Dave Pelz is a renowned short game coach in the world of golf and has built a backyard at his Austin home that would represent paradise for any self-respecting player.
Pelz Golf
Pelz Golf —
Pelz's garden contains a replica of Augusta's 12th hole and the 17th at TPC Sawgrass.
Pelz Golf
The world's best backyard? —
The two-and-a-half acre site is a dedicated practice ground where Pelz can pitch, chip and putt to his heart's content.
Pelz Golf
The space race —
Pelz's 15`-year stint with NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center informed much of his thinking when it came to golf. Since leaving to pursue the game full time he has 22 patents to his name.
Pelz Golf
Austin maestro —
Pelz's Austin backyard features a range of greens -- some of them replicas of world famous courses. It is low maintenance too; the grass is synthetic and never requires cutting or watering.
Pelz Golf
Short game bible —
Pelz's book "Short Game Bible" was a bestseller when it was released in 1999. To date, his students have a combined 20 major titles to their name.
Pelz Golf
Lefty's right-hand man —
Perhaps the most famous student of Pelz's is five-time major champion Phil Mickelson, who he still works with prior to major tournaments. Pelz has also assisted Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie and Tom Kite.
David Cannon/Getty Images/file
Pelz's reign —
Pelz told CNN's Living Golf show: "They say it's the world's best backyard. It's my dream. I live with my dream girl. I have a dream job and I live in my dream house. I'm a happy guy."
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images/file
A golfing Odyssey —
Pelz's most famous invention was the three ball putter that helped players line up puts more accurately. He sold the idea to Callaway Golf and it eventually hit the market as the Odyssey Golf Two-Ball putter. It is one of the best-selling clubs of all time.