One of golf’s most influential instructors and innovators, Dave Pelz, whose long career lovingly scrutinized the short game, passed away on March 23 at his home in Dripping Springs, Texas.
A former NASA scientist turned golf researcher, Pelz revolutionized how the game is taught, played, and understood from playing shots from 100 yards in to refining the technique of putting.
Pelz was among the first to scientifically study golf performance and identify the short game as the primary factor in scoring success. This groundbreaking insight became the foundation for his teachings, shifting the focus of scoring more toward wedge play and putting.
Born in Indiana and raised in Kentucky, Pelz took up golf early and earned a four-year golf scholarship to Indiana University, majoring in physics with minors in mathematics, philosophy and astronomy, and where, he thought, he would prepare to play pro golf.
However, luckily for all us clueless duffers and the many grateful pros who benefitted from his meticulous research, he gave up that dream because, as he wrote later, “I kept being beaten by other Big Ten golfers… especially a kid from Ohio State named Nicklaus.” Thank you, Jack!
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. The laughs we shared along the way is what I cherish most and I look forward to paying… https://t.co/oquBZEwEUQ
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) March 26, 2025
Pelz spent 14 years at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center conducting experiments on the atmosphere of the earth and other planets. However, his passion for golf proved too strong and in 1975 he left NASA to focus on analyzing the game, using his scientific background to develop a data-driven approach unlike anything else at the time. His research and teaching made him known on the Tour as “Professor Putt.“
Pelz’s creativity led to numerous inventions and training aids, which continue to be used by golfers worldwide. His Pelz Teacher Putter helped golfers develop a more consistent and repeatable stroke, while the Dave Pelz Putting Tutor became a staple for tour players looking to improve their alignment and roll.
As an author, he reached millions more with best-selling books such as Putt Like the Pros, Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible, and Dave Pelz’s Putting Bible. He was on the instruction staff at Golf Magazine for more than 35 years, contributing hundreds of articles. And for 15 years, he hosted The Dave Pelz Scoring Game Show on the Golf Channel.
One of his most significant contributions was the “3X4 Wedge System,” which transformed the way golfers controlled the distance of their wedges, improving accuracy and scoring efficiency.
Pelz Golf holds 20 patents on golf equipment, but his most recognizable creations are the 2-Ball and 3-Ball putters that were licensed to Callaway Golf for the Odyssey line. With millions of these putters on greens around the world, including hundreds on tour, they are the best-selling golf club ever.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, their five children, and nine grandchildren.
Those who wish to share their thoughts or memories are invited to a special tribute page at PelzGolf.com.
