5 comments about Golf is Not a Game of Perfect.

1. This is not a book intended to teach swings, strokes, putts or the mechanics of golf.
   
   It is however a fantastic book relegated to the mental aspects of the game from our personal level. As he states, there is no magic to the common sense he applies, it is just raising our awareness of how not to beat ourselves up over the less than perfect shots.
   
   Very readable at 222 pages. We would highly recommend this book to anyone who has frustrations and wants to put the fun back into their game.
   
   I was doing some struggling but I applied what I read in the first third of the book to my rather static game , shaved 3 strokes off my next round and enjoyed the round more than any thus far this year. My wife even comented after the round about how relaxed I appeared and how well my shots looked compared to past rounds.



2. This item was as described by the seller and came within the time promised. Best of all, it was exactly the book I needed! I'd highly recommend the book to anyone struggling with their golf game.



3. Well worth the reading. Common themes that help focus on the essentials, allowing it to sink in. Most of these type of books generally raise the awareness of common sense like focus on the target, etc. This book provides good testimonials, examples, etc. to bring home the real purpose. Easy to read. Though I haven't put it to practice yet, I know it will help my game. Already picked up his other book on putting.



4. I videotaped my swing back in July and found that I had a very flat swing. I have worked on fixing that swing (and some other faults)for many hours. The more I worked, the worse I got; but even though my scores were rising, I felt that my swing improved...until I videotaped myself again. NOTHING HAD CHANGED! I really believed that my swing was better, but it was almost exactly the same.
   Years ago I was a 12HC with my lowest round being an 81. My goal,this year, was to break 80 and eventually have a single digit HC. But the harder I worked on my swing, the worse my scores. I know that changing your swing can take months of practice, but this didn't even feel right. And I sure wasn't having any fun.
   
   Then I decided to concentrate on the short game and the mental game. I read ZEN golf (in September) which was very good and when I applied the theory's, I did better. But old habits are hard to break and I fell back into working/changing my swing. Most of my scores this year were from 82-92 but I was hitting the ball inconsistently. Golf was starting to become work.
   
   Then I read "Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect". It was similar (to me) as Zen Golf but it really reinforced the mental aspects of the game. My first round after reading the book was an 84... but my swing was much better and smoother. Also, I had fun this time. I didn't worry about anything but a nice smooth swing with all my attention on the target. My irons were excellent as I placed many shots within 10-15 feet of the pin.
   
   The next round 12/28, same course, I used the same mental techniques. I didn't concern myself with the swing other than try and make it smooth and easy. I concentrated strictly on my target and visualized what I wanted to produce. I relaxed and promised myself to have fun. It was 37-40* with a 15 mph wind. I shot my best ever "76" with (3) birdies, (7) pars, (8) out of 13 fairways and (8)GIR. Also had 30 putts with a brand new (never used) putter. I even had a 35 yard chip-in.
   
   I was shocked at how well I hit the ball. One of my best shots was a 185 yard, up-hill, into the wind approach shot (5 iron) that hit the green. Again, all by concentrating strictly on the target. I dismissed all negative thoughts; as the book states, "if your last thought before you swing is 'I hope I don't hit it into the water', then you can probably bet it will go there".
   I literally let go of all other thoughts, just as the book suggests. Usually,at address, I have ten different thoughts racing through my mind, but these last two rounds, I let them all go.
   
   But the funny thing is that I didn't have to "work" at letting the thoughts go. It was if it was subliminal and automatic. But more importantly I did enjoy these last two rounds. I had no tension and didn't "fight" the course or my swing. I really did have fun.
   
   During the winter, I will re-read this book and hopefully my game will continue to improve. I am still at a 12 HC, but it had risen to 14 over the fall months due to my swing change. Still shooting for that single digit HC.
   
   This book may not be for everyone. If you have been struggling with your game you may want to give this book a chance. If you read it with an open mind and apply the principles, it may really help lower your scores. If for nothing else, it will show you how to have more fun with your game.



5. This the the one book all new golfers, and many long time golfers, should read. It is a wonderful collection of examples and reasons that we should love the GAME that golf is and not be tied up in scoring well all the time! I have given it to all of my friends as they start playing golf!

5 comments about The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever.

1. I'm fairly new into into golf(5months) and I absolutely loved this non but seemingly fiction story. Like they say, if you made it up they wouldn't believe it. Sure hope the movie is in the making.



2. This is a marvelous story by a marvelous storyteller. I'm not a golfer at all, and only a casual fan of the sport, but this book is still an extraordinary experience. I've been reading sports books for 50 years (I started with John R. Tunis and Ring Lardner) and this one ranks second only to Ball Four -- better than Heaven is a Playground or Paper Lion.



3. I bought this book for my husband. His friend suggested it and so far my husband loves it.



4. This book is a hidden gem. What a riveting account of a legendary match. Makes my Top 10 books on golf.



5. A compelling story about a Golf Match set up by 2 friends in the early days of the Crosby Clam Bake. It makes you wish you could have been there to witness
   that much talent going at it in a best ball team format. Being around golf for my entire life, I had never heard about this match. It tells a lot about the match itself and describes Golf in the days of Hogan and Nelson. The match had Nelson and Hogan playing against 2 amatuers (Venturi & Harvey Ward). A lot of pride was at stake and the writing is very well done. If you love golf and have any appreciation for the sport in that era, it is excellent.

5 comments about Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible: Master the Finesse Swing and Lower Your Score (Dave Pelz Scoring Game Series).

1. Great analytical approach; based on research and logic. Lots of tips and wonderful exercises!



2. Dave Pelz completely re-did the conventional wisdom concerning the short game. Being a scientist and a golfer, he has a unique approach to this aspect of golf. He backs up his philosophy with data not baseless opinions. If you're interested in improving your scores, give this book a read then follow up with practice.
   
   Grace and Peace,
   JRM



3. One can really get one's wedge shots closer to the hole more often using this system.



4. I purchased this book for my husband for Christmas. He is a pretty serious golfer and books I've given him in the past always seemed to collect dust. But not this one! He actually set up a practice area in the basement (we live in the northern climate zone and golf season is from April through October, at best), and has taken copious notes. He reads me quotes from the book, and has genuinely learned a lot. He is anxious to get out on the course and put all of this to the test. A great investment for a serious golfer.



5. I have great admiration for Dave Pelz and his short game teachings. The book however is a heavy read with a lot of tech stuff about the short game. If I were Dave's editor, I would blue pencil it like crazy with intentions of 1. Making it shorter 2. Making it more understandable to people like me who are not rocket scientists. If he wants to keep the tech stuff, please put it in the back chapters. As a golfer, reader and avid fan of Dave, I just really need simple, transferable ideas which I can use in my game. If they can trim this down to a third of the current number of pages, I would give it 5 stars. For now however, it remains a two star book for me

5 comments about Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game.

1. This book is just incredible!.
   Essential for those looking to improve their game through concentration and mental working.
   I haven't finished reading even the first half; I've already lowered my score by, say, 20 shots though. Honestly I'm shocked!. I mean, it's not magic, but it helps you [re]discover the magic inside of you.
   Dr. Parent has done a very good job here, I'm so greateful.



2. This book is quite unique in a sense that it doesn't teach much of your swing technique or putting skills. I'm into ZEN a lot nowadays, and I loved this book's concept pretty well. I encountered a Zen monk during my flight on the way back from Japan and ended up talking to him about this book to the Zen monk! He liked the idea, and adding that the ultimate form of "ZEN GOLF" is to think nothing when you do your swing, and it's well said indeed.



3. I really enjoyed reading this book. I practiced some of the relaxation and focus excersizes on a round of golf and it made me enjoy more the game and shoot a better score.



4. This is a great addition to the reading list for serious golfers. It deals exclusively with the mental side of the game. I found it extremely useful for helping visualize the swing and shot I am trying to hit. A good read for those who find that their mind is the greatest limit to lowering golf scores.



5. If you are having trouble with your mental focus in golf, this is the book for you. It will give you lots of tips to work thru the "issues" encountered in a friendly game of golf or your club championship tournament. I read it before any big event and it keeps me focused and in the "zone". It will remind you of why you play the game.

5 comments about Hank Haney's Essentials of the Swing: A 7-Point Plan for Building a Better Swing and Shaping Your Shots.

1. This book is very weak...the pictures are blury and all in black and white, the entire layout of the book in general is just not high quality...I think the concepts in this book will hurt more people then it will help...I guess if you teach Tiger people will like anything you do...Just my opinion, but I would not recommend this one



2. This is a great book i read it 3 times already and has improved my golf where i'm always in the 70's now.



3. Thank You Hank, With all the instruction info out there, this is a Great Book to get you back to understanding how the golf game and the golf swing is supposed to happen. Clarity is a beautiful thing. A matter of fact approach (which I love). Great stuff keep up the good work.



4. this didn't really seem all that useful if you've been playing and paying attention. was surprised.



5. 
   Still trying to find what plan Hank Haney was referring to. I had also purchased the DVD. Sold both items on eBay.
   I'll stick with David Leadbetter.

5 comments about Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff.

1. I could have saved over $1500 in doctor and physical therapy bills had I read this book after the first Dr visit. If you have shoulder pain, please don't hesitate, buy this book! I now have an immense respect for Jim Johnson.
   
   After 5 months of little progress, I finally found this book and about 6 weeks later I'm back to all my normal sports, full tilt.
   
   The research on strength building and stretching in general was mind blowing! Wow, how could this information be so hidden? Unfortunately, too many people profit from non-health.
   
   JJ will show you the absolute fastest and most efficient way to fix your shoulder. By all means, get several opinions before getting surgery. Both doctors left surgery on the table when my tear was very minor.
   
   Yes, they do not want you to read this book!
   
   Jim, if you're reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart! You are a great man.
   
   P.S. Even if you never had any back issues, buy his back book. After you build up core strength in your back (2 minutes, 3 times a week, yes, really) then you only need to do it once a week to maintain that strength. And no stretching needed. A small price to pay to avoid back pain.



2. Unlike another critical reviewer here, I think that there is great benefit to understanding how your rotator cuff works before detailing exercises for strengthening it. To this aim, Wikipedia can help greatly. If you can't seem to grasp the information on Wikipedia, maybe this book would be a good bet.
   
   However, I, for one, didn't care for having to sort through pages substance-anemic content to cherry-pick the useful bits; it took me a day to review what I should have been able to glean in one hour.
   
   For example, do I need, in my book on rotator cuffs, to read three pages about how a randomized controlled trial works? IF I don't already know, then I can look it up. Or put it in a glossary; that's what glossaries are for. Do I need to read wordy, precise details of each study? Cite the study, describe the outcome, and be done with it. _Maybe_ put the details in an appendix; either way, I can look it up later if I like. Do I need constant repetition, reminding, and teaching that appears to be geared toward a child? If you read each of these critiques thinking, "that's exactly what I need!" then you won't be disappointed.
   
   "Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff" is not a cheap book, and there honestly isn't a whole lot of content. It _does_ contain some useful information, but getting to this information with the limited table of contents, without section references, with no table of diagrams, with random pointless tangents, and with NO INDEX, can be frustrating.



3. I BOUGHT THIS TO HELP ME WITH SHOULDER PAIN FROM TOO MUCH SQUASH THE BOOK IS FULL OF GREAT EXERCISES AND I WAS ENCOUAGED TO USE IT MORE AND MORE WITH THE EXERCISES AND SOME MASSAGE THERAPY I WAS BACK ON THE SQUASH COURT WITHIN 8 WEEKS I FOUND IT EASY TO READ AND VERY HELPFUL I SUGGEST ANYONE WHO USES IT WITH MASSAGE THERAPY WILL HAVE POSITIVE RESULTS



4. This book gives great insight as to the working of the shoulder,as well as all of the connecting tissues. This is not written on such a level that you will not understand the text, it is clear cut with direct ideas, that will save you having to go to a rehab center and pay big bucks to learn. I would suggest buying this book if you ever had a shoulder injury.



5. A thousand thank yous to Mr. Johnson for being one of the very few self-help-book authors to base all of his recommendations on well-designed scientific studies. On this point alone, Mr. Johnson's book stands head-and-shoulders above nearly all others of its ilk. A job very-well done!
   The next reason that I really like this book is that it only takes a few minutes per day to do the exercises. Yes, folks, rehabilitating your shoulders can really be done without needing to place the rest of your life on hold to make time for endless physical-therapy visits and countless mind-numbingly-boring exercises. While the exercises are still mind-numbingly-boring, you can finish them up well before your favorite news program has finished its coverage of the war in Afghanistan and moved on to the war in Iraq!
   And are the exercises in the book effective? I have to admit that as soon as I realized that they were based on actual scientific evidence, my placebo response went into full swing, and my shoulders felt better before I had even started the exercises!
   However, I've now been doing the exercises for around three months, long-enough for the placebo response to wear off, and my shoulders have definitely improved. The trick for me is to be consistent and do the exercises as specified. I found that it helped to read the book a second time, because I had missed and forgotten important details.
   I highly recommend this book!

5 comments about Finding Your Zone: Ten Core Lessons for Achieving Peak Performance in Sports and Life.

1. As a professional artist and teacher I found Mike Lardon's book both inspirational and very helpful in getting into that most important zone while painting. It also gave me insight into how to relax before an audience. It changed my approach to many aspects of my life.
   Grace Schlesier



2. This book is not the best on the subject. Of the four sports psychology books I have read all of them contain similar ideas. Readers respond differently to how those ideas are communicated. One style might work better than another. With that said, I did not find this book to be a good match for me. The perspective presented felt more academic and theoretical. Getting in the zone is a systematic process that can be applied over and over with a small amount of well focused effort. This book seemed to complicate that process. Obviously some people liked this book so it might work for you but I would recommend With Winning In Mind for its simplicity and razor sharp focus on the most critical elements of finding and maintaining peak performance.



3. Good gift for an athlete.Finding Your Zone: Ten Core Lessons for Achieving Peak Performance in Sports and Life



4. Interesting perspective on key elements that seperate good atheletes from great ones. A great read to expand your game in mental aspects. Concise and to the point.



5. This book is easy to read. It lays out what needs to be done to get into the optimal state of mind in which to do your best. Michael Lardon uses concise examples to illustrate his points, which seem to be:
   * Trust and believe in your dreams;
   * Prepare fully (practise a lot);
   * Transform desire (expressed through dreams) into will (by harnessing direction and goals to desire);
   * Keep everything as simple as possible;
   * Focus on process not product goals (avoid "monkey mind" where there is a lot of distraction and not much directed effort);
   * Approach emotions from different perspectives to keep things in context ("know-mind awareness);
   * Be intrinsically motivated, with extrinsic (especially material) motivation only to supplement the 'pure' intrinsic motivation;
   * Take action;
   * Build self-confidence by a) looking to what you've done well before, b) seeing yourself do what others are doing, c) modelling behaviours of others, and d) accepting the faith others express in you.
   
   I found the book enjoyable and intriguing, but to me it just hints at what to do to achieve the zone. This is a 162 page essay about what Lardon has observed is common to those who can get into the zone, not how to get there.
   
   For a complemntary book that is essentially the equivalent of a gym programme for the mind, I recommend "10 Minute Toughness: The mental training programe for winning before the game begins" by Jason Selk.

5 comments about Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf.

1. When I went to my first pro, he mentioned this book, and I've found it to be my best guide to learning the swing. I also recommend Tour Tempo: Golf's Last Secret Finally Revealed and Swing Like a Pro, and, of course, many of the instructional videos on YouTube. Hogan's lessons, probably like all the swing examples you're going to come across, are deceptively simple. At the end, he tells you that you can learn the fundamentals in about 6 months. Well, I've been working on them for three years, and it's just in the last couple of weeks that I've felt that I really have the basic essentials of a decent swing. Hogan also says, early in the book, that the average person who learns the fundamentals that he teaches in his five lessons can then go and break 80. It seemed like a stretch to me when I first read that, but I believed him. Now, I'm quite sure he's right. I feel as though I'll be able to shoot in the 70's this coming season, and this wouldn't be a prospect at all without Hogan's book. If you're serious about learning the proper swing and willing to do all the arduous practice, you have to read and study this book. It took me a long time to understand fully many of his teaching points. He's so clear that I thought I understood, but I really didn't, not until I had put in months and months (totalling, now, three years) of practice. I consider myself a slow learner, with no aptitude at all for this game, or any other game that requires good coordination. So most people can probably learn what he teaches in about the six months he says it takes, if you practice seriously.



2. This book is absolutely great. Things that Hogan has discovered a half a century (and more) ago are still very valid. This book has offered me more explanations on the fundaments of golf than eny other golf pro, magazine or video I've bumped into. Hogan explains things very clearly and makes good arguments on what should be done and what leads to different kind of solutions. A must buy for all golfers. Amen.



3. Why didn't I start with this book 3 years ago? I would have saved myself so many headaches. Book is worth every cent if just for the first chapter on GRIP, which is infintely better at describing a correct grip than any other text, photos or images I've seen in books, videos, the web. Mr. Hogan, somehow, knows exactly the correct words to use to describe 'feelings' and pressure points... it goes on to the full swing from there. He is VERY detailed in his descriptions, yet manages to convey the images and positions with words the first time you read it (unlike any other golf texts I've come across... you know, the ones where you have to read them a few times and struggle to figure out what, exactly, the person is trying to describe).
   
   A must read, don't wait.



4. I found the book to be very helpfull, the price was right and the shipping was ontime.
   I am a beginner and find it confusing to have so many differant view points on golf.In every direction you turn. Ben hogans teachings are of the basic fundamentals and start off right from the grip to the stance.I believe when you are talented and practise 8 hours a day there is almost no right or wrong in any sport. Just look at (Charles Barkley)
   This book gets some of the real basic fundamentals for the rest of us on the right track. And when I have a chance I need to buy another because I spilled coffee on mine :)



5. Fast easy reading. Great instructions and insights into the game of golf from one of the greatest.

5 comments about Mind Gym : An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence.

1. This book includes many of the basic mental concepts discussed in sports: staying positive, etc. Although there were some helpful tips, it was a task to sort through the excessive name dropping. As an athlete, I don't need to know the names of everyone the author has ever helped. I assume, since I am buying and reading the book, that I will at least somewhat trust what is being said and that I will be willing to try it myself. If you need the 150/224 pages of professional athlete anecdotes, then this book is for you. If, like most athletes, you don't have time to sit and read fluff, find another book.



2. I am an 1,90 and 120kg marathon runner. When I announced that I intend to run a marathon the reactions varied from amusement to worry that I will not survive. That might have been the case if I wouldn't have had THIS book. It made all the difference in the world. Maybe half of the training time was "mind gym".
   The result? Not only I have finished alive but I made quite a good time (3h44). This performance changed not my weight (I am still 120kg) but my self-image. I know now that the only limits are in my head. I changed. A lot. From the introvertit obese to the cocky, confident obese :) I fired my boss. Actually, the company fired him for mobbing. I got a fat settlement. I switched careers. I took one sabbatical year and focused on learning trading. Here, again, the "Mind gym" made a huge difference. I become profitable and then ... very profitable. I don't own a Porsche but I am free (of worries, schedules, bosses)
   
   If you intend to buy only one book for the next year: BUY THIS ONE !!



3. Pretty good book if you need some general motivation... The author knows the topic and gives some good examples, but doesn't really get into specific actions to help resolve issues. Also, alot of baseball and golf examples, I found it hard to relate it to the sports I am involved in. Tons of great quotes, etc to get you amped.



4. This book is tough to review because people have different expectations with sport psychology books. If you are looking for a neatly organized system of beliefs, principles, and exercises to begin applying to your game tomorrow this might not be the book for you. Maybe you should check out With Winning In Mind or 10-Minute Mental Toughness? With that said, I loved this book. Once you start it you might not be able to put it down. Its a motivational book that weaves sports psychology principles into stories to illustrate the importance of each principle. This book inspired me to write down an effective system of beliefs and checklists I can go through before a game. The important part is the system and beliefs are mine.



5. This book was recommended to me get over issues I had playing racquetball. I kept making mental mistakes and things got worse as the match progressed. This book has taught me how to stay focus and keep moving forward. My game has improved quite a bit and I have beaten players that I have never beaten before. When things go wrong I use the techniques in this book. I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs to take the next step. This is one of those books that you will read more than once and make notes of certain chapters.

5 comments about The Stack and Tilt Swing: The Definitive Guide to the Swing That Is Remaking Golf.

1. I was excited about this new book on teaching how to play the game of golf and found it to be an excellent book. Very well researched and definitely breaking new territory in golf instruction. If one can apply its teachings from reading the book, they deserve a gold star. It is a challenging read. It is a difficult read to understand but, I believe, even more difficult to apply. It will need to be kept for future reference as one applies its methods in practice and play. So don't loan it out to your buddy because you'll need to have it handy as you put its methods to the test.
   
   I do believe in what the authors are teaching and how they are teaching what they have discovered. It is a quality product and generally well done, however, I believe that in future revisions the authors need to use many more visuals to clarify the points they are trying to convey to the reader.
   
   I'm pleased that I purchased it and would do it again and am looking forward to trying to apply, on my own, what they have discovered about the correct swing.



2. The book is well written, and brings out excellent arguments that conventionally taught techniques are mastered by only a select few. The general player needs a technique that is simpler to execute; something that you do not have to practice EVERY day.
   Transition to try the swing was relatively easy. After a few buckets of balls on the range, I consistently hit the club head sweet spot and have better directional control. This swing is not a distance master, but shot consistency lowers you score faster than distance. I did not sacrifice distance, but do not expect extra distance. The swing works best on irons and hybrids with some adaptation and practice required on the driver and 3 wood.
   After reading the book, and practicing with the swing, I will keep this new style. I also see many of the moves taught while watching pros on TV - look for the dipping left shoulder and straight right leg - it's on TV, but not taught.
   Overall, I think the authors are correct in their teachings and these changes will improve your swing. Some of the full swing basics resemble what Dave Pelz teaches in the "Short Game Bible", and recall the foundation of a good short game is solid repeatable contact. Give the technique a try: the switch is easy, and I suspect you could go back to conventional methods without undoing bad habits.
   A second benefit is the swing removes all stress from your right leg, and will help any right knee and hip ailments in right handed golfers.
   The only downside is you may have difficulty finding a pro teacher for help: be prepared to study the book and solve your own problems. After all, self help is required to develop a good game so this is a good place to start.



3. The book describes a different golf swing and can help folks have more fun with the game.



4. I am a 7-9 handicap golfer who switched to the stack and tilt method about 1-2 years ago. I am tall 6'4", so anything that reduced lateral sway is probably good for me. Ball stiking is much better and misses are not as severe for me with this method. The book does a better job of explaining the geometry than the dvds in my opinion. I really now understand what I am trying to do as well as what I did wrong on my misses. I also really like the idea of developing a shot cone which is explained in the book. Last year I was able to shoot par for one round which was very exciting. I hope to do even better this year with increased understanding and more practice with the method. Great scores usually come from making lots of 6-10 foot putts. Good luck guys, BC



5. The swing was found to be not suited for me. I was not striking the ball any better.