Jump to content
IGNORED

"The Four Foundations of Golf" by Jon Sherman


iacas

Recommended Posts

  • Administrator

Discuss “The Four Foundations of Golf” by Jon Sherman here.

Buy it here:

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • iacas changed the title to "The Four Foundations of Golf" by Jon Sherman

Thanks for creating this thread @iacas.

I’m nearly done with a first read of the book. Just starting the Mental Game section.

I’m a big fan of Jon Sherman and Practical Golf. I also listen to The Sweet Spot podcast and appreciate what he and Adam are adding to the community. 

My initial take: about 80% of what is covered in this book is in Lowest Score Wins. And in many cases, LSW covers it more effectively by giving succinct actionable advice. There’s a theme and flow that both books use:

  1. Use information at hand to manage expectations
  2. Pick better targets (for driving and approach play)
  3. Learn how to drive the ball further
  4. Incorporate random practice to supplement blocked practice

LSW does a better job IMO of helping steer the reader towards effective use of practice time by introducing the concept of “Separation Value”.

Four Foundations is going to help folks that haven’t read LSW. I found myself finishing several chapters with “is that all???”, hoping Jon would provide more details and actionable advice. For example, Jon advocates becoming a “one trick pony” and limiting your menu of golf shots. I think he could have gone further to help players analytically arrive at an appropriate “sub-menu”.

So unless you are just a golf book junkie like I am, if you’ve read LSW I don’t think you’ll find much new here.

  • Like 1
  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Informative 1

-Chris Brooks

I've blogged about my wanderings since 2003. I love roaming throughout the USA looking for remote public golf courses to play.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Thanks, @Chris Brooks.  I heard the interview on some podcast that is in my feed and my regular thought throughout was "wasn't that in LSW?" 

-- Michael | My swing! 

"You think you're Jim Furyk. That's why your phone is never charged." - message from my mother

Driver:  Titleist 915D2.  4-wood:  Titleist 917F2.  Titleist TS2 19 degree hybrid.  Another hybrid in here too.  Irons 5-U, Ping G400.  Wedges negotiable (currently 54 degree Cleveland, 58 degree Titleist) Edel putter. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • 4 weeks later...

Just finished my read of the book and I agree, his book parallels "Lowest Score Wins".   His approach is more generalized and would appeal to the golfer who is wanting to get away from the swing thought of the day blitz.  I love how he keeps the chapters relatively concise and concludes each with a "Big Ideas" section.  This book along with LSW will be on my reference shelf for many years to come.  I am planning to reread it soon, more to absorb and reinforce what Erik covers in LSW.      

Ping G400 SFT 10deg  R flex
Ping G410 3w R flex
Ping G400 3h and 4h R flex
Taylormade SLDR 5i thru PW graphite shaft R flex
Cleveland CBX wedges - 50, 54, 58 or 52, 58 (depending on my mood)
Odyssey Versa or White Steel #5
Srixon Q Star

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

On 7/19/2022 at 8:29 PM, WillieT said:

Just finished my read of the book and I agree, his book parallels "Lowest Score Wins".   His approach is more generalized and would appeal to the golfer who is wanting to get away from the swing thought of the day blitz.  I love how he keeps the chapters relatively concise and concludes each with a "Big Ideas" section.  This book along with LSW will be on my reference shelf for many years to come.  I am planning to reread it soon, more to absorb and reinforce what Erik covers in LSW.      

Also wanted to say Jon includes at end of the book special access to his website (much like Erik did with LSW) - guess imitation is truly the most sincere form of flattery. 

Ping G400 SFT 10deg  R flex
Ping G410 3w R flex
Ping G400 3h and 4h R flex
Taylormade SLDR 5i thru PW graphite shaft R flex
Cleveland CBX wedges - 50, 54, 58 or 52, 58 (depending on my mood)
Odyssey Versa or White Steel #5
Srixon Q Star

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Love the book. What has enhanced my appreciation of it is that he refers a lot to tracking statistics and he references Shotscope a lot. I have over 80 rounds of data recorded with my V3.

Biggest things I've taken from it that have had a positive effect on my game:

- the idea of becoming competent at using driver off the tee. Stats don't lie - proximity to the hole after your tee shot has a very marked correlation to score. Practicing getting good at driving the ball is likely to have the biggest impact on your game.

- Greens in regulation also has a very close correlation to score across all handicaps. Increasing greens in reg is the key to lower scores. And being closer to the hole after your tee shot ties into this strongly.

- This has been huge for me. Clubbing up on approaches to the green. Playing the back of the green yardage and swinging easy. Its led to many more green in regs for me personally. Putting the ego away and even gripping down on longer irons to approach greens with a nice, easy swing.

- Understanding that being 20 feet from the hole or 40 feet really has little difference on scoring. There isn't a real trade off with pin hunting on approach shots versus aiming for the middle of the green. Even the pros don't achieve amazing proximity on average on approach shots. And, the reality is a pro and a high handicapper are both statistically unlikely to one putt from outside 8 feet so taking risks to get the ball close on approach just doesn't pay off. Gains can be made by high handicappers, like myself, in working on speed control with putts. Just getting the ball within two putt territory and avoiding 3 putts.

- Scoring better is not about more birdies. rather they are a product of playing the percentages where occasionally things will go your way. Instead, scoring is about culling double bogeys and worse. "Fighting the war on double bogeys" as Sherman puts it.

  • Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Administrator

@Hugh Jars makes me understand why all the previous reviews mentioned LSW. 🙂

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

1 hour ago, iacas said:

@Hugh Jars makes me understand why all the previous reviews mentioned LSW. 🙂

I see his book as a meta-analysis of sorts of works related to statistics based golf analytics. He references you, Marke Broadie and Scott Fawcett consistently through the book. Any point he makes he reinforces with data. I think it’s extremely sound. Similar content covered in LSW, perhaps more detailed on the mental game, a little less technical.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • 3 weeks later...

Just started reading this book...  lovin' it so far! :-)

:tmade: Stealth HD Driver :tmade: M4 3w :tmade: Stealth+ Rescue Hybrid 2

:tmade: P790 2i UDI :tmade: P790 3i-PW :tmade: MG3 52° AW ...56° CUTTER Wedge

...and a lefty L.A.B. B2 putter. :-)

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

On 7/26/2022 at 12:49 PM, Hugh Jars said:

I see his book as a meta-analysis of sorts of works related to statistics based golf analytics. He references you, Marke Broadie and Scott Fawcett consistently through the book. Any point he makes he reinforces with data. I think it’s extremely sound. Similar content covered in LSW, perhaps more detailed on the mental game, a little less technical.

I just finished this book. A meta-analysis is a good way to describe it. I found his perspective as an amateur that improved his game to a higher level (as opposed to a professional) an interesting and different perspective. This book does offer more on the mental game than others. However, having read most of the source material he referenced I didn't find much new information (as some other people have posted). In fact, most of the things he references do a much better and more complete job at explaining the concepts themselves. It kind of bothered me that the whole book seemed to be just summarizing everyone else's work. I guess if you haven't come across any of the other material he references yet then it is a good starting point but even then I'd probably just skip it and read "Every Shot Counts" and LSW. Also an easy quick read on the mental game that I found helpful was Ray Floyd's book "The elements of scoring" as well as the sections in Sieckmann's short game books which explain everything this book talks about and more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


6 hours ago, DaMoose90 said:

I just finished this book. A meta-analysis is a good way to describe it. I found his perspective as an amateur that improved his game to a higher level (as opposed to a professional) an interesting and different perspective. This book does offer more on the mental game than others. However, having read most of the source material he referenced I didn't find much new information (as some other people have posted). In fact, most of the things he references do a much better and more complete job at explaining the concepts themselves. It kind of bothered me that the whole book seemed to be just summarizing everyone else's work. I guess if you haven't come across any of the other material he references yet then it is a good starting point but even then I'd probably just skip it and read "Every Shot Counts" and LSW. Also an easy quick read on the mental game that I found helpful was Ray Floyd's book "The elements of scoring" as well as the sections in Sieckmann's short game books which explain everything this book talks about and more.

Its much more in depth. LSW and Every Shot Counts don't discuss the mental game or go into as much detail on practice or how to manage expectations. Its from a more balanced, rational and relatable perspective for the average golfer. 

The Four Foundations is simply the best golfing book I have ever read.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


5 hours ago, Hugh Jars said:

Its much more in depth. LSW and Every Shot Counts don't discuss the mental game or go into as much detail on practice or how to manage expectations. Its from a more balanced, rational and relatable perspective for the average golfer. 

The Four Foundations is simply the best golfing book I have ever read.

I respectfully disagree with this- which is fine you are entitled to your opinion and I'm glad the book helped you. I read this and LSW (for the third time) and this book back to back and I can tell you that aside from the mental game aspect almost everything that is covered here is in LSW and additionally they present concepts of their own (SV shot zones etc) along with actionable advice. As far as the mental game the material he presents in this book is almost entirely from Ch.8 of Sieckmann's book, DECADE, Ray Floyd's book, and even Bob Rotella's work from many years ago. Very few new or original ideas are presented in this book. It is a good summary of what is current but it would be a mistake to credit the author for these ideas.

People can read the book and form their own opinion but personally I would have a hard time calling this book the greatest golf book ever since it is almost entirely a summary of the work of others with very few original ideas from the author.

 

  • Like 1
  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Administrator

Thanks, @DaMoose90. I wouldn't give @Hugh Jars much attention (and I haven't), as he's made a "@Hugh Jars" out of himself a few times here on the site. I'm not sure he has even read LSW, and a quick look back over his history here reveals a fairly clear picture of his attitude, biases, whatever… Though I do find it funny that many of the same things many here were saying back when he was posting in 2018/2019 and he was fighting against, he now fully embraces: the importance of the driver, hitting greens, etc.

And to all, this topic is about Jon's book, not my own. That doesn't mean you can't mention my book, ESC, etc. But keep the topic mostly about TFFoG.

  • Thumbs Up 2

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • 4 months later...
  • Administrator

Oy.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • I did read the fine print tonight. It said replace with “similar features & function”.  8 yeas ago my purchase had features that today are available on the lower end models and the current version of my model has more “bells & whistles” than what I got 8 years ago.  So I am thinking they honored the agreement and I can’t argue the offer. since getting a credit for the full purchase price all I am really out over the past 8 years was the cost of the extended warranty, which was less than a low end  treadmill would have cost me. now the question is which model to replace with.  I’ll stay with Nordic Track or I forfeit the $1,463 credit so I will get Nordic Track.  And they honored the warranty and were not hard to work with which is a plus.
    • Generally speaking, extended warranties are a terrible deal and should almost always be avoided. They are a huge profit center for the companies that offer them, which should tell you almost everything you need to know about how much value most consumers get when purchasing them.  This is correct, and the old adage applies - only buy insurance when you can't afford the loss. This usually doesn't apply to most consumer goods.  To your second question, no I don't believe the offer is fair. They are replacing it, but it is not being replaced at "no cost to you". Since the amount being disputed (over $500) is non-trivial, I would probably push the issue. Don't waste your time on the phone with a customer service agent or a supervisor. They have probably given you all they have the authority to do. Rather, I would look at the terms of your agreement and specifically legal disputes. The odds are you probably agreed to binding arbitration in the event of a dispute. The agreement will outline what steps need to be followed, but it will probably look something like this.  1. Mail the Nordic Track legal department outlining your dispute and indicate you are not satisfied with the resolution offered.  2. Open up a case with the AAA (American Arbitration Association), along with the required documentation. 3. Wait about 4-5 weeks for a case to be opened - at which point someone from Nordic Track's legal department will offer to give you the new model at no cost to you.  They certainly don't want to spend the time and energy to fight you over $500. 4. Enjoy your new Nordic Track at no cost to you. I recently entered binding arbitration against a fairly large and well known company that screwed me over and refused to make it right. In my demand letter, I made a pretty sizeable request that included compensation for my time and frustration. Once it hit their legal department, they cut me a check - no questions asked. It was far cheaper to settle with me than to send their legal team to defend them in the arbitration.
    • I never thought of looking at it on multiple purchases like you said.  Yes, the extended may help me on 1 or 2 items but not the other 5 or 6.
    • Day 84 - Forgot to post yesterday, but I did some more chipping/pitching.    Back/neck were feeling better today, so I did a much overdue Stack session. 
    • Wordle 1,013 4/6 ⬛⬛🟩🟨⬛ 🟩⬛🟩⬛🟨 🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...