A nuclear scientist by profession, Pelz left his job with the North American Space Agency in 1974 to focus on the science of putting, and created a data-driven approach to teaching the short game. The data showed that the short game – shots of 100 yards or less – amounted to 60-65 per cent of a golfer’s score, a majority share that also happened to be the weakest part of most players’ games.
He established different techniques and training aids, and his methods were showcased on ‘The Dave Pelz Scoring Game Show’, a long-running Golf Channel series. He wrote six books, held 17 golf-related patents and fathered inventions of immense impact, among them the 60 and 64-degree wedge and the Two-Ball putter, one of the all-time best-selling club of any kind.
Pelz started Dave Pelz Golf Schools, where he opened up his teachings to amateur golfers, and worked with several major champions, including Phil Mickelson, who turned to Pelz for help in 2003, months before he won his first Masters. “I was 0-for-43 in majors before I met Dave, and I’ve won four, plus a Players Championship, since,” Mickelson once said of his mentor. “That says it all about him in my book.”
Writing on social media this week, Mickelson added: “I have so many things to say about this incredible man. I owe so much of my success to the many things he taught me, and he lives on as I share those same insights to numerous other golfers.”
Among the many other tour players who worked with Pelz included Tom Kite, Payne Stewart, Paul Azinger, Lee Janzen, Steve Elkington, Vijay Singh, Michelle Wie, and Patrick Reed.