Is it possible to get to get golf advice overload?

[Wisconsin Golfer]

I have been reading so many instructional books, some being repetitive info and others contradicting info, that it is getting confusing. Has this ever happened to you? I am going to read some entertaining golf books like autobiographies or something. Any golf biography style books that you recommend?

[telrod11]

I have been reading so many instructional books, some being repetitive info and others contradicting info, that it is getting confusing.

Yes, I'd say you can certainly overload....

I heard rumor the Peter Kessler (former golf channel personality) had a single digit handicap when he started with the GC, and doubled it by the time he was through.... I wouldn't doubt it listening to al teh different swing theories, night after night.... Anyone verify this, or dispel it as a rumor?

[srjorion]

Absolutely. With tips in magazines, on The Golf Channel, and even here, you can get enough info to make your brain hurt and your swing go South. That's why I stick with what my pro tells me and ignore the rest.

[Stacey_E]

Absolutely. Especially if you are a "feel player" like myself. One of my favorite books with some tips, some feel ideas and some great stories as well is Harvey Pennick's Little Red Book.

[titaniummd]

With 'tips' you have to be cautious since it might not fit the swing philosophy by which your swing is based.

I think that is why the 1 plane 2 plane book came out. However, I notice people with too flat of a swing plane by trying to follow the 1 plane theory.

Another book that was released much earlier was the LAWs of the golf swing basing the swing upon body types (Arc, Leverage, Width).

I, too, have given up on tips. I took the 3 years of Golf Digest and Golf Magazine and put it all around the hospital (in waiting rooms).

I have several books that I have read but base the core fundamentals on these:
8 Step Swing
5 Lessons by Hogan
Swing like a Pro.

I have 2 books for trouble shots:
Saving Par
Golf Cures and Fixes

Regarding the Mental Game:
Golf: The Mental Game
Harvey Penick's Red Book
The Elements of Scoring

Even for Equipment:
The Right Sticks
Search for the Perfect Club
Search for the Perfect Driver
Mad Science of Golf
Just Hit It

[julie_m]

YES! I think it's not just reading too much, but getting the right mix...you have to do some studying but also some just getting out there and playing. And not only playing and whacking balls, but consciously drilling with good form. Just like in school, some folks are so book smart that they have no practical skill, but also vice-versa.

[Doctorfro]

Oh dude! There is huge information overload out there. Beware. Your best bet is to find an instructor who likes to keep it simple. I can't stand all the tips and videos and threads and gadgets. It's a mess.

[PEZGolf]

I have been reading so many instructional books, some being repetitive info and others contradicting info, that it is getting confusing.

Good questions, and here are my responses:

1. Paralysis by analysis: this phrase has been used by many when referring to "overload of instruction". I do not know if there is any sport where so much is written analyzing the activity. And some of it contradicts other advice. 2. Ralph Guldahl----probably the PRIME EXAMPLE of the negative consequences of "overload". He won the Masters and the US Open, and was one of the top players in the late 1930's. THEN-----------he was asked to write a book on "how to play golf". His game then disappeared: "Guldahl won three major championships. He claimed the U.S. Open title in 1937 and 1938. He became the last person to win the U.S. Open while wearing a necktie during play in 1938.[2] He was runner up at the Masters in both 1937 and 1938, before taking that title in 1939. He played on the 1937 Ryder Cup team. Guldahl's game then fell apart and he did not win after 1940. Two-time PGA champion Paul Runyan commented, "It's the most ridiculous thing, really. He went from being temporarily the absolute best player in the world to one who couldn't play at all." One popular theory is that when he wrote an instructional book, he overanalyzed his swing and it fell apart. He played occasionally in the 1940s but then quit tournament golf for good and spent the rest of his working life as a club professional." 3. Jack Nicklaus: he wrote that you can have only one swing thought while swinging. His main one was to turn his shoulder fully under his chin. He wrote that since the swing took less than 3 seconds, it was pointless to think about more than one main thought. If you want some interesting read to get you away from the technical aspects of the game, I recommend the following: 1. "The Walter Hagen Story" by The Haig, himself---reprinted in 2004 by JW Edwards, Inc.------an interesting book about a real character and golf champion 2. "Ben Hogan---An American Life" by James Dodson, who also wrote "Final Rounds", which is fantastic if your Dad played golf 3. "Down the Fairway" by Bobby Jones and OB Keeler 4. "Thirty Years of Championship Golf" by Gene Sarazen 5. "It's Only a Game" by Jackie Burke, Jr. with Guy Yocom---no title ever stated it better

[Dub]

Thanks for the reading list, PEZgolf...gonna have to pick up that Hagen auto...he was quite a character.


I'm currently reading a fictional golf novel titled "Sticks" by William McMillen. It is pretty entertaining so far.

http://www.amazon.com/Sticks-William...3887399&sr;=1-4

[HytrewQasdfg]

One of the "lightbulb" moments as a golfer is when you realize there are multiple golf styles and systems. Swing styles, putting styles, etc..., and they are NOT compatible.

The other one is when you realize the style you were originally taught may not be the best one for you.

Too many instructors teach as though what they teach is the ONLY way, and they give golf tips/instruction assuming everyone plays the style they teach.

Concentrate on finding a swing style that works for you (and understand its mechanics and how it differs from other styles.) Then you can read tip magazines/instructional material and ask yourself "does this apply to my style?" or "how can I adapt this to my style?"

[wachesawgolfer]

Anybody who can play well can become a golf instructor. All great players make very similar moves but it "feels" different to each of them. Finding the right golf instructional material or teacher is like just going into a golf store and buying a driver with no regard for flex, loft, etc. and it being the perfect stick for you. Odds are it will not be. It takes time to experiment and find that approach which jives with your senses to make the feels to trigger the right motions.

[dave s]

Yes. My wife is a 2nd year player and definitely feeling information overload after learning a whole bunch in a short period of time. Here's the tee box ritual as she talks her way from setup through launch of a drive:

Driver face alignment to target - check

Ball position left big toe - check

Stance wider than normal - check

Stand up - check

Head behind ball - check

Butt out - check

Quick recheck of alignment to target - check

Drop hands into hitting position - check

Low and slow on takeaway - check

Ignition, downswing, launch.

And she goes through this on EVERY tee shot! Not so much in the fairway because her next goal is getting to the green in however many shots it takes.

She lives for the day much of the above becomes 'automatic' for her and she doesn't have to think through every swing. Can you imagine how mentally exhausting golf would be?!!!

dave

[Shindig]

I have suffered lately from serious advice overload. When I went to a fitness pro, he ended up also watching me swing and saying things about using various muscles. Then the club-fitters also talked about ball position and some swing aspects. Much of what I heard from the last two didn't combine well with what I learned from my instructor.

[GaijinGolfer]

You can definetly get golf advice overload. If you have too many swing thoughts, it can definetly get in the way and ruin a decent golfswing.

[Zeph]

There is no doubt about it, I think most players today that read magazines, on the internet etc. can suffer from this. Trying to puzzle together 12 different advices does nothing but ruin your swing.

[PEZGolf]

Thanks for the reading list, PEZgolf...gonna have to pick up that Hagen auto...he was quite a character.

You are welcome. You sound like a REAL golf fan, who likes to read about the "Greatest Game of All", as well as play it. One last recommendation (especially since October 25th will be the 9th anniversary of his tragic passing):

The Payne Stewart Story by Tracey Stewart-----------------like Walter Hagen, Payne was a REAL CHARACTER and Champion golfer. He was and is our favorite golfer of all time, and we are fortunate to have met him a number of times.

[worst_shot_ever]

If you feel like you're at sea with all the conflicting advice, this video should help. He really boils down the secret of golf into an easy to follow, one and a half minute lesson. Give it a look:

[cigarnut81]

Yes, tips are no way to play golf.