Good books or training aids

[Xt1ncT]

I was wondering what books and training aids people found beneficial.

I've tried lots of things but the ones with the most merit and helped me the most are:

Dave Pelz Short Game Bible - got me from 14 down to 7 (I know this has been covered but there are more to come...)

Bob Rotella - Golf Is Not A Game of Perfect - an excellent read, and a book that I go back to regularly to try to ingrain the thoughts and messages he puts forward.

Bob Rotella - Putting Out of Your Mind - another excellent read from the "top" golf psychologist, I actually have this sitting on my bedside table to read at least once a week.

Swingyde - http://www.swingyde.com.au - This is an excellent training aid that is very simple, and very effective.

This weekend I bought a very simmple putting mat with a straight line all the way up to the hole, this makes alignment very easy, and seeing if you'd hit it straight even easier.

I was thinking about the Ernie Els traiing kit, but can't quite decide on that one - I do already have a weighted club that I warm up with and use to do stratching etc.

What else have you guys tried that you've thought, wow this is terrific?

[Puttin4Bird]

I have "Tiger Woods: How I play golf." that I have read cover to cover once or twice but now I generally just use it for reference when I'm having difficulty with a certain area, it seems to be a good book. One thing I try to avoid however is picking up on too many tips from too many sources, sometimes a Golf Digest magazine can be a killer!

[gas_can]

Xt1ncT,

In addition to the books you've mentioned, I would add a couple.

I think all golfers should read "Every Shot Must Have a Purpose." It's a great book that goes beyond Rotellas stuff in many respects.

Jim Hardy's "Plane Truth for Golfers" changed my golf swing for the better. His DVD set is incredible, and explains things far better than the book.

For overall putting Stan Utley's "The Art of Putting" is well worth it if you're intrested in "on plane" putting.

On the putting green, the best training aids I have ever had are a metal yard stick and a chalk line.

If you read "The Art of Putting" and "Putting out of Your Mind" you'll know why!

[SubPar]

This will sound dorkey, but a few years ago Ledbetter's Laser Guide made it clear to me what a correct take-away felt like and how to get my hands into the slot before release. I hardly used it because it only took a couple of ten minute sessions to plant that "feeling" in my head.

Recently, the Tour Tempo book/CD made a huge improvement in my consistency. Defining and quantifying a repeatable tempo has greatly improved my ball striking and control my shots.

[rembrandt]

Today I went to a Ragae Of Paris Shop and I found 5 books on golf and 3 were hard backs and I bought all of them for $9.00. I'll leave feedback later if they are any good.

[rembrandt]

The books I bought today are:

1. "Golf Anecdotes" by Robert Sommers
2. "The Square-To-Square Golf Swing" by Dick Aultman and the Golf Digest editors.
3. "Golf Is A Game Of Confidence" by Bob Rotella
4. "Astonishing Golf Facts" by Allan Zullo

All I got was 4 but they all look interesting!

[SubPar]

Golf is a Game of Confidence is a good one.

The most helpful are the ones are about the emotional and mental part of the game, rather than mechanics.

These have provided priceless insight into the game...

The Inner Game of Golf by W. Timothy Gallwey
The Elements of Scoring: A Master's Guide to the Art of Scoring Your Best When You're Not Playing Your Best - Raymond Floyd, Jaime Diaz, Fred Couples, and Arnold Palmer
Every Shot I Take - Davis Love III

[cdriver]

Harvey Penick's Little Red Book.

[Xt1ncT]

Xt1ncT,

Thanks gas_can - as always great comments.

I'll check them out and post relevant feedback on them.

[NCGolfer]

If you read "The Art of Putting" and "Putting out of Your Mind" you'll know why!

gas_can -

Is "The Art of Putting" more of an instructional book? I love Rotella's stuff, but after a while, it's a bit fluffy and leaves me wanting more. I'm getting more and more interested in what Utley has to say as it seems he is, somewhat, merging Rotella with instruction. Thanks for your helpful comments as usual.

[rembrandt]

Harvey Penick's Little Red Book.

I have that book and that is a great little book. I'll have to drag it out and read it again.

[gas_can]

gas_can -

NCGolfer,

Stan covers every aspect of putting in his book. Equipment, stroke, and mental aspects of putting are all connected. Stan's a tour player, one with a less than adequate game tee to green. Although his teaching has started to overshadow his playing career, all the ideas he talks about he uses every day as well as his high profile students. It's definately worth picking up. Stan's ideas are great, and they are a fairly significant departure from Rotellas ideas in some aspects. Give them a try, I think you'll be pleased.

[NCGolfer]

NCGolfer,

Thank you. I'm probably going to pick it up. Putting has always been the one part of my game that has never been better than 'good'.

[gas_can]

Thank you. I'm probably going to pick it up. Putting has always been the one part of my game that has never been better than 'good'.

I also neglected to mention that Stan has a DVD and training aid which are helpful if you decide you really want to commit to his methods.

The DVD is essentially a scripted lesson with Stan where you watch, and the training aid gives you an easy visual reference of the stroke in several different ways. The prototype I got was right hand only, but I believe it's now adapted for both the "right" and "wrong" ways. http://www.eyelinegolf.com/lc_tour.php

[Xt1ncT]

I think all golfers should read "Every Shot Must Have a Purpose." It's a great book that goes beyond Rotellas stuff in many respects.

gas_can

I ordered these from Amazon yesterday, should take about 10-12 days to get all the way round the other side of the world..!!!! I'll come back with my thoughs once I've read them. Thanks again, as always

[SubPar]

DAVE STOCKTON'S PUTT TO WIN: Secrets for Mastering the Other Game of Golf by Dave Stockton is a good putting book.

[Spinner]

This will sound dorkey, but a few years ago Ledbetter's Laser Guide made it clear to me what a correct take-away felt like and how to get my hands into the slot before release. I hardly used it because it only took a couple of ten minute sessions to plant that "feeling" in my head.

I was thinking about picking up this item. Would you recommend it?

[BigAl5150]

Just looking through my library:

Harvey Penick's Little Red Book & And If You Play Golf, You're My Friend
Bob Rotella Golf is Not a Game of Perfect
Dr. Gio Valiante Fearless Golf
Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible
David Leadbetter 100% Golf
Stan Utley The Art of Putting