Golf instruction review from written books

On this page are golf instruction review for some of the all-time great golf books.

Here is the list of some of the golf books I've read and my golf instruction review of them. At the end of each, I give my rating based on the value to the average golfer from 1 to 10 with 10 being the best


I would love it if you would send in your own review for posting on this site. Try to name the valuable golf instruction that we take from the book you review and the rating from 1 to 10. Use the contact form at the bottom of the page. Let me know if you want your name or just initials as a credit for your review on this site. Also, include the city, state or country you're from and let's watch this page grow.... Craig. Kjell Enhager. Quantum Golf. Warner Books (1992)

If you've never heard of quantum physics before, it's the study of subatomic particles. This author brings this science into the realm of golf. Kind of hard to follow at times unless you're really into quantum physics like I am. It's about a wise older golf instructor who takes a typical high-strung business type and turns him into a golfer who trusts his swing. Some may find this book a little too deep but I loved it! Golf instruction review rating: 6

Gallwey, W. Timothy . The Inner Game of Golf-Rev. Random House (1998) So far, this is my favorite golf mental book by far. Gallwey was originally a tennis pro and instructor. He wrote Inner Tennis first based on his studies and experiments in teaching the mental game of tennis. He then challenged himself to become a 70's shooting golfer using the Inner Game principles he developed from tennis. He gave himself a year with no more than 1 hour of practice a week and didn't take any lessons. There are some serious techniques in this book that you can put into practice on your next round that can have dramatic effects as I have experienced myself. The main golf instruction here is that our head can accomplish amazing things if we take control of it. Golf instruction review rating: 10.

Larry Miller. Holographic Golf. Pelican Publishing Co. (2000)
My golf instruction review: This is my favorite "physical game" book. Until I read this, I was so confused by the avalanche of books, articles in magazines, videos, etc. on how to get the perfect swing. It seems that the whole world of golf is focused on this aspect of the game and there is so much contradictory opinion on it that I just didn't know what to use for my game. Then I read this book and it gives you a solid foundation for building your own swing that is so simple that you just won't believe it until you try it. I talk about this in "without practice". Larry Miller is my golf swing hero!Golf instruction review rating: 8.

Dave Pelz. Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible. Doubleday (1999)
Are you of the same opinion that I was about what is the most important part of the golf game for scoring low. You think it's putting right? Think again. Pelz is a golf researcher of the scientific sort. His previous career was as a physicist and NASA researcher prior to creating his golf company from scratch by following around pros for years recording statistics of their various shots. His conclusions from years of these studies are in this book with detailed instructions on how you can capitalize it. Prior to reading this book, I used to "feel" for distance on those dreaded half-swing pitches. Hah, not any more. Golf instruction review: eye opening stats and facts about the short game that should change the way you build your game. Golf instruction review rating: 8.

Nicklaus, Jack . My most memorable shots in the majors.Times Books; (1988) Historically accurate accounting of golf plays/shots in major tournaments that Jack Nicklaus has accomplished and failed at during his long career. It is broken down, hole by hole with a section for each on the lessons he learned from that shot. This book can give you an inside line to what a champion is doing and thinking during top competitions and can give you their perspective to make your watching the pros on TV a little more interesting. Each chapter is a golf lesson in itself. Get inside the head of the best golfer of all time. Golf instruction review rating: 5. For the scratch golfer:9

Anthony, Michael . The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf TMK press (2001) This book is a complete "system" for mental management. Review: What I liked about it most is that it is heavy on the science and light on the fluff. Step by step process that is spelled out and even diagrammed pictorally for clarification and understanding. Anthony borrows from the classic "Golf in the Kingdom" for support of many of his science-based conclusions. I also like the golf instruction on controlling our emotions and why we do what we do. It's written in very understandable terms. This is a "must-have" book for any golfer. You can also request your copy be signed by the author himself as I did when you order direct from his site. Golf instruction review rating: 10.

Dave Pelz. Dave Pelz's Putting Bible. Doubleday (2000)If you are a really analytical person, then this book is for you. Pelz dissects everything that can be looked at in the putting game. Only problem is that it could hurt some players that are pretty decent putters by taking them away from what makes them successful on the greens. Good for tinkerers. Golf instruction review rating: 6.

Crenshaw, Ben . A feel for the game. Broadway (2002) Crenshaw is know to be a "feel" player as opposed to a mechanics player, thus the title. Review: If Ben Crenshaw is your favorite golfer and you are interested in stories from one of the good guys on the tour, then this is a good book for you. I can't really say I learned a whole lot but I take something from every book I read. I think each person will take something different from this book as it appeals more to the person than the golfer. The golf instruction here is how to be and trust yourself. Golf instruction review rating: 5.

Parent, Dr. Joseph . Zen Golf. Doubleday (2002) This is one of my latest golf book readings. I read it after I read some of the other more detailed books on the mental golf game. It is a good summary of most of the mental things that the pros and other successful golfers do these days. According to the book jacket, Dr. Parent has taught Buddhist philosophy and this comes through in the book as analogies and stories about Zen masters, warriors and Shambhala. Instruction review: If you think a little mystical, magical theme in your golf lessons can help you, then this book provides. This philosophy isn't really my cup of tea as I lean toward science and so I skimmed through these parts to get to the meat of the mental game techniques he teaches. I will say that he covers more items than the average golfer will realistically put into practice. I didn't really hit on anything I could grab onto or excited me so if you are only going to buy one book on basics of the mental game, this wouldn't be it.Golf instruction review rating: 4.

Al Geiberger. Tempo. Golf Digest (1992)

Geiberger was the first to shoot a 59 in PGA tournament. His nickname was "skippy" on tour as he was always eating peanut butter sandwiches. He was known for having awesome tempo and rhythm. If you have trouble with that area and just can't find a smooth swing, then yes, you can benefit from soaking up his words into your unconscious. Basic principle of NLP is to model those who are good at what you want to be good at. Golf instruction review rating: 6.

Couples, Fred . Total Shot making. HarperCollins (1995) I was most interested in this book to learn about Fred Couples and how he has become to be known as a laid back, easygoing golfer and how that translated to his successes. I got what I wanted for that purpose but had to consciously ignore a lot of the "shotmaking". There is just no way that I was going to play around with what I call "trick shots". My M.O. from all other teachings has been to play conservatively at all times and this has served me well. Learn from this book how to "let go" of things that only hurt your game.Golf instruction review rating: 5. For scratch players: 7

Rotella, Dr. Bob . Golf is not a game of perfect. Simon & Schuster (1995) Rotella, Dr. Bob . Golf is a game of confidence. . Simon & Schuster (1996)

If you're going to read one, you should read them both. Rotella is the guru of gurus of the mental game of golf on tour. He has so much experience to transfer to your brain from his years of working with pros and some average joes. He accomplishes this in these books with actual stories with actual names and situations and how he and the golfer worked together to conquer their problem or goals. That got a little tedious at times. Rotella constantly refers to his "Rotella's rules" which I liked as they can all fit on a 3x5 index card if you want to boil the basics of the mental game down to a cheat sheet that you can bring with you to the course as a reminder. Load of mental golf lessons here. Golf instruction review rating: 8.

Woods, Tiger . How I play golf. Warner Books (2001) I think the most surprising thing about this book for me was that Tiger spends a lot of ink and paper on his physical regimen including details about his exercise/workout program and how he eats and drinks. There's more about what kinds of things he puts in his bag. There are so many unheard of lessons in this book. I now think that one of the big reasons Tiger is head and shoulders above the crowd is because he pays so much attention to detail, without fail. I was fully expecting a book like Jack Nicklaus puts out with loads of golf situations and how he mentally and physically tackled them. Tiger has some of that but it isn't the thrust of the book. I also came away from this book with a better understanding of Tiger as a person which is nice to have when watching him on TV in a major. He seems to be quite humble at times but with a determination that never quits. You'll learn a few of his trademark shots from this book as well. If he wasn't one of the greatest golfers, it wouldn't have been so interesting, however. Because he is, it is. Golf instruction review rating: 7.

Col. Edward L. Hubbard. Escape from the box. The wonder of human potential Praxis Intl (1994) To describe this book in one word: WOW! No specific golf instruction to review here but this book will make your head spin and give you confidence for anything you want to do. I happened upon a seminar given by Col. Hubbard in 2003. He gave a one-hour speech on human potential. His speech and his book are told in a manner that is really down-to-earth and matter-of-fact. No rah-rah or hype. He's different than other motivational types that way but that style gives him incredible believability. You won't believe some of the things he tells about in this book that happened to him during his imprisonment in Vietnam. If you believe him, you'll also believe you too can accomplish extraordinary things. I do now. The golf lesson to get from this book is: Ordinary people have extraordinary potential. Golf instruction review rating: 7.

Irwin, Hale. Smart Golf. Harper Resource (2001) If you didn't know, Hale Irwin is famous for winning tournaments without being blessed with unusual skill or talent like say Tiger Woods. He has always been an average or shorter driver and never been at the top of many statistic lists except for the MONEY lists! This book basically tells you all of things you need to do that you currently have a difficult time of doing when you're out on the course. Golf instruction review: for this book is: play conservatively and you will lower your score. He shows you how in all sorts of situations. If you are a hard-charging, high-flying golfer who likes to "go for it", this is a must read book. You'll be surprised how much strategy he packs in this book. Golf instruction review rating: 8.

Player, Gary. Golf begins at 50. Simon & Schuster (1988) Don't be fooled by the title. Yes, it has a lot of tips for the senior golfer. But it also has a lot of basics that Gary says all golfers need to pay more attention to. The most interesting part of this book that I haven't read anywhere else is his instructions for changing your swing from the square-to-square or "young man's swing." He says that that swing will destroy your back. He has an alternative that is based on many of the golfers of the first half of the century. He also has sections on fitness and nutrition, no surprise there. Golf instruction review: If you are worried about or have back trouble and want to continue to play for a long time, read this book. Golf instruction review rating: 6.

Jim Mclean. Golf Digest's book of drills. Pocket Books (1990) This one has been out for awhile but the content is still as good as ever. I really like drills for the busy person because you can do them at home or anywhere. Mclean is widely known as one of the top teachers in the country so you gotta give him his credentialed due. Very useful swing drills to work on specific areas where the golfer is weak. Golf instruction review rating: 8.

Raymond Floyd. The Elements of Scoring. Simon & Schuster (2000) Floyd says that if you compete against a golfer with the exact skill as you, you will win EVERY TIME if you know the concepts of SCORING. Too many golfers, he says are too wound up in how to swing, how to look pretty, etc. The book is similar to Irwin's "Smart Golf" but a little more valuable to the average golfer. This should be in every golfer's library and it's very cheap to buy. Golf instruction review rating: 8 (for the cost/value it's a 10!

More books and tapes I've read,listened to and used for my program Break 80 without practice look for review soon: