Not all of them are current, in fact, many are quite old. all of them, however, remain relevant and useful to this day. are some of the most classic and popular golf books.
the 6 best golf books
In the first chapter, hogan starts right there, with the grab. as he says, the only contact he has with the ball is through the clubhead, up the shaft and into the hands.
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therefore, grip is critical to the feel, control and outcome of any shot. he always noticed the grip of other players, for example, “walter hagen had a beautiful grip, delicate but powerful as if his hands were designed to hold a stick.”
The overlay grip has been with us for a long time and nothing better has come along. the hands have to work as a single unit to get the best possible result. you cannot allow the stronger hand, say the right hand if you are right handed, to take control or dominate the downswing.
To ensure this unity of the hands there is a correct way to place the stick first in the left hand and then bring the right hand back and forth.
all of this is perfectly illustrated and explained, step by step, almost as if you were getting a one-on-one training lesson from the man himself.
There is a beautiful description of how the power generated by the body is transferred through the arms to the shaft and clubhead, much like the game of cracking the whip that children play in which the end of the whip moves to the maximum. speed.
Developments in the modern game focus on team and mental focus, but fundamentals, as presented by hogan, are the building blocks of a solid game.
This book explains fundamentals that are still valid and have stood the test of time. there are many positive comments from those who have applied the lessons. on the downside, it only covers tee to green and doesn’t give distance advice.
arnie’s father was the greenkeeper and later professional resident at latrobe country club in pennsylvania. When he was three years old, his father taught him how to hold a club, how to stand up, and how to swing.
He also instilled in him how to be a good athlete, and thus a legend is born. he credits his father’s “paps” with having the most influence in his life even though he was a tough taskmaster who paid few compliments.
Arnold won seven majors, the masters four times, the us open once and the (british) open twice, but he failed to make it to the grand slam because he was never able to win the pga.
He was runner-up in this event three times and ten times overall in all majors. he ranks the most memorable round of his though in what he considered his home, latrobe cc, when he scored 60.
Arnold was always available to autograph hunters and made sure his signature was legible. he chided younger professionals who left what he called a “chicken scratch” that no one could read and would soon be forgotten.
he played his golf boldly, charging down the fairway and attacking the green. he was famously quoted as saying, “I’d rather get hit by an express train than come up short on a putt.”
In his business life, he was equally driven, but still highly valued civility and trust. many deals were sealed with a simple handshake. therein lies the beautiful story of the logo. he and his partners were agonizing over a logo and they flopped a couple of ideas because some ideas were too mundane and others were already trademarked.
Arnold left the meeting to clear his head, it was raining and he noticed a lady getting out of a car and opening her umbrella. Thus, the four-panel open umbrella logo that appears on all Ape, Arnold Palmer Enterprises products has become known throughout the world. His business interests included golf course design and consulting, co-founding the Golf Channel, and his charitable work with children and hospitals.
arnie loved to fly and probably would have been an airplane pilot if he hadn’t had a career in golf.
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The book is divided into three sections dealing with golf, family, and business, and is written in such a colloquial manner that the reader almost feels as if they are having a one-on-one conversation with the man himself.
the commemorative edition includes a foreword by jack nicklaus.
harvey likes to teach with images, metaphors and parables that plant a seed in the mind and become good shots. The book is filled with observations and impressions she gained from the greats like Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, and many others. there are many stories and anecdotes that provide interesting insight into the history and growth of the game and the characters.
penick explains in his book how he never let anyone read his little red book except his son tinsley, who was a good teacher in his own right and could benefit from dad’s expertise. he was often asked to write a book, or to have someone help him do it, but he always refused.
at the end of his life, confined to a wheelchair, his nurse would take him out to the course in her golf cart for an hour or two, and invariably someone would come and ask for advice or a little coaching.
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on one of those occasions, he was sitting there wondering if maybe he was being selfish and it just so happened that an old friend bud shrank came over and shared the golf cart with him. the bubble burst, he opened his briefcase, took out the red folder, and the book was born.
some of his favorite sayings were, “swing the club like a weed weed”, or “pick a club, say a 7 iron, and love it like love”, and most famously, “take aim”.
Probably the most popular and best-selling book on golf instruction, although some think Hogan’s book is better and others think Harvey tends to repeat himself a bit.
Most people would have a mental image of what a good golfer with potential should look like. he would be young, slim, tall, and move with the grace of a gazelle. he would have been above average in any sport he tried in school and would probably be strong enough to hit the ball a mile.
This might be enough to make you a good golfer, but it doesn’t show real potential. there are many good golfers on the circuit, making a good living, who have never won a major tournament.
So what does it take to unleash true potential, trade the good for the great, and become a champion?
You are also exposed to the life of the caddies. they are another source of stories and anecdotes and some pretty crazy experiences. has discussions with officials and various attendees to get a general picture of golf in the fast-growing new professional era.
On the course, George has his ups and downs. Playing off an 18 handicap, he is often found apologizing to his fellow players. Along the way, he gets to experience his and others’ emotions and frustrations, his victories, and sometimes moments of humility.
Jumped into the mix is a lot of superstition, golf lore, shot avoidance tips, swing theory and shooting techniques that stretch from tee to green.
off the field and on the road, watch the added frustration of travel, cost, living out of a suitcase, doing laundry, making reservations, keeping in touch with family, and the challenges mount.
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If this all sounds pretty serious, don’t be fooled. Plimpton writes in his own inimitable style and many of the stories are quite funny, if not hilarious. one such story involves two golfers traveling cross country and the passenger has a driver on hand. when they come to a crossroads he likes to get out and take a few hits. on one occasion, the driver did not notice the missing passenger for a certain distance before reversing.
george plimpton is also known for his forays into professional football as a preseason backup quarterback for the detroit lions in his book paper tiger. out of my league, he’s pitching in a major league exhibition game. he has also trained with renowned boxers, played hockey, played in a symphony orchestra and starred in a movie.
Although this book might be testing sports psychology, it is rated as the wittiest book on golf and Plimpton’s style is described as elegant and effortless like an Arnold Palmer iron shot. another reviewer called it a book about a kind of madness without rules.
the general consensus is that it’s a good must-read, even if you don’t know golf.
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His biggest fear is hitting a punch so wild that it completely ruins the round, “the big miss.” Away from the field, the tiger can be somewhat aloof, disconnected, unempathic, and emotionally “blank,” according to some.
The opening chapter of the book offers a fascinating insight into the trainer’s ability to read his charge. the setting is the final round of the 2010 masters in augusta. woods is 4 behind leader lee westwood and 3 behind phil mickelson.
He walks over to the practice field and goes to the other end. the crowd follows him as usual, but this time there are not only supporters but also those who want to see what the recent past has done to him. woods just went through a very public exposure and a scandal of his private life.
He’s also recently returned from a six-week self-examination program that was brutal, and no man has ever sunk so low so quickly. the coach is also amazed and concerned that the warm-up is not looking good. the normal sharpness and sparkle is not there, it is as if the tiger is not in focus, does not make eye contact and does not follow the normal routine. he should be at his best. that is what he lives and works for, where he can display his superior talent, his ability to “hyper-focus”. being mentally “bulletproof” is his great advantage over the other players.
at the end of the chapter, says haney, “life is about loss. he has become less of a golfer and will never be the same again.” Was this perhaps the grand miss?
phil mickelson won that event and it wasn’t until 2019 when woods won a major again, and it happened to be the masters.
A fascinating insight into the psyche of one of the most talented athletes and golfers of our time. a must read.
frequently asked questions
what is the best golf book to buy?
ben hogan’s five lessons teach the modern fundamentals of golf. Hogan is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. His timeless instruction book “is packed with content and illustrations that are easy to read and understand.” it is as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1953.
The book follows Hogan’s belief that any golfer can break 80 with a consistent swing. Chapters cover grip, stance, stance, backswing, and downswing with detailed illustrations and analysis. emphasis is placed on the grip as a fundamental requirement to achieve a consistent and successful swing.
also highlights the role of the body in generating maximum power and the role of a strong mental focus in achieving success in golf.
what is the best selling golf book of all time?
According to Golf & PGA Monthly, the best-selling golf book of all time is The Little Red Book of Golf: The Lessons and Teachings of a Lifetime in Golf were co-written by Harvey Penick and Bud Shrake.
In this book, Harvey shares his thoughts on teaching golf, building on his fifty years as head coach at the Austin Country Club.
do golf books help?
Golf books can provide a lot of guidance on the mechanics of the golf swing. This can help you build a basic swing from where you can improve with the help of a PGA teaching professional. a professional will allow you to modify your swing to achieve the best results.
Can you learn golf with a book?
You can learn from the best golf books about swing mechanics, how to putt, and even how to become mentally tougher to give yourself a competitive advantage over your fellow players.
conclusion
We examine some of the best golf books to read covering a wide range of topics including instruction, the mind game, and the life experiences of various golfers.
Arnold Palmer’s Life Is Well Played: My stories provide insight into his private life, golf career, and business acumen.
Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime in Golf is considered the best-selling golf book of all time with information gleaned from 50 years as a head coach.
The Five Lessons of Ben Hogan is considered one of the greatest instructional books of all time that is just as relevant today as when it was first published. this is also our top pick for the best golf book in review.
If you want to improve your golf, you may also be interested in the best online golf lessons.