Short Game Systems – Stan Utley • James Sieckman • Dave Pelz

Part 1 – Core Analysis

Stan Utley, James Sieckman, and Dave Pelz teach three fundamentally different short‑game systems. Utley is feel‑based and shallow, Sieckman is tour‑calibrated with precise low‑point control, and Pelz is systematic, clock‑based, and mechanical. Their chipping and pitching methods differ in setup, wrist action, release pattern, and how they control trajectory.

Part 2 – Technique Tables

Chipping & Pitching: Setup, Ball Position, Weight, Hinge, Release, Trajectory

Chipping Technique Table

Category	Stan Utley	James Sieckman	Dave Pelz
Setup	Square, narrow stance	Slightly open stance	Neutral stance
Ball Position	Middle / slightly forward	Middle	Middle or slightly back
Weight Distribution	55% lead / 45% trail	60% lead / 40% trail	70% lead / 30% trail
Wrist Hinge	Minimal hinge	Slight hinge	Clock‑dependent hinge
Release Pattern	Pivot‑driven	Shallow tour release	Mechanical release
Trajectory	Low, predictable	Landing‑spot calibrated	Club + clock system
Low‑Point Control	Body pivot	Highly emphasized	Structured

Pitching Technique Table

Category	Stan Utley	James Sieckman	Dave Pelz
Setup	Slightly open	Center stance	Neutral
Ball Position	Middle	Middle	Middle or forward
Weight	Balanced	55/45	60/40
Wrist Hinge	Two‑lever	Tour hinge	Clock hinge
Release	Rhythm	Loft‑efficient	Mechanical
Trajectory	Natural loft	Intentional loft	Club + clock
Distance Control	Feel	Landing‑spot ladder	Wedge clock

Part 3 – Club‑Selection Decision Tree

Start → What type of shot do you need?

1. Chipping (low flight, more roll)

• Clean lie → Utley or Sieckman
• Rough/fluffy → Pelz structured chip

2. Pitching (higher flight, more spin)

• Precise carry → Pelz clock system
• General pitching → Sieckman
• Feel‑based → Utley

3. Specialty Shots

• Flop → Sieckman or Pelz
• Tight lie → Sieckman
• 30–60 yards → Pelz or Utley

Part 4 – Combined Practice Plan

Daily Routine (15 minutes)

• Utley Pivot Drill: quiet wrists, torso rotation
• Sieckman Landing Ladder: 3–5 landing spots
• Pelz Wedge Clock: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 positions

Weekly Routine (45 minutes)

• Chipping block: Utley → Sieckman → Pelz
• Pitching block: Sieckman → Pelz → Utley
• Situational shots: tight lies, rough, flop, 30–60 yards

Part 5 – YouTube Lesson References

Stan Utley

• Stan Utley Short Game Basics
• Utley Chipping Technique
• Utley Pitching Fundamentals

James Sieckman

• Sieckman Short Game Secrets
• Process Overview
• Chipping and Pitching

Dave Pelz

• Pelz Wedge Clock System
• Pelz Pitch Swing
• Pelz Trajectory Control