Golf Books

Stevie555

Hi All,

New to the forum but have been following it for a few weeks so have decided to get involved. I am new to golf, took it up in the middle of last summer and am hooked ever since. As you can imagine I'm pretty average at best but looking to improve gradually this year. I have had two lessons and play as often as I can.

I suppose like most people who take up golf i'm looking to be as good as possible as quickly as possible which isn't realistic. Heading away on holiday for a week soon and wanted to buy a good golf book to bring with me that would benefit my game/knowledge and allow me to be more specific in my practice rather just hitting balls for the sake of it.I was looking at Hogans 5 lessons and also Dave Pelz's Short Game bible. Has anyone any opinions on these and whether they are worth getting or any other recommendations would be great.

alxmorgan

Stevie555 wrote: »

Hi All,

New to the forum but have been following it for a few weeks so have decided to get involved. I am new to golf, took it up in the middle of last summer and am hooked ever since. As you can imagine I'm pretty average at best but looking to improve gradually this year. I have had two lessons and play as often as I can.

I suppose like most people who take up golf i'm looking to be as good as possible as quickly as possible which isn't realistic. Heading away on holiday for a week soon and wanted to buy a good golf book to bring with me that would benefit my game/knowledge and allow me to be more specific in my practice rather just hitting balls for the sake of it.I was looking at Hogans 5 lessons and also Dave Pelz's Short Game bible. Has anyone any opinions on these and whether they are worth getting or any other recommendations would be great.

Golf is not a game of perfect. Easy read and well worth it. You'll come back to it again and again.

ryaner777

Picked Golf is not a game of perfect up yesterday at a second hand book stall in howth market for 50c

If anyone would like it after I'm finished just let me know

Aesop

Dave Pelz book is excellent. It is a sizeable tome though (~450 pages) and incredible detail in it. If you are a student of the short game and you are willing to put in the time well worth it. Wouldn't suit everyone though and I would imagine a tough one to read cover to cover. More like a short game reference manual than a holiday read maybe?

Hogan's book is a good one. Again pretty technical put some great illustrations and in fairness a short read. Is a great starting point for the full swing and for fundamentals such as posture, grip, alignment etc.

Harvey Penick's Little red book is one of my favourite. Small easy to read nuggets of pure golfing wisdom.

I also like Faldo's a swing for life. Breaks the golf swing down and explains it well.

Oilbeefhooked!

Aesop wrote: »

Dave Pelz book is excellent. It is a sizeable tome though (~450 pages) and incredible detail in it. If you are a student of the short game and you are willing to put in the time well worth it. Wouldn't suit everyone though and I would imagine a tough one to read cover to cover. More like a short game reference manual than a holiday read maybe?

Hogan's book is a good one. Again pretty technical put some great illustrations and in fairness not a short read. Is a great starting point for the full swing and for fundamentals such as posture, grip, alignment etc.

Harvey Penick's Little red book is one of my favourite. Small easy to read nuggets of pure golfing wisdom.

I also like Faldo's a swing for life. Breaks the golf swing down and explains it in well.

+1 for Harvey Pennicks -Little Red Book , makes things very simple.

The_Kew_Tour

Aesop wrote: »

Dave Pelz book is excellent. It is a sizeable tome though (~450 pages) and incredible detail in it. If you are a student of the short game and you are willing to put in the time well worth it. Wouldn't suit everyone though and I would imagine a tough one to read cover to cover. More like a short game reference manual than a holiday read maybe?

Hogan's book is a good one. Again pretty technical put some great illustrations and in fairness not a short read. Is a great starting point for the full swing and for fundamentals such as posture, grip, alignment etc.

Harvey Penick's Little red book is one of my favourite. Small easy to read nuggets of pure golfing wisdom.

I also like Faldo's a swing for life. Breaks the golf swing down and explains it in well.

Agree with this.

I have read Dave Pelz book and I loved it.

Nick Faldos book is excellent too, but I would read Ben Hogans before it as it covers more of basic stuff.

Ben Hogans is a must have for all Golf Books Fans. It helped me greatly years ago when my Long game was up in a heap.

spacecoyote

I'd say go with "Golf is not a game of perfect" by Bob Rotella. You'll fly through it & pick up some nice little tips re your attitude & thoughts on a course.it's a perfect holiday read.

Other than that try "Dream On" by John Richardson about an Irish guy who wanted to shoot a level par round within a year. Nice light read with good humour & you'll recognise a lot of things that most of us amateurs have done.

Or else "Golf Dreams" by John Updike. Again not a book for technique but a very nice light holiday read. It's essentially a bunch of articles put together written about golf by Updike.

Don't know that I'd get bogged down in Pelz or Hogan on a holiday

The_Kew_Tour

spacecoyote wrote: »

Don't know that I'd get bogged down in Pelz or Hogan on a holiday

Ya you're right.

Not read Bob Rotella books but might give them a chance in coming months.

Running Balance

Plus one on doctor bob, putting out of your mind is very good, helped me no end!!!

kieran.

Got the bridged versions of bob rotellas golf is not a game of perfect, Golf is a game of confidence, putting out of your mind and the golf of your dreams in audiobook found them really good for some light listening to and from work. Good value on amazon

princess poppy

Darren clarke wrote a book with karl Morris which is excellent and very readable with individual comments from clarke.

Of all the golf books I have devoured, and there has been many, ben hogans five steps is a must have but I think to have it on holidays when you couldn't put his adbice into practice would be torture

princess poppy

princess poppy wrote: »

Darren clarke wrote a book with karl Morris which is excellent and very readable with individual comments from clarke.

Of all the golf books I have devoured, and there has been many, ben hogans five steps is a must have but I think to have it on holidays when you couldn't put his adbice into practice would be torture

Sorry should have said name of darren clarkes book is "golf - the mind factor"

princess poppy

Also read a book called "4 iron to the soul" which I loved, cant remember name of author.

Think something non technical like tgat would be better for holidays

FixdePitchmark

princess poppy wrote: »

Also read a book called "4 iron to the soul" which I loved, cant remember name of author.

Think something non technical like tgat would be better for holidays

http://www.amazon.com/Four-Iron-Soul-Lawrence-Donegan/dp/0140260145

Is a great read.

Shows the difficulty of the pro game and caddy game - maybe a bit dated now. But still a good read.

princess poppy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

http://www.amazon.com/Four-Iron-Soul-Lawrence-Donegan/dp/0140260145

Is a great read.

Shows the difficulty of the pro game and caddy game - maybe a bit dated now. But still a good read.

Now I feel old :-(

Will just havet to drown my sorrow on the golf course which should be entirely possible at the moment

FixdePitchmark

princess poppy wrote: »

Now I feel old :-(

Will just havet to drown my sorrow on the golf course which should be entirely possible at the moment

I'd be in the same boat - as read it when it was first out.

A more modern version would be maybe both of Colin Byrne's Bagmans.

But - still a good book above.

Stevie555

Thanks for all the recommendations, I really appreciate it.

I think I will buy Ben Hogans 5 lessons in the next few days and get cracking on it before I head away, sounds like its the type of book you need to put what he talks about into practice asap rather than read it on holiday and forget half of it by the time you get off the beach!

Think I will go with Golf is not a game of Perfect and Harvey Penicks Little Red Book, both sound very interesting and have been helpful to plenty of people on here and easy reading. The short game bible can wait until I get back, sounds like it needs plenty of concentration to get through anyway!

Thanks again!

hrigsby2

Regardless of your opinions on the guy, Tiger's book is pretty good. It gives insight into the mental part of his game and the swing thoughts that go along with his shotmaking.

I also recommend reading course design strategy books. The game gets easier when you can see how holes are meant to be played at a glance.

The_Kew_Tour

hrigsby2 wrote: »

I also recommend reading course design strategy books. The game gets easier when you can see how holes are meant to be played at a glance.

Anyones you would recommend? Never read any of these types of books. Really something I need to improve on

Wichita Lineman

I cant believe that nobody recommended 'Hooked' - by Kevin Markham yet an essential addition to everyobody's golfing library. Although speaking for myself no golf book has ever given me as much enjoyment as actually playing the game itself.

hrigsby2

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Anyones you would recommend? Never read any of these types of books. Really something I need to improve on

Sure thing! I could give you a whole bibliography I'd bet, but some of the best in my opinion are:

- Golf Architecture in America by George Thomas
- Golf Architecture by Alister Mackenzie
- Anatomy of a Golf Course by Tom Doak
- Grounds for Golf by Geoff Shackelford

Those are some of the best, and should keep you busy for a week or two!

The_Kew_Tour

hrigsby2 wrote: »

Sure thing! I could give you a whole bibliography I'd bet, but some of the best in my opinion are:

- Golf Architecture in America by George Thomas
- Golf Architecture by Alister Mackenzie
- Anatomy of a Golf Course by Tom Doak
- Grounds for Golf by Geoff Shackelford

Those are some of the best, and should keep you busy for a week or two!

Cheers man!

If I saw these on the book shelf I more ikely think they were about course design then playing strategy.

FixdePitchmark

hrigsby2 wrote: »

Sure thing! I could give you a whole bibliography I'd bet, but some of the best in my opinion are:

- Golf Architecture in America by George Thomas
- Golf Architecture by Alister Mackenzie
- Anatomy of a Golf Course by Tom Doak
- Grounds for Golf by Geoff Shackelford

Those are some of the best, and should keep you busy for a week or two!

What's your golf level hrigsby2 ? Handicap ?

paulos53

If you are looking for a book on the humorous side of the game then Fairway to Hell is worth a read.

Slicemeister

Got Sam Torrance's book Out Of Bounds for Xmas, very enjoyable book. A series of anecdotes both from Sam himself and his adversaries down the years.

More like something for the sun lounge than the practice green.

The_Kew_Tour

This seems like good value considering its 25e in most shops and even 20e plus online

Its Nick Faldos book for anyone interested

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/A-Swing-for-Life-Nick-Faldo-Very-Good-condition-Book-/350988588563?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item51b88cd613

hrigsby2

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Cheers man!

If I saw these on the book shelf I more ikely think they were about course design then playing strategy.

Well they are...but to me I find that there is a lot of merit in knowing why a hole was designed the way it was. If you know what the architect intended to be the strategy of the hole, it makes it much easier from a playing strategy point of view to understand how to use that design to cater to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.

You'll find that a lot of Golf Course Architects focus much more on aesthetics and strategy (and rightfully so) when they're writing or describing what they do to others. So the books on the subject by architects will be much more explanatory of these things rather than a guidebook as to how a bunker is built, how a green is shaped, etc.

What's your golf level hrigsby2 ? Handicap ?

Currently it's an 8.3 (although I haven't updated it since I got to Ireland last month). I've been better (about a 5-7 when I was playing a ton (when I was 14 to 15 years old I played about 54 holes a day every day, all summer long).

Got out of that with school and life responsibilities and got away from the game for a bit and I'm just getting back into playing as more than a once a month or every couple of months social outing.

I must say I'm realizing again why this game is so frustrating and addictive at the same time. Being stuck in that rut of not being able to get all of the parts of the game to function together will keep you wanting more and more!

Learning to play links golf here is also tough. Back home, the wind is rarely ever more than a "let me aim 5-10 yards left to combat this little prevailing wind," whereas here it can completely alter the way a shot needs to be played. I'm probably playing at more of a 11-12 since I got here, but I think I'm starting to figure out how to alter my game for the conditions!

denishurley

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

This seems like good value considering its 25e in most shops and even 20e plus online

Its Nick Faldos book for anyone interested

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/A-Swing-for-Life-Nick-Faldo-Very-Good-condition-Book-/350988588563?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item51b88cd613

I got the original version for a penny on Amazon two years ago, perfect condition!

The_Kew_Tour

denishurley wrote: »

I got the original version for a penny on Amazon two years ago, perfect condition!

A penny??? How did you manage that? Fair play.

denishurley

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

A penny??? How did you manage that? Fair play.

They must have had a lot of excess stock, though postage wasn't astronomical either.

Does anyone have any recommendations for good non-instructional golf books? I've read all of Mark Frost's and they're wonderful, last year I read an interesting one which followed Davis Love for one tournament in 1992, I like the ones which give an insight into a golfer's life.

spacecoyote

Just finished reading Kevin Markhams latest, Driving the Green which was a very enjoyable read.

John updikes Golf Dreams is also worth a look. More of a collection of short pieces.

George plimptons The Bogey Man is also good.

John Richardson Dream On, about a guy who set himself the target of shooting a level par round in 1 year.

Bob rotella Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect is about golf psychology rather than technique & a great read.

I'd recommend any if the above.

FixdePitchmark

Mark Frost stuff - are fairly impressive as books alone, never mind they are about golf.

I'd go for 1st one first - class.

The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story (2002)
The Grand Slam: Bobby Jones, America, And the Story of Golf (2006)
The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever (2007)
Game Six (2009)

Barnaboy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Mark Frost stuff - are fairly impressive as books alone, never mind they are about golf.

I'd go for 1st one first - class.

The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story (2002)
The Grand Slam: Bobby Jones, America, And the Story of Golf (2006)
The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever (2007)
Game Six (2009)

Endorsed. Easily the best golf book I ever read. The movie was a shocker :rolleyes:

denishurley

The movie is poor enough alright. Frost's book on Bobby Jones was excellent too, I felt, gives a great overall view of the man.

Cheers for all the suggestions, I ordered the following from Amazon (all second-hand again, total ex postage came to about stg£5!):
Tales from Q School by John Feinstein
Paper Tiger, by Tom Coyne
A Course Called Ireland, also by Coyne

SevesThreeIron

Here's a few interesting ones that I enjoyed;

* The Pro, Lessons About Golf and Life From My Father, Claude Harmon, Sr. By Claude 'Butch' Harmon, JR (Great insight into Butch's golfing background. Most people probably know but his Da was the last club pro to win the Masters, in '48. Lots of great anecdotes about the famous players sitting at the family kitchen table etc)

* Ben Hogan, An American Life. By James Dodson (Life story. His early years were tough. Goes deep enough into his father's death and the impact of this as well as his infamous tete a tete with a bus)

* The Life of O'Reilly. By John O'Reilly and Ivan Morris (life story of John O'Reilly, hard drinking, hard smoking former caddie of Des Smyth and Harrington. Once had a scam going at a British Open where he stuffed an entry ticket into a tennis ball and continually tossed the ball back and forth over the hedge to patrons - charging them 20 pounds a go each time!)

* Christy, From Rough to Fair Ways. By Justin Doyle. (Life story. All kinds of interesting stuff, golf and non-golf as you might guess)

* Bagman and Bagman 2. By Colin Byrne. (A collection of his columns for the Irish Times)

* Seve, The Official Autobiography. (Does a bit too much moaning but very interesting to learn of his background - learned the game with a 3-iron and a hole that he dug into the beach in his native Pedrena)

* John Daly, My Life In and Out Of The Rough. By Glen Waggoner. (Life story again, bit like reading a match report in the Sun but interesting nonetheless)

Honourable mentions; Sam Torrance and Mark James autobiogs, Touching Greatness by Dermot Gilleece and Gary Player's 'Don't Choke'. Like all of them.

On the Rotella books, his first is by far and away the best, Golf Is Not a Game Of Perfect. There'd be a strong enough strong school of thought that Rotella and Bob Cullen are churning out the same basic points, book after book, since the original one to feed the frenzy.

Anyhow, I'm off to read a golf book....

Kevinmarkham

spacecoyote wrote: »

John Richardson Dream On, about a guy who set himself the target of shooting a level par round in 1 year.

Due out as a movie later this year. John gets a cameo.

denishurley wrote: »

Tom Coyne
A Course Called Ireland

He's about to set off to play Scotland... not walking this time. Book to be called A Course Called The Kingdom

yettie1701

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Due out as a movie later this year. John gets a cameo.



He's about to set off to play Scotland... not walking this time. Book to be called A Course Called The Kingdom

Get in there before him Kevin. Call it Hooked in the kingdom. I wonder how long it would take to play all the courses in the motherland?

Adiaga 2

SevesThreeIron wrote: »

Here's a few interesting ones that I enjoyed;

* The Pro, Lessons About Golf and Life From My Father, Claude Harmon, Sr. By Claude 'Butch' Harmon, JR (Great insight into Butch's golfing background. Most people probably know but his Da was the last club pro to win the Masters, in '48. Lots of great anecdotes about the famous players sitting at the family kitchen table etc)

* Ben Hogan, An American Life. By James Dodson (Life story. His early years were tough. Goes deep enough into his father's death and the impact of this as well as his infamous tete a tete with a bus)

* The Life of O'Reilly. By John O'Reilly and Ivan Morris (life story of John O'Reilly, hard drinking, hard smoking former caddie of Des Smyth and Harrington. Once had a scam going at a British Open where he stuffed an entry ticket into a tennis ball and continually tossed the ball back and forth over the hedge to patrons - charging them 20 pounds a go each time!)

* Christy, From Rough to Fair Ways. By Justin Doyle. (Life story. All kinds of interesting stuff, golf and non-golf as you might guess)

* Bagman and Bagman 2. By Colin Byrne. (A collection of his columns for the Irish Times)

* Seve, The Official Autobiography. (Does a bit too much moaning but very interesting to learn of his background - learned the game with a 3-iron and a hole that he dug into the beach in his native Pedrena)

* John Daly, My Life In and Out Of The Rough. By Glen Waggoner. (Life story again, bit like reading a match report in the Sun but interesting nonetheless)

Honourable mentions; Sam Torrance and Mark James autobiogs, Touching Greatness by Dermot Gilleece and Gary Player's 'Don't Choke'. Like all of them.

On the Rotella books, his first is by far and away the best, Golf Is Not a Game Of Perfect. There'd be a strong enough strong school of thought that Rotella and Bob Cullen are churning out the same basic points, book after book, since the original one to feed the frenzy.

Anyhow, I'm off to read a golf book....

Good list there. I would add "Obsessed: Inside the Head of Padraig Harrington" by Paul Keane to that list. A great read and insight into the rise of Harrington to major champion.

Haven't read a golf book in ages. Might give Christy's a go.

SevesThreeIron

Adiaga 2 wrote: »

Good list there. I would add "Obsessed: Inside the Head of Padraig Harrington" by Paul Keane to that list. A great read and insight into the rise of Harrington to major champion.

Ha, thanks a lot Adiaga, I have to agree with you - mainly because it was me that wrote Obsessed! A labour of love for sure. Did it two years or so ago. Pity PH couldn't kick on. I was banking on another major or two from the great man to boost sales.

* I don't know Adiaga 2 from Adam, for the record. But he has an excellent taste in books!

TRS30

Ben Hogan- An American Life by James Dodson. Very insightful on one of the greatest players of all time.

saintastic

SevesThreeIron wrote: »

Here's a few interesting ones that I enjoyed;

* The Pro, Lessons About Golf and Life From My Father, Claude Harmon, Sr. By Claude 'Butch' Harmon, JR (Great insight into Butch's golfing background. Most people probably know but his Da was the last club pro to win the Masters, in '48. Lots of great anecdotes about the famous players sitting at the family kitchen table etc)

Somebody mentioned this book on this forum before, may have been you SevesThreeIron, whoever did, thanks as I really enjoyed it.

SevesThreeIron

saintastic wrote: »

Somebody mentioned this book on this forum before, may have been you SevesThreeIron, whoever did, thanks as I really enjoyed it.

I don't think it was me but it's a great book alright. When Butch starts looking down the lens and talking into the camera on Sky I think of the book and let him off! He's steeped in golf in fairness. Some family.

Adiaga 2

SevesThreeIron wrote: »

Ha, thanks a lot Adiaga, I have to agree with you - mainly because it was me that wrote Obsessed! A labour of love for sure. !

I know That's not why I posted though. Surprised it hasn't been mentioned on the thread already.

I actually tried to PM you when I first read the book to say how much I enjoyed it but your account was closed.

SevesThreeIron

Adiaga 2 wrote: »

I know That's not why I posted though. Surprised it hasn't been mentioned on the thread already.

I actually tried to PM you when I first read the book to say how much I enjoyed it but your account was closed.

Well fair play, it's much appreciated. To give PH his due kudos I got a nice letter from him after it was published. He didn't need to considering he was labelled 'obsessed'! I thought it was a classy thing to do.

Kevinmarkham

yettie1701 wrote: »

Get in there before him Kevin. Call it Hooked in the kingdom. I wonder how long it would take to play all the courses in the motherland?

His list includes 82 courses at the moment - including six of the islands (there are, conveniently, 18 Scottish islands that have a golf course). He's not walking this time, but he wants to have it done in 57 days.

Scotland has always been beyond my reach (in terms of the marriage counselling bills that would follow), but I am playing with him outside Aberdeen.

valoren

TRS30 wrote: »

Ben Hogan- An American Life by James Dodson. Very insightful on one of the greatest players of all time.

I loved the book too, particularly the early part of Hogan's life.
However, it was almost like a teaser for other player's biographies.

It's beautifully written and an engrossing read, but there's only so much material you can draw out from Hogan himself. Pretty much, practice, practice, practice, sleep, practice, practice, practice. Repeat.

I found myself wanting to know more about the Snead's, the Demaret's and the Palmers reading that book, considering Dodson used the colourful characters to flesh the book out.

yettie1701

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

His list includes 82 courses at the moment - including six of the islands (there are, conveniently, 18 Scottish islands that have a golf course). He's not walking this time, but he wants to have it done in 57 days.

Scotland has always been beyond my reach (in terms of the marriage counselling bills that would follow), but I am playing with him outside Aberdeen.

What about doing the absolute unthinkable and bringing the long haired chum with you. Or would the time spent in a camper van lead to more counselling. What course are you playing near Aberdeen. Hoping to get up that way in the next year for golf. Where would you recommend ?

Kevinmarkham

yettie1701 wrote: »

What about doing the absolute unthinkable and bringing the long haired chum with you. Or would the time spent in a camper van lead to more counselling. What course are you playing near Aberdeen. Hoping to get up that way in the next year for golf. Where would you recommend ?

The camper van is long gone. I'll keep Scotland as a future bucket list adventure.

Not sure yet what course I'm playing: Royal Aberdeen or Cruden Bay most likely. Defo not Trump's course - wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

Recommendations - two already mentioned, plus Montrose. They're all reasonably close. There's Fraserburgh too. Castle Stuart is amazing and Nairn is old school... but neither float my boat. And, quite frankly, if you're this far north and east, get to Royal Dornoch (3 hours from Aberdeen, but at the very top of my bucket list).

yettie1701

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

The camper van is long gone. I'll keep Scotland as a future bucket list adventure.

Not sure yet what course I'm playing: Royal Aberdeen or Cruden Bay most likely. Defo not Trump's course - wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

Recommendations - two already mentioned, plus Montrose. They're all reasonably close. There's Fraserburgh too. Castle Stuart is amazing and Nairn is old school... but neither float my boat. And, quite frankly, if you're this far north and east, get to Royal Dornoch (3 hours from Aberdeen, but at the very top of my bucket list).

Ta for that. Enjoy the trip Aberdeen a good spot for a few frothy ones.

Montgolfier

hrigsby2 wrote: »

Sure thing! I could give you a whole bibliography I'd bet, but some of the best in my opinion are:

- Golf Architecture in America by George Thomas
- Golf Architecture by Alister Mackenzie
- Anatomy of a Golf Course by Tom Doak
- Grounds for Golf by Geoff Shackelford

Those are some of the best, and should keep you busy for a week or two!

Thinking of buying one of these books which one of the 4 is a must read. (To help my game)

Ally McIntosh

Montgolfier,

None of those four books is essential to directly improve your game. But they are all essential to make you appreciate the game more. Which may indirectly help your game.

1. The George Thomas book (1920's) is a classic of architecture and strategy. Very hard to get hold of so you will be paying upwards of €200.
2. The MacKenzie book (1920) was a good early take on golf courses, much of which was superceded in his own book The Spirit of St Andrews
3. Doak's book is an excellent one that gets the basis of golf architecture down well.
4. Shackleford's book is probably the least technical and most romantic.

They are all based on golf courses and golf course architecture. On this subject, there are in essence 7 cornerstone books from the 1920's, 2 of which are highlighted above.