This morning brought the unfortunate news that Dave Pelz, a monumental figure in the world of golf, has passed away at 85. For those of us deeply immersed in the sport—not just captivated by the latest tour highlights or obsessing over cutting-edge drivers—but truly passionate about the intricate nuances of golf, Pelz was colossal. He wasn’t content with merely bending convention; he tossed it aside altogether, employing methods like laser calibration and high-speed cameras to dissect the game, championing a data-driven approach long before it became the norm.
Pelz wasn’t merely a short game enthusiast; he was a former NASA scientist. He left a prestigious space career behind to explore why golfers miss shots. While many of us point fingers at a poorly performing putter, an awkward lie, or perhaps blame it on astrology, Pelz turned to numbers for answers. His analytical approach revolutionized how both professionals and amateurs perceive the game, particularly when it comes to shots under 100 yards.
His insight that nearly 80% of strokes lost to par are due to the short game was more than just an interesting tidbit—it became the foundation of his entire life’s work. It’s a legacy that aided legends like Phil Mickelson and Tom Kite in honing their wedge skills to clinch major victories. It inspired invaluable resources like “The Short Game Bible” and “Putting Bible,” both dog-eared staples on my own shelf. Not to mention the multitude of training tools and coaching techniques that continue to guide golfers worldwide.
Quite frankly, Pelz was the hero every tinkerer needed. His home golf laboratory in Texas featured elaborate recreations of famous holes, like Augusta’s 12th and Sawgrass’s iconic island green. Who else but Dave Pelz would build such marvels? While many of us simply aim to improve our scores, Pelz was busy converting putting into a precise science, edging closer than anyone has to quantifying what most describe only as ‘feel.’
What I admired most about Pelz was his dedication to all golfers, not just the pros. His Scoring Game Schools welcomed weekend warriors, mid-handicappers, and avid enthusiasts struggling with consistent putting. He understood the maddening allure of golf for everyone—not just those contending for Sunday paychecks.
Even in his later years, Pelz remained a student of the game, constantly experimenting and refining his understanding. Until his last days, he was in his lab, determined to unravel the mysteries of a sport that thrives on unpredictability.
Dave Pelz didn’t just guide us on scoring; he unraveled the ‘why’ behind our scores and sought to improve them. That’s a legacy that endures, shot by shot, putt by putt, inspiring every golfer who ever wondered, “Why did my ball end up there?” and was driven enough to discover the answer.
Here’s to you, Dave—hitting fairways, finding greens, and finishing with a perfect one-putt on the 18th.
