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If you were going to buy just 2-3 golf books ...

dave s

By dave s,
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dave s Great Member

dave s

Which would you buy? And I'm talking about technique / self-help / instructional type books.

I'd like to buy some quality reading material for the long NE Ohio winter. Please recommend a handful for me to consider?

Thank you.

dave

The ultimate "old man" setup:

Ping G30 driver
Ping G Fairway woods - 5 and 7 woods
Callaway X-Hot #5 hybrid; Old school secret weapon
Ping G #6-9 irons; W and U wedges
Vokey 54 and 58* Wedges
Odyssey Versa Putter
Golf Balls

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Eeryck Well Established Member

Eeryck

For me:

Ben Hogan's Five Lessons
Dave Pelz Short game bible (Others prefer Utley's method better)
Jack Nicholas Golf My Way

I am also trying to sort through some of the mental game books. Have not found a good one overall but sometimes they have an idea or two that can bust you out of the bad shot funk.


-E

In my Grom bag:

Driver........... Burner 9.5* S-Flex
3-Wood......... Burner 15* S-Flex
5-Wood......... Ovation 18* S-FlexIrons............. Pro Combos 3,5-PW Rifle 6.0Wedges......... CG12 52.10, 56.14, 60.10Putter............ 33" VP1 Milled PutterBall................ e6+ or B330-SRangefinder.....

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Dent Great Member

Dent

Tom Coyne: Paper Tiger
Pelz Short game bible


I do have paper Tiger.
In My Bag

Driver: Sasquatch 460 9.5°
3 Wood: Laser 3 Wood 15°
5 Wood: r7 19° (Stiff)Irons: S58 Irons 4-PW Orange DotWedge: Harmonized 60°Wedge: Z TP 54°Putter: Tiffany 34"Balls: Pro V1 Shoes: Adidas Tour 360 IIThe Meadows Golf Coursewww.themeadowsgc.comAge: 16
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Harry Longshanks Great Member

Harry Longshanks

"Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" - Dr. Bob Rotella






"Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf" - Ben Hogan




"Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime in Golf" - Harvey Penick




Note: I prefer working with a pro for technical aspects of my game so I can get advice tailored for my specific game. As a result, these books are geared more toward fundamentals and attitude, rather than a "if you need this, then do this" perspective. For those type of texts, I think "How I play Golf" by Tiger Woods and "Golf My Way" by Jack Nicklaus are fine books. "Golf for Dummies" by Gary McCord is also a serviceable manual for beginners who don't want to be overwhelmed.
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Trav Well Established Member

Trav

Rotella's books are gentle reading, but basically they all say the same thing: Don't get down on yourself, think positively, enjoy the game and don't obsess about the bad shots/putts. Not bad things to be reminded of, but IMO they're like eating popcorn - when you're done, you don't feel terribly satisifed.

If you're looking for concrete suggestions, try Pelz's books (Short Game Bible and Putting Bible). Lots of stuff to underline and go back and re-read, lots of very situational-specific shot and swing advice that has helped me a lot, even though I don't follow all his suggestions (like using a 64* wedge).

For entertainment, John Feinstein and Feherty are always enjoyable.

I don't read Woods' books seriously because he and I don't have the same swing in common. Or much else. It would be like reading Kobe's book for dunking tips.

I'm going to try to read some rule books this winter. The "quizes" show me how little I know about the finer points of the rules, which of course are the actual points you really have to know in serious play.
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case31 Well Established Member

case31

Tom Watson's book Getting Up And Down is a fantastic book. It was written 20 years ago, but still a great book for tightening up the short game.

In the bag:
Ping G5 Driver 9 degree, Ping G10 3-wood, Nike 3 hybrid, TaylorMade R9 Irons 4-AW, Cleveland CG15 56 and 60 degree wedges, Odyssey 2-ball blade putter

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Uthinkso Well Established Member

Uthinkso

I would buy The Wisdom of Harvey Penick. Its a combination of excerpts from his three books. It targets more of the mental game than it does technique per say. For me the five inches between my ears was the biggest thing to overcome, and Mr. Penick's simple technique helped greatly.
Weapons Of Choice
R5 Dual 9.5* Driver
R7 Draw Hybrid 3
Tight Lies #4 16* Fairway Wood
HCT Tour Irons 5-SW CG-11 52 CG-11 56 CG-11 60 BC-101 Putter
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mruseless Well Established Member

mruseless

The Art of the Short Game - Stan Utley
The Art of Putting - Stan Utley
Who's Your Caddy? - Rick Reilly

--------------------------
"There are only 3 kinds of people in this world -- Those who can count, and those who can't."

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iQuest Golfer Well Established Member

iQuest Golfer

I'd like to buy some quality reading material for the long NE Ohio winter. Please recommend a handful for me to consider?

"Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" by Rotella is good if you haven't read him. After "perfect" everything sounds the same. At least, to me. I liked the approach of TJ Tomasi, PhD and Mike Adams in their short tome "How to Break 90." This is a book of tactics for any golfer that can be mulled over during those long winter nights. It's all about thinking ability not necessarily swinging ability. Harry has listed one of my favorites... "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons." Ben challenges you to practice his fundamentals 30 minutes a day... I can only say, the 30 minutes has been difficult for me to commit to. That's probably why my handicap isn't coming down as fast as I'd like it to. These last two books are fun readers. "Beyond the Fairway: Zen Lessons, Insights, and Inner Attitudes of Golf" is Jeff Wallach's journey into golf's spiritual lessons during his travels playing golf around the world (some good vibes about Scotland). You've got to have a soft spot for mantras, yoga and travelogue. A novel by Troon McAllister, "The Foursome," was a respit over a snowy Ohio winter a couple years ago. Why do you think they call the devil "Scratch"? This is not your father's Nassau. Good luck! I'll be thinking about you during those cold winter nights.
iQuestGolfer
It's not about what's in your bag; it's about what you do with the clubs in your hand. Play iQuest Golf.
SQ 460 9.5*, ProForce V2, FlexS
3W Offset SZ, MR-SL60, FlexR
SlingShot 20*, hDiamana Mitsu Rayon, FlexSMaltby Recoil Irons, 4-PW, SW FlexR RAC Wedge Black TP, 60*, 12*bounce XG...
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Wisconsin Golfer Well Established Member

Wisconsin Golfer

I know all of the macho guys are going to not even consider this book, but it is your loss.

The best book that I have read is GOLF ANNIKA'S WAY. It covers the mental game, swing techniques, and even has a workout section to help strengthen the muscles that golfers use most.

For something fun and comical, read BILL MURRAY'S CINDERELLA STORY; MY LIFE IN GOLF. It is hilarious.

In My Limited Edition "Sir Isaac Newton Caricature" Big Bertha Tour Bag:
Driver: Big Bertha Fusion Ft-3
Hybrid: Big Bertha Heavenwood 3h
Irons And Wedges: Big Bertha X-12 3-Sw And
60* Vokey Spin Milled Oil-Can Lob-WedgePutter: White Hot Xg Sabertooth and a Futura Phantom Balls: Hx Hot Bite...

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kc8kir Well Established Member

kc8kir

There are some really great suggestions on here.

I would strongly advise against reading too many full swing technique books over the winter. You'll just confuse yourself.

The winter is the time to focus on putting, chipping, the mental approach, course management, and physical fitness. Add in some fun reading and you should be good to go.

Michael Murphy's "Golf in the Kingdom" and "The Kingdom of Shivas Irons" are both excellent works on the mysteries of golf. Trust me, you won't be able to put them down.
Favorite Practice Course:
Z Boaz Municipal, Fort Worth <<< Ben Hogan grew up playing here!
--------------------------------------------------

In the bag: 983E 9.5*, Fuji Speeder S RPM LP, 4W, Neutral Bias STAFF Ci6 irons, S (going up for sale soon) Tom Watson PVD 08 Wedges (G.S,L)... and a 4...
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TheWarHound Well Established Member

TheWarHound

Thanks for the great suggestions . . . I am looking for some of these titles on amazon and ebay now.

Steve

In my Cart Bag:
Driver: R7 Draw 9*
3W: Ovation 15*
Hybrid Halo 19* 2H, Halo 22* 3H
Irons: i/3 O-Size 4-PWSW: Vokey SM 56*Putter: Anser

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Uthinkso Well Established Member

Uthinkso

There are some really great suggestions on here.

I couldn't agree more. I've located a few indoor greens that I can putt at during the winter and chip as well.

My winter goal is to lose a little excess weight and get my body back in a golfers template. Also to work on certain muscle groups that will aid my golf swing.
Weapons Of Choice
R5 Dual 9.5* Driver
R7 Draw Hybrid 3
Tight Lies #4 16* Fairway Wood
HCT Tour Irons 5-SW CG-11 52 CG-11 56 CG-11 60 BC-101 Putter
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PEZGolf Great Member

PEZGolf

For me:

Those three instruction books are excellent choices. For the mental side, I recommed "Mind Over Golf", by Dr. Richard Coop. He was Payne Stewart's "coach", and Payne wrote the foreword. Jack Nicklaus wrote this: "His book is a must." I cannot think of two better endorsers for this important aspect of the "Greatest Game of All", as Jack called golf in the title of one of his books.

Mitch Pezdek------Dash Aficionado and Legend in My Own Mind

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Dub Great Member

Dub

There are a lot of great golf reads listed.

Winter time...can't played.....snowed in.....that bites hugely.



One thing book that I've really....really.....really taken something from is Stan Utley's "The Art of Putting" book.

It would be a great read to enjoy and practice indoors when you can't play. Might as well be working on your stroke over the winter.

Good luck.
909D Comp 9.5* (house MATRIX OZIK XCON-6)
Burner Superfast 3 & 5 woods (house MATRIX OZIK XCON-4.8)
G15 Hybrid 23* (AWT shaft)
G5 5 iron-PW-46*, UW-50*, SW-54 & LW-58 (AWT shaft)
Studio Select Newport 2 Mid SlantGrips: PING cords & Golf Pride New Decade Multi-Coumpound Bag: C-130...
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