"How I Play Golf" by Tiger Woods

[Dub]

I just ordered a copy.....can't wait for it to arrive.

I was playing a round with my father this week. He made two references to the book when giving me a pointer on my chipping and later with a put I missed.

I'm under no illusion that our swings will ever work the same....but a few tidbits of strategy and course management may apply nicely.

[Smarf]

I've checked it out from the library a few times. I like the quality of the pictures, because most of them have hand-drawn illustrations and I hate that. There aren't too many golf books that I'd like to own, except the for the Feinstein behind-the-scenes type books. Most of them read like snippets from Golf Digest articles, so I'd rather flip through it in a Barnes & Noble or check it out from the library.

[pittpanther]

Several people have commented that the book seems out of date.

The book came out in 2001, so the contents are 9-10 years old. But what do you guys think has changed in the 10 years, that needs to be reflected in the book? Are you looking for more up-to-date stories and anecdotes? Has Tiger's game changed significantly, that the contents of the book will change?

In other words, what in this book won't stand the test of time, like Hogan's Five Lessons, for example?

[iacas]

But what do you guys think has changed in the 10 years, that needs to be reflected in the book? Has Tiger's game changed significantly, that the contents of the book will change?

Tiger's changed his swing quite a bit since the book was written. It's the very definition of "out of date."

[gilwood]

In the book, he mentions that every iron shot should take a dollar sized divot after the ball. Is that normal? On most of my good shots, I just sweep the ball off the ground.

[topspin4hand]

* * * *Has Tiger's game changed significantly, that the contents of the book will change?

To the extent that the book is called "How

I play Golf" then the changes Tiger's gone through do indeed date the book b/c he doesn't *play* golf exactly as described in the book. If it were Tiger's description of basic golf fundamentals, I'd have a different opinion. Btw, I have the book and there are a couple pointers that helped me think through some fundamentals. Essentially, it was hearing it from another source.

[Dub]

My copy finally arrived yesterday.....good condition hardback on ebay for $7 (shipped).

I'll just say that it's the best $7 golf purchase I've ever made.

I'm just barely into the first couple of chapters and already picking up some great tips and insight.

It's funny to me how his section on putting predates the Utley publication by several years....yet is so simular. I've been doing the same thing with reducing my grip pressure and it's certainly helping me roll the rock a bit better.

[lobsterzilla]

one of the first golf books i bought 10 years ago ... great book i still read it every once in a while for the commentary on the mental game.

[GamerJG]

Found this book at a clearance book store sale for $5. I'm not a Tiger fan, actually I dislike him but I respect his knowledge and there is plenty of it in this book. Also, this book is helpful because Tiger goes into how he manages the course and his game. You also get an inside look at his thought process on many of his big, clutch shots. There are tons of great illustrations and photos which help a great deal in golf instruction. Well worth picking up.

[Woters]

Well worth reading, I like the way this book is set out & his Tiger Tips are good as are the tour stories he relates. The mental aspect is excellent & I picked it up for next to nothing in a bookshop sale...bargin!

[chef35ca]

I didn't take a whole lot away from this book. Except the matchplay stuff. That was pretty amusing.

[Meddle]

I didn't take a whole lot away from this book. Except the matchplay stuff. That was pretty amusing.

Yeah, I never really liked it either for it's golf tips, but it does have some interesting stories.

[CPT]

Great book. I got it from someone as a gift and couldn't put it down for months. Still read it from time to time, too. It's fun to go back to specific time of Tiger's career and get to know how he pull those shots off or how he set his mentality before important events.

As for the instruction, I don't think it's very 'mechanic' like other golf instruction books. By reading it all the way through, one can only assumes that Tiger is mostly a 'feel' player. Some of his instructions on certain shots are a little bit difficult to understand, not to mention using them in the practice session.

All in all, this one is good and enjoyable for me.

[nick1998bunker]

I got the book for 2 dollars on ebay. Best golf book i have ever read and i look at it whenever i have a problem. They say it is the #1 selling golf book of all time

[TJBam]

Originally Posted by nick1998bunker

I got the book for 2 dollars on ebay. Best golf book i have ever read and i look at it whenever i have a problem. They say it is the #1 selling golf book of all time

Got it on Amazon for a penny, hardcover, only catch was $5 shipping.  It's a great read with good advice.  Even if you don't heed the advice the Tour anecdotes are worth the reading.  Awesome stories in there.

[Russtopher]

Picked it up for $1 at a library book sale a few weeks ago. Lots of great pictures, some good advice. I agree that the tour anecdotes are probably the best part of the book.