos work better.
August 23, 2008
Some nice tips. A nice alternative to the tome by Pelz but the photos are poorly laid out. Though I haven't had sustained success with his pitching and chipping techniques yet, his tips on bunker play have been very helpful.
March 21, 2013
This short work was excellent short game instruction. I know I will be able to use these techniques right away to improve my scoring.
January 25, 2016
Great book!
I like the way he broke down the shot.
Anyone wanting to improve their golf score.
Just enjoyed reading it!
I like the way he broke down the shot.
Anyone wanting to improve their golf score.
Just enjoyed reading it!
March 17, 2016
Excellent book
Very well done. Written for golfers at all levels. Helps to keeps hands relatively quiet wile still retaining feel. Easy to understand.
Very well done. Written for golfers at all levels. Helps to keeps hands relatively quiet wile still retaining feel. Easy to understand.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews