Unconscious Scoring: Dave Stockton's Guide to Saving Shots Around the Green

This is a companion to Dave's first book, Unconscious Putting. In both he claims better golf occurs when you stop thinking about mechanics. That may be true for the golf professional but is often no farther from the truth for the amateur. Fortunately for the amateur and even the struggling professional, Stockton abandons his unconscious philosophy in the second book. He says one thing and then does the other. He presents an excellent simplified approach to getting up and down with only two basic shots, a low shot and a high shot. In other words, a chip and a pitch. He then describes a very precise and mechanical method of stance, grip, set-up and pre-shot routine. He directs all golfers, regardless of eye or hand dominance to "push back" for the low shot with the flat left wrist and to "pull back" for the higher pitch shot or bunker with the cocked right wrist. Nuances of loft, lie, and ball position bring into play additional creativity in determining how far, how high, etc.. So I tried it and I liked it. I like this approach precisely because it offers you a consistent "mechanical" approach to the short game even though the author denies being mechanical. The problem I see as an expert in neuromuscular physiology (medical and graduate degrees in biophysics) is that the amateur does not have enough motor experience to just look at a shot and "see it" in his or her mind's eye and then pull the trigger. The same with putting. If you do not have consistent stroke mechanics, no amount of pretending to feel the stroke or see the line is going to make you a better putter or a better chipper. The beauty of his chipping method, ie the low shot, is that you can use the exact same setup every time, vary the loft of the club and the length of the back swing, and as long as you put in some practice, become reasonably proficient in a short period of time. The high shot will take more time because there is more movement and more timing to get a proper release or throwing of the club under the ball, exactly what your instructors do not want you to do in the full swing where this action adds loft and opens the face to create a weak high or low bladed shot. That being said, thank you Dave for taking another 1-2 strokes off my last five rounds here at TPC Champions in Scottsdale. This course provides a perfect layout for both types of short game shots and I found the instruction so easy to understand and apply that the benefit was immediate. Your response may be contingent on your current handicap or time available to practice. This book will be well worth your time and effort. In the interest of full disclosure, my handicap is zero. I had so much fun with this I started missing greens on purpose playing 2-4 balls per hole in order to work on his techniques, an amazing confidence builder. Thank you Dave!

The content of this book is incredible. Stockton gives very simple and effective approaches to various short game shots. In fact, it is the best short game book, in terms of content, I have read. (I have most prominent books on the short game). If you buy this book and implement his instruction you will receive very fast results. My only criticism of the book was the organization of the photos versus the text, which seemed awkward at times. However, this is minor and the technical content overwhelmed this concern. Congratulations to Mr. Stockton for a very good book.

The thing that proved useful to me in this book was the way shots around the green are categorized and then explained. Found the basic bunker shot explanation and execution the best in terms of developing consistency. This has been a problem area and I've tried a lot of methods - club pro instruction, Gary Player's youtube video, Golf Digest tips etc. The Stockton method has by far been the simplest and best for me. He also tells you why. I would buy this book solely for the bunker lesson. Additionally this book helped reinforce the chip shot (low shot) and pitch shot (high shot) fundamentals and most trouble shots. On another note I've found Sieckmann's Putting book comprehensive for that topic. Not so much this one. Why the 4 stars? He shows a picture of all lies in a bunker - good lie, fried-egg and buried and in the text says he will cover the last two mentioned lies in Trouble Shots and never does (I've reread this thrice and cant find it). Plus would have been good if the sidehill lies were covered in Trouble shots - not just uphill and downhill. In short whats covered is well explained, is conducive to self-learning and transferable to the course.

Dave Stockton, with his sons, presents a simplified approach to the scoring game that serious golfers of all handicap levels would do well to consider adapting. The beauty of his system is that the golfer needs two shots only-a high one and a low one- to handle all short game situations including those involving bunkers. The mechanics are simple, though different, for each and are easy to learn. Effective application depends on skills of visualization and judgement that are developed as the player acquires playing experience. Guesswork and uncertainty are eliminated from 50 yards into the hole, and the golfer is freed to take a more offensive approach with his long game. Dave and his sons have an equally effective approach to the putting game, described in a previous book, but reviewed and expanded upon in this one. The book is very readable, and well illustrated. It is a quality addition to any golfer's library.

Dave Stockton is one of the true masters of the scoring game, and the short game. In the mid 80s, I used to follow him at the Greater Hartford Open where he played with a former champion's invitation. I had a free clinic on scoring from mid iron to chipping to putting. Although noted for his putting skills and teaching, he regularly scored better than his multi generationally younger playing partners at the tournament, though often outdriven by 30 yards. His Cybervision video on putting should have cult status, in my opinion! But his positive approach to the core of scoring is well presented here. He is far less mechanical than some of the other scoring gurus, but this book is right up there with Ray Floyd's book on scoring, imo! By the way, this book balances the mental and mechanical elements of scoring throughout! There is technique involved, and Mr. Stockton shows you what he did, as well as what you should do, to master the critical shots to score low if you sometimes find the rough, off the tee AND around the green, as I do!

Simplicity around the green in a nutshell. Strongly recommended for any one of any level trying to up their short game. The book breaks down chipping and pitching to high vs low shots, a technique for each, once chosen just implement the method, and your done! Same method for bunkers as high pitch, simplifying and refreshing. Even a great and simple synopsis of basic putting method. Good luck!

Dave Stockton's book divides short game shots into two main approaches. He teaches you how to decide which to use in each situation, and how to execute the shot you have selected. With very little practice I was able to use each technique and have the results be much improved over my previous methods. This is an easy to read, easy to follow book that works. The videos are a good addition as well.

I have read the complete book - parts of it twice. With typical February weather here in PA I have not had a chance to put any of it into practice. I can't wait for warmer weather to give it a try! I like what I read and really think it will help my 20+ handicap game. The appoach is very straight forward and should take a lot of guesswork out of my game. Hopefully, the people I play against are not also reading the book!

I have both Unconscious Scoring & Putting and like the fact that Dave uses simple techniques and few mechanical thoughts. My putting game has improved & I have started to see Improvemnet in my short game. Have had the Unconscious Scoring book for only two weeks. Thank you Dave & Your Sons.

低いチッピングと高いチッピングを打ち分けられたらいいんだけど。 ヴィデオを見ると簡単そう。でも、簡単ではありません。

I’ve now read a number of titles focused on the mental aspects of golf, and this is another worthy volume. Well written, with clear instruction. Like the others “relaxed focus” is the key… which is easy to say… and very hard to achieve on the course! This book is a great aid in getting closer to the great playing ability hidden within us. A recommended read.

Excellent from start to finish. Very simple techniques to copy and improve your game. Well worth the money for the short game lessons.

I think this book is telling very little on how to be succesfull around the greens. Take Dave Pelz Short game bible and you have all you need.