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

[microcrayfish]

Juat a quick question. Is Utley's book the one that teaches the arc putting swing? I'm not interested in adopting that but does his book have much to offer in other areas, or would it be useless if I don't adopt his putting technique?

[hamletsdead]

For me, Stan Utley's The Art of the Short Game and T he Art of Putting changed the way I thought and played tremendously, and if I had to pick two books I'd go with them. If you have to have a third book in your bag, I'd go with Dan Jenkins The Money-Whipped Steer-Job Three-Jack Give-Up Artist . Not an instructional book, but it will definitely help pass the Ohio winter.

[Stacey_E]

My favs in no particular order are:

Pennick's Little Red Book
Pelz's Short Game Bible
Hogan's Five Lessons

But I have to get the Bob Rotella books. I'm convinced that this type of material is what I should be reading.

[bobsuruncle]

The books I enjoyed and learnt the most from were:

1. Pelz's Short Game Bible
2. Hogan's Five Lessons
3. I don't recall the title, but Golf Digest put together a book from the collection of its Break 80, 90, 100 section.

Also, when I first started golf (and I'm self taught), I benefited from watching a VCD on How to Build a Classic Swing by Ernie Els. He has a book on the same I believe.

Happy reading.

[Stacey_E]

Also I forgot "Golf Tips" its a little bathroom sized book with about 500 pages of one page tips and illustrations on every aspect of the golf game, rules, etiquette, equiptment, short and long game, putting, etc. It's just about $10 and an excellent book for beginners especially. Great stocking stuffer.

[dave s]

Thanks everybody for the thoughtful recommendations on books. Because my wife plays and you guys have recommended so many GOOD books, maybe I'll stretch the book budget to around $100 (what the hell, we can't play golf in NE Ohio from November through April!) and share them with the wife as well!

Thanks again. On the list and likely bought soon will be:

1) Pelz Short Game Bible

2) Hogan's Five Lessons

3) Jack's Golf My Way

4) The Art of Putting - Stan Utley

5) One of the following: Mind over Golf; the Dan Jenkins book (sounds like a hoot!) or Golf In The Kingdom.

Great stuff. Again, thank you everybody for the fine recs on reading materials during another POS Ohio winter!

dave

[Aetsh]

I'm working on Harvey Pennicks Little Red Book right now, and its pretty rad.

BTW, you can get any and every golf book on ebay for pocket change..I got LRB for I think $1.20, with $3 shipping

[PEZGolf]

As you know, Jack Nicklaus was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and he survived the winters and became a fairly decent golfer. In "The Greatest Game of All", there are photos of him hitting balls outside during the winter. He was protected by a small quonset hut that was open on one side and had a heater in it. That goes to show his desire, determination and LOVE OF THE GAME, that he could do that to keep practicing in the cold months. HAPPY READING, and Merry Christmas!!

[Mr Eagle]

I have found The Encyclopedia of Golf Techniques(Chris Meadows) a usefull reference and of course Ben Hogans "Five Lessons" goes without saying.