PRESS

March 26, 2025

Dave Pelz, Renowned Golf Coach, Innovator, and Author, Dies at 85

AUSTIN, TEXAS  —  Dave Pelz, one of golf’s most influential instructors and innovators, passed away on March 23, 2025, at his home in Dripping Springs, Texas. A former NASA scientist turned golf researcher, Pelz revolutionized how the game is taught, played, and understood, particularly in the critical areas of putting and the short game.

Pelz was among the first to scientifically study golf performance and identify the short game as the primary factor in scoring success. His research led to the discovery that nearly 80% of shots lost to par occur within 100 yards of the hole. This groundbreaking insight became the foundation for his teachings, shifting the focus of golf instruction toward more wedge play and putting.

Pelz’s work changed how professionals prepared for competition. His expertise in wedge play helped Phil Mickelson refine his short game, leading to multiple major victories. Other notable players he worked with were Tom Kite, Lee Janzen, D.A. Weibring, Beth Daniel, Steve Elkington, Vijay Singh, Jane Geddes, Payne Stewart, Mike Weir, Patrick Reed, and many, many others. His students collectively won more than 20 major championships.

Born in Indiana and raised in Kentucky, Pelz took up golf early and earned a four-year golf scholarship to Indiana University, where he studied physics and thought he would prepare to play pro golf. However, as he wrote later, “I kept being beaten by other Big Ten golfers… especially a kid from Ohio State named Nicklaus.” He then spent 14 years at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center conducting experiments on the atmosphere of the earth and other planets. But 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. In all, he was granted 20 patents related to golf equipment and training.

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.

Beyond coaching elite professionals, Pelz was deeply committed to helping everyday golfers. Since the mid-‘80s, the Dave Pelz Scoring Game Schools have taught thousands of amateurs throughout the U.S. and around the world.

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.

After scientifically determining the best measures of putting skill, in 1996 Pelz founded the World Putting Championship allowing any pro or amateur to compete for the title of best putter on earth.

At his home in Texas, Pelz built his dream, a backyard golf laboratory featuring replicas of famous holes such as Augusta National’s 12th and TPC Sawgrass’s island 17th. This coaching and testing ground allowed him and his Pelz Institute research team to carry on refining his theories and training techniques even in the final weeks of his life. His dedication to research and innovation leaves a permanent mark on golf and continues to shape how players and coaches think about the scoring game.

Dave Pelz’s legacy is one of passion, precision, and relentless innovation. His impact on the game will continue to be felt for generations as golfers around the world apply his teachings to improve their scoring and strategy. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, their five children, nine grandchildren, and a grateful golf community.

Those who wish to share their thoughts or memories are invited to a special tribute page at www.pelzgolf.com/tribute/.

For photos or additional information, please contact:

David Pelly

pelz@pelzgolf.com

QUOTES/TRIBUTES

Dave Pelz was one of the kindest, smartest and most thoughtful people I have ever met! He helped me with my golf in many ways but most of all I treasured his friendship! Dave’s contribution to golf will be appreciated and respected for years to come, he was a giant in the game!

D.A. Weibring

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10 years ago, I was 24 years old, and I asked Dave Pelz if he would work with me and coach me. To help me with my short-game and my putting. But he became and was so much more to Justine and I than a coach.

He taught me how to think, how to listen, and he brought so much life to my game. Dave Pelz (DP) was and is the best coach I ever had. To say that he will be missed would be such an understatement. His contributions to the game of golf will outlive my lifetime, and I hope one day to have contributed as much good in the world and in the game as he did. He pushed me to think harder, think higher of myself, and be a better person regardless of any circumstance I was faced with. He cared about the game, like I care about the game. When so many people are caught up in money, at the end of the day- the last time I saw him…just three weeks ago, we were talking and just trying to figure out what would be best for the game of golf. We shared many views about the game, and the massive divide the game of golf has faced and how to put it back together.

He and his wife, JoAnn, (JP), were two people Justine and I always looked up to the most and two people we could always count on. In golf and in life.

I have never forgotten anything he ever said to me, because sure enough-as soon as I would- Justine would be quick to remind me what Pelz said, and although I cannot share all of the lessons he taught me, I can share with you the person he was to me, and the coach he was to me and sadly I wish we could start all over again because he made learning fun, experimenting was fun. He never doubted a theory or an idea I had, he taught me to test it. He never doubted my ability, he challenged it. And more than anything, he and JP loved Justine and I the way a mom or dad loves to see their children achieve a dream, a goal, and wanted the best for us, and it was so real and genuine. I wish he were still here because I would tell him how much he meant to me in my life and in my game, and that I am forever fortunate and grateful to have been a part of his life, to know him and his family, to love them and care about them, and for it to be reciprocated in a way I never expected.

I’ll always appreciate Dave’s mind, and how well he used it to create, invent, research, to write, to build, it taught me so much more than golf to spend time with him. He was relentless in his pursuit of achieving greatness in the game of golf. Through science, research, experiments- everything he ever taught me holds strong and holds true, and it always will, because Dave didn’t back anything he wasn’t 100 percent sure of. He didn’t sway with the wind, he was the wind. Every time I ever met with him, he blew me away, because his presence, his sincere nature coupled with a kind sense of humor, and his drive made for the best coach I could have ever asked for.

Dave’s life should be celebrated, and never forgotten. Our love and hearts go out to JoAnn Pelz who Dave used to always lovingly and affectionately call JP. JP was and is his equal in every way, and you couldn’t have asked for a better match than JP and DP. 

Thank you for the memories, thank you for your support, and thank you for believing in me. You changed my life. I love you DP. We love you and you will forever be in our hearts and minds.

Your friend,

Patrick Reed

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I was saddened to hear about the passing of my friend, Dave Pelz. Dave made an indelible mark on the game of golf. He was an incredibly kind and gentle man with a generous spirit. The way he used his scientific brilliance to influence what the rest of us could accomplish through the game of golf will always be remembered.

Kris Tschetter LPGA

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We lost one of golfing giants today- both literally & figuratively..

Dave will be remembered & celebrated for his pioneer contributions to putting & short game.

He was the first that put science & technology in the forefront that is commonplace in today’s game.

Dave was a man for everyone & was loved by all..

DP was the best.

Steve Elkington

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Dave Pelz was an icon in the world of golf instruction. His scientific background allowed him to experiment, test and analyse all areas of the game, which through his books, magazine articles, seminars and schools enabled him to pass on his information to the golfing world. Dave was a very modest kind man who loved the game, and had the ear of many of the world’s great players. His work with Tom Kite on the 3 wedge theory and its benefits was legendary and one of the many examples of his huge contribution to the game! Phil Mickelson’s career was enhanced greatly because of his association with Dave! He will be sorely missed and he leaves a wonderful legacy that all of us in the golf industry will benefit from for years to come.

So sad to hear the news – remember the day well that Dave, Jim McLean and myself did the first instruction show on the Golf Channel.

I hope this is not too long, but can’t quote even a small percentage of his amazing achievements!

Condolences once again!

David Leadbetter 

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A true friend’s memory will last in my heart forever. Dave helped so many. He will be missed.

Tom Jenkins

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I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a tremendous, giving and huge hearted man. We had so much fun together, especially when he caddied for Jack Lemmon all those years at the AT&T. We laughed and laughed all week!

Please accept our condolences. 🙏🏼

Peter Jacobsen