5 or so golf books everyone should read?

[Jesh]

I was gonna post this in books, but it seems those are only for discussing the "actual" books, not what ones I (or anyone else) should get. My birthday is coming up soon, two months, and I'll probably be getting golf books. My mom will then know I'm obsessed, but with this game, who isn't?

But anyway, what golf books would you guys suggest everyone read?

I'm thinking:

1. Tour Tempo
2. Ben Hogan's 5...(can't remember the whole title)

And I need more suggestions.

[shankapotamus]

Zen Golf/Golf isn't a game of perfect by Dr. Parent/Dr. Rotella
Secrets of the shortgame by Stan Utley.

Read Hogan's book before Novosel's. Tour Tempo won't help you as much if you don't have good fundamentals.

[laxbballgolf]

I like Pelz's short game bible. It's written from an engineering standpoint, and has some really cool data, statistics, and info the average golfer might not know (not that I agree with everything he says i.e. square back square through putting, but I think it's a great read).

[CG031]

Paper Tiger by Tom Coyne is a terrific golf book and puts your dreams and hopes of ever trying to make it to the PGA Tour in perspective. Probably my favorite book ever.

[HSip]

Got to cruise through Harvey Penick's Little Red Bood every so often. Lots and lots of nuggets. Cheers

[Shindig]

In no particular order:

- Stan Utley's Art of Short Game (despite erroneous title by a poster above)
- Bob Rotella's "Golf is not a Game of Perfect"
- Raymond Floyd's "Elements of Scoring"
- Harvey Penick's "Little Red Book"
- Paper Tiger by Tom Coyne

[wrx_junki]

I have 3 suggestions:
Ben Hogan's 5 Fundamentals
Harvey Penick's Red Book
Bob Rotella's Golf is Not a Game of Perfect

[Amused]

1) Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf - Ben Hogan
2) The Art of the Short Game - Stan Utley
3) Golf My Way - Jack Nicklaus
4) Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime in Golf - Harvey Penick
5) Paper Tiger: An Obsessed Golfer's Quest to Play with the Pros - Tom Coyne

[chriskzoo]

Hogans 5 Fundamentals of Golf and Penicks' Little Red Book, period.

[Leftygolfer]

Pelz short game bible.

I don't read many books. I would like to get the stan Utley book and the tour tempo book, as well as the Rottella series on CD.

I have the Phil DVD and it isn't reading, but I like it.

[ugottabjoshinme]

I loved Practical Golf by John Jacobs. I got much more out of it than I did Hogan's book.

[HytrewQasdfg]

The Perfect Swing - Jim Suttie - Not an instructional book per se, but an enlightenment book. You'll come away from this book understanding there are several different valid swing styles (and what they are.) Gives you information so you can decide what the best swing mechanics for YOU might be.

The Golfing Machine - Homer Kelly - (flame retardent suit on, and no I am not a TGM cult member) This is NOT an instructional book. At the end of the day, it is a catalog of golf mechanics/techniques. It is very difficult to read. If you can manage to make it through the book , you will come away with an understanding that there are several (imcompatible) golf swings. You'll also have a catalog of swing techniques and understand which swing styles they do (and do not) apply. Good to know, because the next time you run across a bit of golf advice/instruction you can evaluate it and determine if it is compatibale with your current swing style goals.

See and Feel the Inside Move the Outside - Michael Hebron - Small print run book. Very underrated. Discusses how to build a modern swing in simple, plain language. Stresses the importance of building a swing from the ground up, and using your large muscles (the inside). Explains lag, centrifugal force, and COAM, why they are important, and uses simple language to explain it. If you are at all confused abut the modern golf swing, and the role your various body parts (legs, hips, core, arms, hands, etc...) play, get this book.

Five Lessons - Ben Hogan - A golfer not owning this book is like a Christain not owning a Bible. The information here is specific to Hogan, so you need to read this while asking yourself "does this apply to my swing?" For many people, when they talk about the modern swing they are talking about the swing described in this book. Has something of a cult following.

Golf My Way - Jack Nicklaus - Nicklaus was the one of the early originators of the modern golf swing. You'll notice in this book that there are a number of significant differences between Hogan's and Nicklaus' swings. The lesson you should come away from this is the modern swing isn't set in stone. There are a number of valid variations that you should consider depending on what you need to do. The drawings (as in the Hogan book) are excellent.

[k1993]

I love Penick's Little Red Book

[Marinemike]

I'm surprised Rotella's Putting Out of Your Mind hasn't made the list. The thread for it in the reading room is glowing. Big thumbs up to this thread.

[uttexas]

Hogan's 5 lessons
Jacob's Practical Golf
Watson's Getting up and down 40 yards and in
Pelz' short game bible
Pennick's Little Red Book

[jigray3]

How about fiction?

The Green - Troon McAllister
Missing Links - Rick Reilly
Shanks for Nothing - Rick Reilly
Dead Solid Perfect - Dan Jenkins
Fairway to Hell: Around the World in 18 Holes - Franz Lidz


And Historical Non-fiction

The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story - Mark Frost
Grand Slam: Bobby Jones, America, and the Story of Golf - Mark Frost
Tommy's Honor - Kevin Cook
Ben Hogan: An American Life - James Dodson
A Good Walk Spoiled - John Feinstein

[CG031]

I just ordered Hogan's five lesssons of the fundamentals and i also ordered rotella's golf is not a game of perfect. hopefully both will help me and i'll be sure to tell you all if they are worth it in my opinion.

[uttexas]

Fiction

Golf in the Kingdom