Best golf books according to redditors
We found 105 Reddit comments discussing the best golf books. We ranked the 67 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
17. Play Strategic Golf: Course Navigation: How To Position Yourself To Score Like The Pros
1 mention
To add, there's a book/movie (with Shia LeBouf before he got weird) about an amateur winning the 1913 US Open
https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Game-Ever-Played-Francis/dp/0786888008
Also, keep in mind Bobby Jones never went pro and was the first to win the Quadralateral (precursor to the Grand Slam). He won the Open a couple of times.
Tony Romo has tried to make the Open a couple times, but has fallen short.
My Dad missed qualifying by one stroke at Baltusrol. That would've been cool
If you're looking for great reads these are two of my favorites:
If you're looking for instructional tips, I've gotten a lot of help from Dave Pelz's books, especially the Short Game Bible.
I just finished Ben Hogan's Five Fundamentals and Clive Scarff's "Why you suck at golf".
I'm thinking of downloading Darrell Klassen's books now. He's got some videos on youtube also. Haven't determined if he really has a different approach to the golf swing, or he's just a shyster.
Congratulations - it sounds like you are well on your way to the path that I am just beginning to embark on.
I used to play golf several times a week and practiced at the range a ton but was always stuck at an average of 91. Then I took 6 years off from playing and just returned this year to be right back where I was...averaging 91.
In those 6 years I obviously did not get better - I just got older. So it made me realize recently that I need to re-think how I do things if I am every going to get to an average in the 80s.
I am right now reading "How to Break 90" and just ordered "The Elements of Scoring" this morning.
Already I have identified one of my biggest issues after just reading a few pages of "How to Break 90"
DON'T FOLLOW A BAD SHOT WITH ANOTHER BAD SHOT
I cannot tell you how many times I have had a poor drive that has put me off the fairway only to follow it up with a piss poor attempt to "make the green" in heroic fashion which, without fail, never happens.
I cannot report yet on if any of this has helped since I haven't played yet but I have a round scheduled for Friday and here is my game plan.
Hopefully this will help. We shall see.
This one cost but they say it's very good
A Good Wall Spoiled by John Feinstein
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Walk-Spoiled-Days-Nights/dp/0316277371/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542678454&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=a+good+walk+spoiled+by+john+feinstein&dpPl=1&dpID=51WTmSvDxiL&ref=plSrch
Cool idea. I read a lot but haven't read many golf books... downloaded a lot of previews for my kindle but havent' been that taken with anything besides some old timey book by Harry Vardon (yep, the grip guy). Ha, he harbored a special disdain for people who weren't trying to improve their game. The opening line is "A great deal of unnecessarily bad golf played in this world." Ha, love it.
I find many golf books aren't available as ebooks which tends to put me off buying them. However, I did just order Annika Sorenstam's book in hardcover because besides her just being awesome and one of the least disputable GOATs in sports, even after 10 years of retirement, I've really liked the bits and piece of advice I've seen from her. She seems very self aware and thus able to see how things she does might apply to others.
Here is the mobile version of your link
Caddy for Life - about Bruce Edwards and Tom Watson. Excellent.
(Tales from Q School)[http://www.amazon.com/Tales-School-Inside-Golfs-Fifth/dp/B001OI31O4/ref=la_B000AQ72DC_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1346788564&sr=1-13] is also good... depressing sometimes to see how close some guys come only to miss, but still good.
I'd read Caddy for Life first. If you've only got a couple of hours read Who's your Caddy?
Harvey Pennick's "Little Red Book"
"When I say take an aspirin I don't mean eat the whole bottle!"
I own all the Audio Books for Dr. Bob Rotella, and also Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent.
I highly recommend them. The cheapest way to start out is the The Dr. Bob Rotella CD Collection
I would recommend listening to them in this order: GOLF IS NOT A GAME OF PERFECT, GOLF IS A GAME OF CONFIDENCE, THE GOLF OF YOUR DREAMS, and then finally PUTTING OUT OF YOUR MIND.
As I mentioned, I have all of Dr. Bob's Audio Books, and they are really good for listening to over and over, or a few days before a tournament. His books are all about creating a mindset that lets you just play and accept any outcomes, realize that they occurred and you cannot correct them, and then play beyond the mistake. This is where most people get stuck.
Zen Golf is really more advanced in my honest opinion. Its more about some of the subtleties that occur and you usually do not notice. Its about more of an overall mindset, and I would really recommend listening to it after you at least listen to GOLF IS NOT A GAME OF PERFECT and GOLF IS A GAME OF CONFIDENCE. There are little tips and tricks to help create new habits that create a positive self image about your game and your play, as well as some of the common things that happen like throwing or putting even though you realize you are distracted or something is bothering you. This right here is a stroke saver. I shaved at least 4 strokes off my game each round just by learning to recognize when this happens, making a note that it happened, stepping off and resetting up on my shot/putt. Like I said, good stuff here, but if you dont have the right foundation (which I think Dr. Bob Rotella sets up) then you will not get the maximum benefit. There is a lot of talk about the Zen Philosophy, so be prepared.
Never did the anchored putter, but always thought that no matter what, my putting was kinda on point for as crappy as I am.
Read Chapter 1 of the The Impact Zone today at work and at the range later on had ~75% of my putts within 12" of the cup.
I never really thought about my putting stroke and thought all was good. That straight left wrist is legit, just gotta work on the pace now...
The 75% comes from putting 4 balls at a time at around 25'. Sometimes I would make one and other times I would sail the first putt past the hole, big time.
edit because wine and sale does not equal sale ;-)
Before we discuss equipment, I would highly recommend thinking about what you want to accomplish out of golf. I used to play competitively when I was growing up, but I was never good enough/had enough time to practice to play at a college level. Seeing as you are getting into golf because of business, your main starting goal should be to not make a fool of yourself. You mentioned you enjoyed it, so I suspect that you might already have been bitten by the golf bug. Please understand that golf is a cruel mistress. There isn't another game that you can have such a love/hate relationship with.
Regardless of what exactly you want to get out of golf, I would highly recommend Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf. This will certainly help expedite the getting familiar with the golf swing phase. Just like anything, the fundamentals are extremely important and this is an excellent read.
Now for the equipment,
Those Ping Eye2 irons are a classic (not in the bad sense) set of irons, great set to start out with. As long as the shafts aren't anything crazy like x-Stiff they are most likely a great starting place for you.
As far as the bag goes, its all about budget and what you want. If you always ride - look for a cart bag or hybrid bag to get the stand. If you always walk, get a light back. The bag I am currently using is an Ergonomix from Wal-Mart I bought for $40. Sure you can tell it isn't the highest quality bag out there, but it does everything I need and isn't a complete piece of junk.
Putter - go to a golf store and figure out what you like. This is the most important club in your bag - you are going to use this more than any other club!
Woods/Hybrids/Wedges - I would recommend to hold off a little bit until you are slightly more familiar with you swing. If your local range has a demo day that would be a fantastic way to try a whole bunch of stuff out in a short time period.
Make sure to check out the daily deal thread that is posted, sometimes there is stuff on there that you can't pass up!
Congrats and welcome to the game of golf.
Harvey Penick's Little Red Book is my all-time favorite, hands down. Dave Pelz's book, the Short Game Bible, is also quite good. And, Bob Rotella's book on the mental aspects of the game is the best I've read on that topic.
You did say EXTREMELY spicy food!
You can also add this wonderful book which should give him something to do before trying the sauce ;)
I hope I helped and as far as what I'd like you could go with either of these two items :)
I am the reverse of you, a 9 index with my putting just this season coming around nicely. It all started with this book, I've found it to be mostly mental. https://www.amazon.com/Putting-Out-Your-Mind-Rotella/dp/1416501991
Wish I had an extra copy because I would send it to you.
I also am going to get fit for Mizunos, leaning toward the MP5 :) Best of luck!
Dude come on, amazon definitely has an ebook version im looking at it now. For a book with this much info, fork over the cash dont be so cheap.https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GEFN8ZY/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1498508286&sr=8-1
Didnt realize the Argentina President has some war against Amazon and Ebay basically making it impossible to buy things from there at a reasonable price. I jumped the gun. Ill see if any other websites offer the book.
I would check out Geoff Shakelford's Book
or Tom Doak's Book
Both are very helpful.
Sounds like you need to do some reading. You practice the physical part of your game, but do you practice the mental part?
Golf is not a game of perfect.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/068480364X
Zen Golf
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0385504462
Elements of Scoring
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0684864029
You definitely swing down aggressively with your arms which is killing your consistency and power. It also has something to do with the hook that you're fighting. The reason that swinging from out to in doesn't result in a slice is because your grip is so strong (left hand turned too far away from the target) that it's impossible for you to open the clubface up enough do anything but hook or pull. Your grip also prevents you from cocking your wrists properly which means less consistency and power.
So like the other people said, fix your grip and setup. That has to be priority #1. Then look at a pro's swing and notice how when the club is halfway back (left arm parallel to the ground) the club is straight up and down. That is a proper wrist cock. Compare that to your swing now and you'll see how big of a difference there is. After that do this fantastic drill to keep you from swinging with your arms. Take a club and turn it around so you're gripping the head end and the grip is pointing to the ground and take some swings. You shouldn't hear a woosh until your hands have passed in front of their address position. If you hear it any sooner, that means you're swinging with your arms and uncocking your wrists too soon which will cost you......CONSISTENCY AND POWER.
One more thing, buy Ben Hogan's Five Lessons and read the shit out of it. I've been playing for 10 years and have read more books and magazines about golf than I can count and this one is perfect. Can't go wrong with it.
No. Don't discuss putting within 5 feet. Don't think about putting within 5 feet. Look at it, walk up to it, tap it in.
Read Bob Rotella's book Putting Out of Your Mind. I don't know if it made me a better putter from 15+ feet, but it sure helped me from 6 feet and in.
Tales from Q School: Inside Golf's Fifth Major
Amazing read.
Try this- You can get it used for like $2 and its a pretty good read.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Elements-Scoring-Masters-Playing/dp/0684864029/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382713309&sr=8-1&keywords=ray+floyd
The Practice Manual by Adam Young
http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Manual-Ultimate-Guide-Golfers/dp/1507723172/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449008700&sr=8-1&keywords=the+practice+manual
Grounds for Golf by Geoff Shackelford is a concise history of golf course architecture. Its and entertaining read and will make you fall in love with strategic/minimalist courses.
American Triumverate is a nice biography of Snead, Hogan and Nelson and how they brought about the "modern era" of golf.
The Elements of Scoring by Raymond Floyd is the best book on attitude and course management I've ever read. Highly entertaining. It'll give you a whole new perspective on how to play.
This book really helped to improve my ball golf putting. There's a lot of carryover between the two sports. Such as with me, being really streaky as well as missing putts that I shouldn't miss because I tell myself I shouldn't miss right before I putt.
read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Impact-Zone-Mastering-Moment/dp/0312354819/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341417675&sr=1-1&keywords=the+impact+zone
As others have said, pre-shot routine goes a long way to keeping you in the moment and feeling natural and relaxed as you take your swing.
Also, everyone's performance varies from day to day. I love the book The Elements of Scoring: A Master's Guide to the Art of Scoring Your Best When You're Not Playing Your Best by Raymond Floyd. He talks about how there are the times when everything feels right and your swing is just locked in, but most of the time you're just not going to feel like that. He says most of his big wins came when he felt he wasn't playing his best, but by playing smart - around the things that weren't working and to the things that were - he was able finish on top. I've read it multiple times and always pick up something new. Good luck!
In his book The Impact Zone Bobby Clampett argues that blades are the true "game improvement" clubs, because they force you to hit the ball more precisely. This is somewhat controversial, but many people (like this guy) agree with him.
One stroke at a time https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YSKBSS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_m1pizb15D5Y3J
Great book helped me a ton!
It took me over a year. It was super frustrating. I started with that as the goal in March and couldn't believe I didn't get there.
The following spring I broke it the 2nd round I played, and then broke 90 about a month and a half later.
The key for me was learning course management. My friend gave me this book. It was a huge help.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Break-90-Approach-Breaking/dp/0071385592
How to Break 90
This is a very good book about course management. Easy way to save strokes.
- Course management
- Taking an extra club (or two) and swinging easier. I've started clubbing up my approach shots and I've been hitting way more greens.
- Not trying to kill my drives. Taking a little off it has produced better consistency even if I've lost ~5y of carry, That's way better than getting those 5y and being in the woods 50% of the time.
- Putting and chipping are huge. Most people can get off the tee pretty well, but you aren't going to score well if you can't get up and down/get approaches close. Most of my bad days are when I'm absolute shit from 100y and in.
- Understand what the ball does when you make contact. I highly recommend picking up The Practice Manual. Even just the first few chapters on ball flight laws can help tremendously.
- Lessons. Practice. Lessons. Practice. Practice. Practice. Rinse. Repeat.
​
edit: added a book recommendation
Sounds a lot better than hitting 200 balls mindlessly a day ;)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0743544773/ref=tmm_abk_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=&sr=
Check out that CD set. Golf is not a Game of Perfect and The Golf of your dreams.....listen to them. Even do this first before getting the lessons, it will help you prepare yourself about expectations, how to achieve your goals etc. Great little CD set.
Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime in Golf. It's one of my favorites.
https://smile.amazon.com/Elements-Scoring-Masters-Guide-Playing/dp/0684864029
Raymond Floyd's Elements of Scoring book is the best strategy book I've personally read.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0684864029/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1464843222&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Raymond+Floyd
I also found Play Strategic Golf by Eric Jones to be quite good. Looking forward to his next books in the series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017AK0VK6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1464843402&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=how+to+make+a+yardage+book&dpPl=1&dpID=51MaG8kOHEL&ref=plSrch
Check out Ray Floyd's The Elements of Scoring. Short, straightforward read from one of the game's all-time greats.
The Greatest Game Ever Played
You're in a really good spot right now because you're just getting started out and you don't have to unlearn any bad habits.
First thing I would say is learn what makes a good swing. Not what makes your swing good, but what makes a good swing. Watch the pros. Read books. Get a much information as possible and don't try and replicate what they do, but learn what makes a truly good swing and learn how to make your swing the best it can be.
Here are a couple things to think about:
Right now you're swinging with about 90% your upper body. Your taking the club back with your shoulders and arms and chest, and it's quite visible. When you swing through you are swinging through with your arms and shoulders and your lower body is following your upper body. A proper golf swing is almost exactly the opposite.
Try and think of the swing as something that happens from your hips, torso, chest, and shoulders.
The backswing should start with the big muscle in your left shoulder. Move your left shoulder across your chest for the first movement and when you can't move that shoulder anymore you start rotating your chest. The backswing is complete when your back is facing the target. Do not swing your arms, infact, try and squeeze your arms to your chest (if you lift weights, like when you're doing dumbell flys). Your hands should and arms should always be directly in front of your chest.
This is a good example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cajtJHmEw3A
Don't try and swing with your arms, the shoulders lead the swing with your chest and then your hips will turn. Also, as you are moving through the backswing, the weight should be able 60-70% of your weight on your right foot.
Now the important part:
Once you've got a good backswing the downswing and impact are the most important part of the golf swing. Infact there are plenty of pro tours who have an unorthodox, or frankly bad backswing, but their downswing and impact position are perfect.
Once you're at the top of your backswing, your swing should start from your LEFT foot, knee, and most importantly your HIPS. Smoothly bring the weight to your left foot and as you do so, twist and rotate your hips. You should feel like someone is pulling on the belt loop at your left hip, and they are pulling it backwards as if they are trying to turn you around. (hope that makes sense). It is this twist that creates the proper downswing and speed for a good swing.
Watch this swing of Rory Mcillroy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qir6STNfJec
Really pay attention to his hips. Notice at the top of his backswing how he loads his legs (like a mini squat) and his HIPS really start that swing. It will look like he's swinging his arms but I promise you, he isn't putting any energy into them at all. His hands and arms are just along for the ride. His arms are just following his body, as his legs squat and his hips start to turn, so does his torso, followed by his chest and arms and hands and the club.
If you pause the video at impact, (during the slow motion part) You will see his belt buckle looks like it is almost pointed at the target, and it's probably about 40 degrees from center but all pros are well through the turn at impact. If you can start to understand that 99% of the golf swing is done by the lower body, the feet, the quad muscles, and the hips, you will be well on your way my friend. It all starts with the lower body, the stronger your legs, the more powerful your swing will be.
I know that this is a TON of information to take in all at once, but as you learn more and read more you will incorporate more of this into your own swing. And you will do it YOUR way, not Rorys, not mine, but yours. Everyone has a unique swing, but there are certain fundamentals that every good golfer has, and that's the hip turn, and the point of impact.
If you're interested in learning more from the pros, these are the 2 books you need to get. And they will explain it far better than I can. Glad you've found golf, it's a lifetime's worth of never ending learning and fun.
The Impact Zone
Five Fundamentals
I've published two novels and one non-fiction book. Here are links to all three.
Outside Service
Prove Me Wrong
Suck Less At Golf
This isn't what you asked for, but this book helped me a lot when I was right around the same skill level you are now. And you can pick up a used copy for cheap. It's a short book, all about course management and strategy: https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Scoring-Masters-Guide-Playing/dp/0684864029
in his book Putting Out of Your Mind, Bob Rotella has a cool story about getting Hal Sutton to try this on every putt.
The Impact Zone: Mastering Golf's Moment of Truth - Bobby Clampett
Soccer:
The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro
The Way It Was: Stanley Mathhews
Baseball:
Ball Four
Baseball As I Have Known It: Fred Lieb
Golf:
A Good Walk Spoiled
The Greatest Game Ever Played
I just went through this process last year, so even though I’m not a good golfer I think I can impart some knowledge on getting started. The main thing is you want to get a basic skill set down before hitting the course because you’re not going to have any fun on the course if you can’t do some basic stuff. Here’s what I would do if I were starting out.
There are thee “main” swings in golf: putting, finesse swing (chips and pitches), and full swing (irons, Woods, driver). It’s easiest to learn these from the pin to the tee: putting, then finesse, then full.
I would spend a couple range sessions just putting. Watch some videos or read a book on technique. I recommend Bulletproof Putting by Michael McTeigue.
Once you have the basics down on that move on to pitches and chips. You’ll be able to take what you learned on putting and apply it to your chips and then move on to pitching.
Once you have a handle on that, move on to the full swing. A basic pitch shot and be transformed into a fu swing—you’re building up. A video series I’d recommend is Michael McTeigue’s Effortless Swing series. It’s old and hokey but I think it makes sense.
One more thing: I wouldn’t even worry about your driver for a couple months. Learn to get off the tee with a hybrid or 5 or 3 wood. As a beginner, you’ll just want to put the ball in play rather than dicking around with your driver and being off in the woods every hole.
Anyway, this process takes a little time. Maybe a month or two. But once you feel like you have a somewhat consistent swing (you can make contact and the ball goes foward!), I think you’re ready. I’d find an executive or par 3 course if you can to start out. This are 9-hole courses with all or mostly par-3s. Much easier to get into the groove of the game than fuller courses.
Hope this helps.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Elements-Scoring-Masters-Playing/dp/0684864029
Ray Floyd's book got me to break 80.
Putting out of your mind
http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Out-Your-Mind-Rotella/dp/0743212134