If you don't know the difference between a lob wedge and a lemon wedge, check out Golf for Dummies, by US TV commentator Gary McCord, one of the American game's most colourful--and knowledgeable--characters. It's a wonderful, often hilarious, never boring introduction to the game. Don't let the foreword by Kevin Costner or the afterword by Hootie and the Blowfish confuse the issue; this is a terrifically sound, easy-to-follow primer. McCord's crisp drill--yes, crisp drill--will revolutionise your swing, and your thinking, with overtones that could spill directly into off-the-course existence, as well.

Help full book even for a dummy, 17 May 2007
I have read several of the for dummies books and they have all been very good. But this one i thought was very good the author is quite funny which is refreshing, plus it really did improve my game. But another great place for golf advice and tips is www.advice4men.co.uk check it out help me a lot.

A Decent Introduction For The Beginner, 30 Jun 2006
As a relatively new golfer I found this book a good introduction to the game. The authors humour throughout makes the book comfortable reading. There were chapters I skipped (Top 10 woman golfers for instance) while others made great reading (rules of the game for instance). Some of the chapters about improving your play are chapters I'll come back to later.

Overall a decent introduction to the game. 8/10.

A big disappointment., 12 Aug 1999
I was expecting a book with good helpful tips for learning how to play this game. I tired of reading about all the tournaments the author had been in or who he knew in the golf world. Half the book was wasted on golf information that have no place in an instructional manual. Some factoids were interesting, most were trivia. A big disappointment--I would not recommend it to the beginning golfer. Most of the book is a waste of time.

Full of 'Tips and Quips'. I just can't put it down., 21 Jun 1999
As someone who is new to golf I need all the help I can get. I found the text very informative and easy to follow. The author's sense of humour make the read all the more enjoyable and he certainly doesn't mind admitting his own mistakes as an aid to help others learn.

Following the exercises and instructions in the book has helped me a lot and I can now hit the ball almost every time (getting it to go in the right place may take a little longer). The photos demonstrating the techniques are okay but would be better if they were perhaps in colour and some could be slightly larger (mind you this would probably put the cost up). Other than that I can't find any fault with the book at all.

I would reccommend this book to anyone (I have already) who wishes to improve their game. It addresses all the areas I need to cover and keeps me laughing when my entire game is falling apart.

The greatest golf book for everyone, 08 Jun 1999
This is the best golf book I've ever read. The author did a great job to help me find my weak points and adjust my posture of swing. Now I can swing much better. I also like the author's sense of humor. The best thing I found in this book is that what the author suggested are really work!

Help full book even for a dummy, 17 May 2007
I have read several of the for dummies books and they have all been very good. But this one i thought was very good the author is quite funny which is refreshing, plus it really did improve my game. But another great place for golf advice and tips is www.advice4men.co.uk check it out help me a lot.

A Decent Introduction For The Beginner, 30 Jun 2006
As a relatively new golfer I found this book a good introduction to the game. The authors humour throughout makes the book comfortable reading. There were chapters I skipped (Top 10 woman golfers for instance) while others made great reading (rules of the game for instance). Some of the chapters about improving your play are chapters I'll come back to later.

Overall a decent introduction to the game. 8/10.

A big disappointment., 12 Aug 1999
I was expecting a book with good helpful tips for learning how to play this game. I tired of reading about all the tournaments the author had been in or who he knew in the golf world. Half the book was wasted on golf information that have no place in an instructional manual. Some factoids were interesting, most were trivia. A big disappointment--I would not recommend it to the beginning golfer. Most of the book is a waste of time.

Full of 'Tips and Quips'. I just can't put it down., 21 Jun 1999
As someone who is new to golf I need all the help I can get. I found the text very informative and easy to follow. The author's sense of humour make the read all the more enjoyable and he certainly doesn't mind admitting his own mistakes as an aid to help others learn.

Following the exercises and instructions in the book has helped me a lot and I can now hit the ball almost every time (getting it to go in the right place may take a little longer). The photos demonstrating the techniques are okay but would be better if they were perhaps in colour and some could be slightly larger (mind you this would probably put the cost up). Other than that I can't find any fault with the book at all.

I would reccommend this book to anyone (I have already) who wishes to improve their game. It addresses all the areas I need to cover and keeps me laughing when my entire game is falling apart.

The greatest golf book for everyone, 08 Jun 1999
This is the best golf book I've ever read. The author did a great job to help me find my weak points and adjust my posture of swing. Now I can swing much better. I also like the author's sense of humor. The best thing I found in this book is that what the author suggested are really work!

Good fun, 26 Oct 2008
This book is great fun, and a nice read for a cold autumn evening, while you're enjoying your cognac.
It's an advantage if you know a lot about The European Tour. But as a golf fan, you probably do!

A different view of the PGA tour, 20 Dec 2007
A quirky and sometimes funny story about the other side of the PGA tour from the view of a caddy. The author captures the life of someone who has worked with some of the best golfers ever to walk the fairways in a way that shows the highs and lows of life on tour as a caddy. From the humour of the tricks that caddies play on each other to the seriousness of having your livelihood curtailed through a simple accident. A good read.

No athlete has changed his sport the way Tiger Woods has transformed the world of golf. The Tiger phenomenon has created a new legion of golfers, seduced by Woods' almost effortless mastery of this most difficult game. In How I Play Golf Woods reveals the many facets of his game and offers a plethora of tips and advice aimed at all levels of play. Unlike most golf guides and perhaps somewhat surprising from a player best known for his long game, How I Play Golf begins with the short game--putting, chipping, and pitching--before moving onto swing mechanics and hitting off the tee. Produced in conjunction with the editors of Golf Digest, the book is lavishly photographed and illustrated and offers a goldmine of useful ideas and mental images that Tiger himself has collected over the years. Throughout, Tiger recounts memorable shots from his relatively brief career; for example, his only "perfect" shot (a 3-wood on No. 14 at St. Andrews) and his first putt at the 1995 Masters (20-footer for birdie on No.1 that missed and rolled off the green). How I Play Golf is not only a first-rate instructional guide, it also communicates a passion and respect for the game that beginners, hackers, and low-handicappers should find inspiring. Highly recommended. --Harry C Edwards

Help full book even for a dummy, 17 May 2007
I have read several of the for dummies books and they have all been very good. But this one i thought was very good the author is quite funny which is refreshing, plus it really did improve my game. But another great place for golf advice and tips is www.advice4men.co.uk check it out help me a lot.

A Decent Introduction For The Beginner, 30 Jun 2006
As a relatively new golfer I found this book a good introduction to the game. The authors humour throughout makes the book comfortable reading. There were chapters I skipped (Top 10 woman golfers for instance) while others made great reading (rules of the game for instance). Some of the chapters about improving your play are chapters I'll come back to later.

Overall a decent introduction to the game. 8/10.

A big disappointment., 12 Aug 1999
I was expecting a book with good helpful tips for learning how to play this game. I tired of reading about all the tournaments the author had been in or who he knew in the golf world. Half the book was wasted on golf information that have no place in an instructional manual. Some factoids were interesting, most were trivia. A big disappointment--I would not recommend it to the beginning golfer. Most of the book is a waste of time.

Full of 'Tips and Quips'. I just can't put it down., 21 Jun 1999
As someone who is new to golf I need all the help I can get. I found the text very informative and easy to follow. The author's sense of humour make the read all the more enjoyable and he certainly doesn't mind admitting his own mistakes as an aid to help others learn.

Following the exercises and instructions in the book has helped me a lot and I can now hit the ball almost every time (getting it to go in the right place may take a little longer). The photos demonstrating the techniques are okay but would be better if they were perhaps in colour and some could be slightly larger (mind you this would probably put the cost up). Other than that I can't find any fault with the book at all.

I would reccommend this book to anyone (I have already) who wishes to improve their game. It addresses all the areas I need to cover and keeps me laughing when my entire game is falling apart.

The greatest golf book for everyone, 08 Jun 1999
This is the best golf book I've ever read. The author did a great job to help me find my weak points and adjust my posture of swing. Now I can swing much better. I also like the author's sense of humor. The best thing I found in this book is that what the author suggested are really work!

Good fun, 26 Oct 2008
This book is great fun, and a nice read for a cold autumn evening, while you're enjoying your cognac.
It's an advantage if you know a lot about The European Tour. But as a golf fan, you probably do!

A different view of the PGA tour, 20 Dec 2007
A quirky and sometimes funny story about the other side of the PGA tour from the view of a caddy. The author captures the life of someone who has worked with some of the best golfers ever to walk the fairways in a way that shows the highs and lows of life on tour as a caddy. From the humour of the tricks that caddies play on each other to the seriousness of having your livelihood curtailed through a simple accident. A good read.


Hole In One, 14 May 2007
This is a very insightful book that contains plenty of useful info to improve all aspects of your game. The layout of this book is superb - very clear, easy to understand and colourful. It is easy to pick an area you want to read up on thanks to the simple chaptering and page layout. There are literally hundreds of full colour photos to show you the correct techniques from several angles. The book is very well written and has a very user-friendly and personal approach to it. As well as the many guides and tips, Tiger also talks about his own experiences as a player, including the mistakes he's made (yes, even the best in the world can make mistakes from time to time!) and the things he has learnt himself. Most golf guides can be overly complex or the pictures don't seem to relate to the description (usually because they're not very clear). No such problems with this book - I can't emphasise enough just how clear and easy to use this book really is.

Ideal for verying levels of skill, from beginner through to good ametuer players, this is a perfect book to help improve your game no matter what level you play at - and you can't get a better teacher than the best golf player in the world! This is without a doubt the best golf guide I have ever come across and comes highly recommended.

Excellent instructions, 14 Dec 2004
The book starts off with a foreword written by Earl Woods that is quite interesting and a look into Tiger's young years. The book is filled with instructions for the all round game including fitness and mental, this is a great book and well worth a look. I have learnt alot from this book and Tiger's tales when he is on the course and off. This is a great book to get hints on the way Tiger plays and thinks.

Tiger Watching: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance!, 03 Jul 2004
If you are like me, your golf swing will never be confused with Mr. Tiger Woods's magnificent arcs. On the other hand, I enjoy watching him on television (even a lot of nongolfers do, too), and How I Play Golf is a very valuable, detailed look a how he eats, exercises, practices, prepares mentally, thinks through shots, sets up, and executes. I found this book to be the most revealing look at one golfer?s game that it has ever been my pleasure to look at and read about. Even if I can never learn anything from his game, I will certainly watch his game with a more educated eye in the future!

One of my major complaints about the photographs in most golf books is that the images do not illuminate what the text describes. These photographs are both well coordinated with the text, and easy to evaluate from an amateur perspective. I especially enjoyed seeing the details of the different grips Mr. Woods uses. I got several ideas for experiments to try in order to cure faults in my swing with those grip examples.

Another complaint about books by famous golfers is that they encourage too many people to emulate them. Mr. Woods makes it clear that this is how he plays golf, and why. In several places, he points out that his solutions will not be right for you. On the other hand, he plays with a lot of amateurs in pro-ams and studies with top teaching professionals. From those perspectives, he has a lot to say for the amateur, weekend golfer.

A great strength of this book is that it shows you and describes each element of the game from many different perspectives. You often see very large color photographs, from different angles. In other places, the degree of grip pressure is explored in considerable detail, with useful calibrations to experience. The text also describes why one approach works in a given situation and another one does not. For example, there are almost as many illustrations of common faults as of proper practice and performance. Seeing the ?wrong? and the ?right? side-by-side makes the message much clearer. In a few places, Mr. Woods also explains how his special physical skills permit him to do things that won?t work for very many other people. For example, he can feel the degree of ?squareness? of the club head as it approaches the hitting zone and can make fine adjustments with his hands just before contact. He uses a grip that takes advantage of that talent. On the other hand, he cautions the reader to model the full swing on a golfer who has a similar physique and stature to oneself.

The book contains a lot of sound advice of the sort that you would eventually pick up by reading about 50 issues of Golf Digest. Those who want to see basics outlined all in one place will like this book. It has a lot of the richness of a Dave Pelz book, but is simplified to make the material easier to absorb and remember.

I also liked the way that key points are repeated throughout the book, in order to help drive them home.

Having watched a lot of Mr. Woods's tournament rounds, I was pleased to see that he used many references to shots that I remember to make certain points. I was particularly impressed by his assessment that he seldom hits a "perfect shot" in remembering only one in the 12 tournaments he won in 2000.

Perhaps the most interesting advice in the book is to swing at only 80 percent of the effort you can make.

I have always found that it makes sense to build my game from the putting green back towards the tee. I was delighted to see that this book takes the same approach. Naturally, you will be tempted to skip ahead to the "blast away with the driver" sections, but do read all of the book. There's lots of good information here. I have played with a number of pros who love to hit their drivers from the fairway. Imagine my fascination when I saw that the book has a section on how to do that.

If you are like me, you will come away with increased respect for the dedication that it has taken to develop this amazing level of skill and coolness. As Mr. Woods says, there are no short cuts. In fact, he has added a lot of discipline since first winning on the tour at 21.

No matter what happens to you on the course, or in life . . . keep your chin up and relax!

Tiger Watching: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance!, 06 May 2004
If you are like me, your golf swing will never be confused with Mr. Tiger Woods's magnificent arcs. On the other hand, I enjoy watching him on television (even a lot of nongolfers do, too), and How I Play Golf is a very valuable, detailed look a how he eats, exercises, practices, prepares mentally, thinks through shots, sets up, and executes. I found this book to be the most revealing look at one golfer’s game that it has ever been my pleasure to look at and read about. Even if I can never learn anything from his game, I will certainly watch his game with a more educated eye in the future!

One of my major complaints about the photographs in most golf books is that the images do not illuminate what the text describes. These photographs are both well coordinated with the text, and easy to evaluate from an amateur perspective. I especially enjoyed seeing the details of the different grips Mr. Woods uses. I got several ideas for experiments to try in order to cure faults in my swing with those grip examples.

Another complaint about books by famous golfers is that they encourage too many people to emulate them. Mr. Woods makes it clear that this is how he plays golf, and why. In several places, he points out that his solutions will not be right for you. On the other hand, he plays with a lot of amateurs in pro-ams and studies with top teaching professionals. From those perspectives, he has a lot to say for the amateur, weekend golfer.

A great strength of this book is that it shows you and describes each element of the game from many different perspectives. You often see very large color photographs, from different angles. In other places, the degree of grip pressure is explored in considerable detail, with useful calibrations to experience. The text also describes why one approach works in a given situation and another one does not. For example, there are almost as many illustrations of common faults as of proper practice and performance. Seeing the “wrong” and the “right” side-by-side makes the message much clearer. In a few places, Mr. Woods also explains how his special physical skills permit him to do things that won’t work for very many other people. For example, he can feel the degree of “squareness” of the club head as it approaches the hitting zone and can make fine adjustments with his hands just before contact. He uses a grip that takes advantage of that talent. On the other hand, he cautions the reader to model the full swing on a golfer who has a similar physique and stature to oneself.

The book contains a lot of sound advice of the sort that you would eventually pick up by reading about 50 issues of Golf Digest. Those who want to see basics outlined all in one place will like this book. It has a lot of the richness of a Dave Pelz book, but is simplified to make the material easier to absorb and remember.

I also liked the way that key points are repeated throughout the book, in order to help drive them home.

Having watched a lot of Mr. Woods's tournament rounds, I was pleased to see that he used many references to shots that I remember to make certain points. I was particularly impressed by his assessment that he seldom hits a "perfect shot" in remembering only one in the 12 tournaments he won in 2000.

Perhaps the most interesting advice in the book is to swing at only 80 percent of the effort you can make.

I have always found that it makes sense to build my game from the putting green back towards the tee. I was delighted to see that this book takes the same approach. Naturally, you will be tempted to skip ahead to the "blast away with the driver" sections, but do read all of the book. There's lots of good information here. I have played with a number of pros who love to hit their drivers from the fairway. Imagine my fascination when I saw that the book has a section on how to do that.

If you are like me, you will come away with increased respect for the dedication that it has taken to develop this amazing level of skill and coolness. As Mr. Woods says, there are no short cuts. In fact, he has added a lot of discipline since first winning on the tour at 21.

No matter what happens to you on the course, or in life . . . keep your chin up and relax!

Learn from the best, 30 Jul 2003
Tiger has changed the way that golf is played all over the world and this book covers all aspects of Wood's game and attitude. Unkile most golf instruction books that aim on giving the weekend golfer more power and distance, this books begins with the short game and putting. In this book, Tiger trys to show the average golfer how he learnt to be the best. The book not only contains excellent advice but brillant graphics and pull-out pages for clearer demonstrations on the swing. Tiger also gives an insight into how he became not only the best golfer but the fittest golfer. From the book it is clear how dedicated the Tiger is and will truly help all levels of golfer abd his an enjoyable read.

Help full book even for a dummy, 17 May 2007
I have read several of the for dummies books and they have all been very good. But this one i thought was very good the author is quite funny which is refreshing, plus it really did improve my game. But another great place for golf advice and tips is www.advice4men.co.uk check it out help me a lot.

A Decent Introduction For The Beginner, 30 Jun 2006
As a relatively new golfer I found this book a good introduction to the game. The authors humour throughout makes the book comfortable reading. There were chapters I skipped (Top 10 woman golfers for instance) while others made great reading (rules of the game for instance). Some of the chapters about improving your play are chapters I'll come back to later.

Overall a decent introduction to the game. 8/10.

A big disappointment., 12 Aug 1999
I was expecting a book with good helpful tips for learning how to play this game. I tired of reading about all the tournaments the author had been in or who he knew in the golf world. Half the book was wasted on golf information that have no place in an instructional manual. Some factoids were interesting, most were trivia. A big disappointment--I would not recommend it to the beginning golfer. Most of the book is a waste of time.

Full of 'Tips and Quips'. I just can't put it down., 21 Jun 1999
As someone who is new to golf I need all the help I can get. I found the text very informative and easy to follow. The author's sense of humour make the read all the more enjoyable and he certainly doesn't mind admitting his own mistakes as an aid to help others learn.

Following the exercises and instructions in the book has helped me a lot and I can now hit the ball almost every time (getting it to go in the right place may take a little longer). The photos demonstrating the techniques are okay but would be better if they were perhaps in colour and some could be slightly larger (mind you this would probably put the cost up). Other than that I can't find any fault with the book at all.

I would reccommend this book to anyone (I have already) who wishes to improve their game. It addresses all the areas I need to cover and keeps me laughing when my entire game is falling apart.

The greatest golf book for everyone, 08 Jun 1999
This is the best golf book I've ever read. The author did a great job to help me find my weak points and adjust my posture of swing. Now I can swing much better. I also like the author's sense of humor. The best thing I found in this book is that what the author suggested are really work!

Good fun, 26 Oct 2008
This book is great fun, and a nice read for a cold autumn evening, while you're enjoying your cognac.
It's an advantage if you know a lot about The European Tour. But as a golf fan, you probably do!

A different view of the PGA tour, 20 Dec 2007
A quirky and sometimes funny story about the other side of the PGA tour from the view of a caddy. The author captures the life of someone who has worked with some of the best golfers ever to walk the fairways in a way that shows the highs and lows of life on tour as a caddy. From the humour of the tricks that caddies play on each other to the seriousness of having your livelihood curtailed through a simple accident. A good read.


Hole In One, 14 May 2007
This is a very insightful book that contains plenty of useful info to improve all aspects of your game. The layout of this book is superb - very clear, easy to understand and colourful. It is easy to pick an area you want to read up on thanks to the simple chaptering and page layout. There are literally hundreds of full colour photos to show you the correct techniques from several angles. The book is very well written and has a very user-friendly and personal approach to it. As well as the many guides and tips, Tiger also talks about his own experiences as a player, including the mistakes he's made (yes, even the best in the world can make mistakes from time to time!) and the things he has learnt himself. Most golf guides can be overly complex or the pictures don't seem to relate to the description (usually because they're not very clear). No such problems with this book - I can't emphasise enough just how clear and easy to use this book really is.

Ideal for verying levels of skill, from beginner through to good ametuer players, this is a perfect book to help improve your game no matter what level you play at - and you can't get a better teacher than the best golf player in the world! This is without a doubt the best golf guide I have ever come across and comes highly recommended.

Excellent instructions, 14 Dec 2004
The book starts off with a foreword written by Earl Woods that is quite interesting and a look into Tiger's young years. The book is filled with instructions for the all round game including fitness and mental, this is a great book and well worth a look. I have learnt alot from this book and Tiger's tales when he is on the course and off. This is a great book to get hints on the way Tiger plays and thinks.

Tiger Watching: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance!, 03 Jul 2004
If you are like me, your golf swing will never be confused with Mr. Tiger Woods's magnificent arcs. On the other hand, I enjoy watching him on television (even a lot of nongolfers do, too), and How I Play Golf is a very valuable, detailed look a how he eats, exercises, practices, prepares mentally, thinks through shots, sets up, and executes. I found this book to be the most revealing look at one golfer?s game that it has ever been my pleasure to look at and read about. Even if I can never learn anything from his game, I will certainly watch his game with a more educated eye in the future!

One of my major complaints about the photographs in most golf books is that the images do not illuminate what the text describes. These photographs are both well coordinated with the text, and easy to evaluate from an amateur perspective. I especially enjoyed seeing the details of the different grips Mr. Woods uses. I got several ideas for experiments to try in order to cure faults in my swing with those grip examples.

Another complaint about books by famous golfers is that they encourage too many people to emulate them. Mr. Woods makes it clear that this is how he plays golf, and why. In several places, he points out that his solutions will not be right for you. On the other hand, he plays with a lot of amateurs in pro-ams and studies with top teaching professionals. From those perspectives, he has a lot to say for the amateur, weekend golfer.

A great strength of this book is that it shows you and describes each element of the game from many different perspectives. You often see very large color photographs, from different angles. In other places, the degree of grip pressure is explored in considerable detail, with useful calibrations to experience. The text also describes why one approach works in a given situation and another one does not. For example, there are almost as many illustrations of common faults as of proper practice and performance. Seeing the ?wrong? and the ?right? side-by-side makes the message much clearer. In a few places, Mr. Woods also explains how his special physical skills permit him to do things that won?t work for very many other people. For example, he can feel the degree of ?squareness? of the club head as it approaches the hitting zone and can make fine adjustments with his hands just before contact. He uses a grip that takes advantage of that talent. On the other hand, he cautions the reader to model the full swing on a golfer who has a similar physique and stature to oneself.

The book contains a lot of sound advice of the sort that you would eventually pick up by reading about 50 issues of Golf Digest. Those who want to see basics outlined all in one place will like this book. It has a lot of the richness of a Dave Pelz book, but is simplified to make the material easier to absorb and remember.

I also liked the way that key points are repeated throughout the book, in order to help drive them home.

Having watched a lot of Mr. Woods's tournament rounds, I was pleased to see that he used many references to shots that I remember to make certain points. I was particularly impressed by his assessment that he seldom hits a "perfect shot" in remembering only one in the 12 tournaments he won in 2000.

Perhaps the most interesting advice in the book is to swing at only 80 percent of the effort you can make.

I have always found that it makes sense to build my game from the putting green back towards the tee. I was delighted to see that this book takes the same approach. Naturally, you will be tempted to skip ahead to the "blast away with the driver" sections, but do read all of the book. There's lots of good information here. I have played with a number of pros who love to hit their drivers from the fairway. Imagine my fascination when I saw that the book has a section on how to do that.

If you are like me, you will come away with increased respect for the dedication that it has taken to develop this amazing level of skill and coolness. As Mr. Woods says, there are no short cuts. In fact, he has added a lot of discipline since first winning on the tour at 21.

No matter what happens to you on the course, or in life . . . keep your chin up and relax!

Tiger Watching: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance!, 06 May 2004
If you are like me, your golf swing will never be confused with Mr. Tiger Woods's magnificent arcs. On the other hand, I enjoy watching him on television (even a lot of nongolfers do, too), and How I Play Golf is a very valuable, detailed look a how he eats, exercises, practices, prepares mentally, thinks through shots, sets up, and executes. I found this book to be the most revealing look at one golfer’s game that it has ever been my pleasure to look at and read about. Even if I can never learn anything from his game, I will certainly watch his game with a more educated eye in the future!

One of my major complaints about the photographs in most golf books is that the images do not illuminate what the text describes. These photographs are both well coordinated with the text, and easy to evaluate from an amateur perspective. I especially enjoyed seeing the details of the different grips Mr. Woods uses. I got several ideas for experiments to try in order to cure faults in my swing with those grip examples.

Another complaint about books by famous golfers is that they encourage too many people to emulate them. Mr. Woods makes it clear that this is how he plays golf, and why. In several places, he points out that his solutions will not be right for you. On the other hand, he plays with a lot of amateurs in pro-ams and studies with top teaching professionals. From those perspectives, he has a lot to say for the amateur, weekend golfer.

A great strength of this book is that it shows you and describes each element of the game from many different perspectives. You often see very large color photographs, from different angles. In other places, the degree of grip pressure is explored in considerable detail, with useful calibrations to experience. The text also describes why one approach works in a given situation and another one does not. For example, there are almost as many illustrations of common faults as of proper practice and performance. Seeing the “wrong” and the “right” side-by-side makes the message much clearer. In a few places, Mr. Woods also explains how his special physical skills permit him to do things that won’t work for very many other people. For example, he can feel the degree of “squareness” of the club head as it approaches the hitting zone and can make fine adjustments with his hands just before contact. He uses a grip that takes advantage of that talent. On the other hand, he cautions the reader to model the full swing on a golfer who has a similar physique and stature to oneself.

The book contains a lot of sound advice of the sort that you would eventually pick up by reading about 50 issues of Golf Digest. Those who want to see basics outlined all in one place will like this book. It has a lot of the richness of a Dave Pelz book, but is simplified to make the material easier to absorb and remember.

I also liked the way that key points are repeated throughout the book, in order to help drive them home.

Having watched a lot of Mr. Woods's tournament rounds, I was pleased to see that he used many references to shots that I remember to make certain points. I was particularly impressed by his assessment that he seldom hits a "perfect shot" in remembering only one in the 12 tournaments he won in 2000.

Perhaps the most interesting advice in the book is to swing at only 80 percent of the effort you can make.

I have always found that it makes sense to build my game from the putting green back towards the tee. I was delighted to see that this book takes the same approach. Naturally, you will be tempted to skip ahead to the "blast away with the driver" sections, but do read all of the book. There's lots of good information here. I have played with a number of pros who love to hit their drivers from the fairway. Imagine my fascination when I saw that the book has a section on how to do that.

If you are like me, you will come away with increased respect for the dedication that it has taken to develop this amazing level of skill and coolness. As Mr. Woods says, there are no short cuts. In fact, he has added a lot of discipline since first winning on the tour at 21.

No matter what happens to you on the course, or in life . . . keep your chin up and relax!

Learn from the best, 30 Jul 2003
Tiger has changed the way that golf is played all over the world and this book covers all aspects of Wood's game and attitude. Unkile most golf instruction books that aim on giving the weekend golfer more power and distance, this books begins with the short game and putting. In this book, Tiger trys to show the average golfer how he learnt to be the best. The book not only contains excellent advice but brillant graphics and pull-out pages for clearer demonstrations on the swing. Tiger also gives an insight into how he became not only the best golfer but the fittest golfer. From the book it is clear how dedicated the Tiger is and will truly help all levels of golfer abd his an enjoyable read.

Gets to the FEELINGs, 13 Nov 2008
This book excels in getting to the heart of HOW to swing the club. It is not JUST about the 4 Magic Moves - but they are the cornerstone. So many golf books are about the technicalities of the swing - and they are no doubt technically correct more often than not - pretty good at telling you WHAT to do but often far too short on the HOW to do it. So thanks to Mr Dante for stripping things down to a kind of bare minimum. It has really changed the way I look at the swing and this has improved my game significantly. At least now I seem to have a clue as to what, why and HOW to swing - including what feelings I should be looking for. With the 4 magic moves (with my own personal modifications along the way ... and with some solid practice) I have been quickly able to improve the solidity of my hits. Within weeks my 6-iron now goes 5-iron distance and over the last few months my handicap has come down from 15 to 12 - all in large part I believe thanks to Mr Dante pointing me in a new (and I believe correct) direction. The book has its flaws (the pictures and layout are a bit old fashioned (but for me that in no way detratced from its interest)) and I am not fully convinced by ALL of the pointers. But he has made me look at the swing in a totally different "feel" type of way. The focus on a handful of "Magic Moves" really helped me develop my swing thoughts and swing in a different, more simplified, way - kind of focussing on the "essence" of the swing. And for the first time in my golfing life I really felt that I understood what was going on in the swing instead of it being that "grey blur".

What also helped cement the solidity of his advice for me was that I noticed that the technicalities that underly what Mr Dante is saying lined up almost exaclty with Nick Faldo's book (Golf - the Winning Formula (an excellent tech ref based on Nick's swing rebuild by David Leadbetter)). The problem I have with Nick's book is the overwhelming amount of info - all no doubt technically correct - but a bit too hard to take on board as there are no clear "hooks" to hang it all on.

Do not look at the 4 Magic Moves as an absolute golfing bible where you must do exactly what it says - I would suggest that you use it to help you change the way you view the swing, to strip away the complexities to a simpler level with a few key moves around which you can build and develop an improved swing.

So, a thousand thanks to Mr Dante.

Dante's "Magic" is teaching new tricks to old dogs., 28 Jun 1999
I went from a 3 handicap in high school to what G.P.Wodehouse describes as a "goof". When I couldn't play every day my game went to pot. I had never developed a solid swing that I could repeat time after time, I was clueless. I am now 41 years old and this book changed my life. Well, my golf life at least. I love the game again. Joe Dante teaches the "magic moves" in a way even I can understand and I'm a hardheaded old dog to whom new tricks are hard to teach.

The key to golf is delivering the club head to the ball square to the target (accuracy) while generating maximum club head speed (distance). Dante's early wrist break method is the key to consistent accuracy. His lateral hip shift is no secret to golf but it is the key to clubhead speed. The magic is that Dante teaches these moves in such a clear and concise way that, if you follow directions and practice his method, you will improve your golf swing and scores!

Outstanding insight into the fundamentals of a golf swing, 06 Jun 1999
I have read about every book on the golf swing. This one has changed my game forever. Other than Hogan's Five Fundamentals, I have never experienced such an immediate change in the way I swing the club than since reading this book. It was like a light went on and in a instant, I UNDERSTOOD the objective. I have read it dozens of times and bought more than one copy for friends. It examines many errors of teaching, and takes the reader to the "four magic moves" that must be mastered to create a repeating and efficient swing.

This book lit a fire in my and my love for the game, and the feeling that I can "get it", continues to burn.

I've been searching for this book since I lost mine in 1969., 02 Mar 1997
I purchased this book at a used book store in 1969. After reading it I loaned it to a friend who never returned it. As a beginner at the time, it helped me more than any other golf book, before or since. I've been searching for another copy of the book in bookstores, new and used, ever since. As a lark, I decided to check the Amazon list and sure enough there it is, having been republished. I am currently a nine handicapper, but I feel I still need to have this book again. I especially recommend it to beginners, but I believe experienced golfers will also benefit. I am ordering me another copy today.

Help full book even for a dummy, 17 May 2007
I have read several of the for dummies books and they have all been very good. But this one i thought was very good the author is quite funny which is refreshing, plus it really did improve my game. But another great place for golf advice and tips is www.advice4men.co.uk check it out help me a lot.

A Decent Introduction For The Beginner, 30 Jun 2006
As a relatively new golfer I found this book a good introduction to the game. The authors humour throughout makes the book comfortable reading. There were chapters I skipped (Top 10 woman golfers for instance) while others made great reading (rules of the game for instance). Some of the chapters about improving your play are chapters I'll come back to later.

Overall a decent introduction to the game. 8/10.

A big disappointment., 12 Aug 1999
I was expecting a book with good helpful tips for learning how to play this game. I tired of reading about all the tournaments the author had been in or who he knew in the golf world. Half the book was wasted on golf information that have no place in an instructional manual. Some factoids were interesting, most were trivia. A big disappointment--I would not recommend it to the beginning golfer. Most of the book is a waste of time.

Full of 'Tips and Quips'. I just can't put it down., 21 Jun 1999
As someone who is new to golf I need all the help I can get. I found the text very informative and easy to follow. The author's sense of humour make the read all the more enjoyable and he certainly doesn't mind admitting his own mistakes as an aid to help others learn.

Following the exercises and instructions in the book has helped me a lot and I can now hit the ball almost every time (getting it to go in the right place may take a little longer). The photos demonstrating the techniques are okay but would be better if they were perhaps in colour and some could be slightly larger (mind you this would probably put the cost up). Other than that I can't find any fault with the book at all.

I would reccommend this book to anyone (I have already) who wishes to improve their game. It addresses all the areas I need to cover and keeps me laughing when my entire game is falling apart.

The greatest golf book for everyone, 08 Jun 1999
This is the best golf book I've ever read. The author did a great job to help me find my weak points and adjust my posture of swing. Now I can swing much better. I also like the author's sense of humor. The best thing I found in this book is that what the author suggested are really work!

Good fun, 26 Oct 2008
This book is great fun, and a nice read for a cold autumn evening, while you're enjoying your cognac.
It's an advantage if you know a lot about The European Tour. But as a golf fan, you probably do!

A different view of the PGA tour, 20 Dec 2007
A quirky and sometimes funny story about the other side of the PGA tour from the view of a caddy. The author captures the life of someone who has worked with some of the best golfers ever to walk the fairways in a way that shows the highs and lows of life on tour as a caddy. From the humour of the tricks that caddies play on each other to the seriousness of having your livelihood curtailed through a simple accident. A good read.


Hole In One, 14 May 2007
This is a very insightful book that contains plenty of useful info to improve all aspects of your game. The layout of this book is superb - very clear, easy to understand and colourful. It is easy to pick an area you want to read up on thanks to the simple chaptering and page layout. There are literally hundreds of full colour photos to show you the correct techniques from several angles. The book is very well written and has a very user-friendly and personal approach to it. As well as the many guides and tips, Tiger also talks about his own experiences as a player, including the mistakes he's made (yes, even the best in the world can make mistakes from time to time!) and the things he has learnt himself. Most golf guides can be overly complex or the pictures don't seem to relate to the description (usually because they're not very clear). No such problems with this book - I can't emphasise enough just how clear and easy to use this book really is.

Ideal for verying levels of skill, from beginner through to good ametuer players, this is a perfect book to help improve your game no matter what level you play at - and you can't get a better teacher than the best golf player in the world! This is without a doubt the best golf guide I have ever come across and comes highly recommended.

Excellent instructions, 14 Dec 2004
The book starts off with a foreword written by Earl Woods that is quite interesting and a look into Tiger's young years. The book is filled with instructions for the all round game including fitness and mental, this is a great book and well worth a look. I have learnt alot from this book and Tiger's tales when he is on the course and off. This is a great book to get hints on the way Tiger plays and thinks.

Tiger Watching: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance!, 03 Jul 2004
If you are like me, your golf swing will never be confused with Mr. Tiger Woods's magnificent arcs. On the other hand, I enjoy watching him on television (even a lot of nongolfers do, too), and How I Play Golf is a very valuable, detailed look a how he eats, exercises, practices, prepares mentally, thinks through shots, sets up, and executes. I found this book to be the most revealing look at one golfer?s game that it has ever been my pleasure to look at and read about. Even if I can never learn anything from his game, I will certainly watch his game with a more educated eye in the future!

One of my major complaints about the photographs in most golf books is that the images do not illuminate what the text describes. These photographs are both well coordinated with the text, and easy to evaluate from an amateur perspective. I especially enjoyed seeing the details of the different grips Mr. Woods uses. I got several ideas for experiments to try in order to cure faults in my swing with those grip examples.

Another complaint about books by famous golfers is that they encourage too many people to emulate them. Mr. Woods makes it clear that this is how he plays golf, and why. In several places, he points out that his solutions will not be right for you. On the other hand, he plays with a lot of amateurs in pro-ams and studies with top teaching professionals. From those perspectives, he has a lot to say for the amateur, weekend golfer.

A great strength of this book is that it shows you and describes each element of the game from many different perspectives. You often see very large color photographs, from different angles. In other places, the degree of grip pressure is explored in considerable detail, with useful calibrations to experience. The text also describes why one approach works in a given situation and another one does not. For example, there are almost as many illustrations of common faults as of proper practice and performance. Seeing the ?wrong? and the ?right? side-by-side makes the message much clearer. In a few places, Mr. Woods also explains how his special physical skills permit him to do things that won?t work for very many other people. For example, he can feel the degree of ?squareness? of the club head as it approaches the hitting zone and can make fine adjustments with his hands just before contact. He uses a grip that takes advantage of that talent. On the other hand, he cautions the reader to model the full swing on a golfer who has a similar physique and stature to oneself.

The book contains a lot of sound advice of the sort that you would eventually pick up by reading about 50 issues of Golf Digest. Those who want to see basics outlined all in one place will like this book. It has a lot of the richness of a Dave Pelz book, but is simplified to make the material easier to absorb and remember.

I also liked the way that key points are repeated throughout the book, in order to help drive them home.

Having watched a lot of Mr. Woods's tournament rounds, I was pleased to see that he used many references to shots that I remember to make certain points. I was particularly impressed by his assessment that he seldom hits a "perfect shot" in remembering only one in the 12 tournaments he won in 2000.

Perhaps the most interesting advice in the book is to swing at only 80 percent of the effort you can make.

I have always found that it makes sense to build my game from the putting green back towards the tee. I was delighted to see that this book takes the same approach. Naturally, you will be tempted to skip ahead to the "blast away with the driver" sections, but do read all of the book. There's lots of good information here. I have played with a number of pros who love to hit their drivers from the fairway. Imagine my fascination when I saw that the book has a section on how to do that.

If you are like me, you will come away with increased respect for the dedication that it has taken to develop this amazing level of skill and coolness. As Mr. Woods says, there are no short cuts. In fact, he has added a lot of discipline since first winning on the tour at 21.

No matter what happens to you on the course, or in life . . . keep your chin up and relax!

Tiger Watching: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance!, 06 May 2004
If you are like me, your golf swing will never be confused with Mr. Tiger Woods's magnificent arcs. On the other hand, I enjoy watching him on television (even a lot of nongolfers do, too), and How I Play Golf is a very valuable, detailed look a how he eats, exercises, practices, prepares mentally, thinks through shots, sets up, and executes. I found this book to be the most revealing look at one golfer’s game that it has ever been my pleasure to look at and read about. Even if I can never learn anything from his game, I will certainly watch his game with a more educated eye in the future!

One of my major complaints about the photographs in most golf books is that the images do not illuminate what the text describes. These photographs are both well coordinated with the text, and easy to evaluate from an amateur perspective. I especially enjoyed seeing the details of the different grips Mr. Woods uses. I got several ideas for experiments to try in order to cure faults in my swing with those grip examples.

Another complaint about books by famous golfers is that they encourage too many people to emulate them. Mr. Woods makes it clear that this is how he plays golf, and why. In several places, he points out that his solutions will not be right for you. On the other hand, he plays with a lot of amateurs in pro-ams and studies with top teaching professionals. From those perspectives, he has a lot to say for the amateur, weekend golfer.

A great strength of this book is that it shows you and describes each element of the game from many different perspectives. You often see very large color photographs, from different angles. In other places, the degree of grip pressure is explored in considerable detail, with useful calibrations to experience. The text also describes why one approach works in a given situation and another one does not. For example, there are almost as many illustrations of common faults as of proper practice and performance. Seeing the “wrong” and the “right” side-by-side makes the message much clearer. In a few places, Mr. Woods also explains how his special physical skills permit him to do things that won’t work for very many other people. For example, he can feel the degree of “squareness” of the club head as it approaches the hitting zone and can make fine adjustments with his hands just before contact. He uses a grip that takes advantage of that talent. On the other hand, he cautions the reader to model the full swing on a golfer who has a similar physique and stature to oneself.

The book contains a lot of sound advice of the sort that you would eventually pick up by reading about 50 issues of Golf Digest. Those who want to see basics outlined all in one place will like this book. It has a lot of the richness of a Dave Pelz book, but is simplified to make the material easier to absorb and remember.

I also liked the way that key points are repeated throughout the book, in order to help drive them home.

Having watched a lot of Mr. Woods's tournament rounds, I was pleased to see that he used many references to shots that I remember to make certain points. I was particularly impressed by his assessment that he seldom hits a "perfect shot" in remembering only one in the 12 tournaments he won in 2000.

Perhaps the most interesting advice in the book is to swing at only 80 percent of the effort you can make.

I have always found that it makes sense to build my game from the putting green back towards the tee. I was delighted to see that this book takes the same approach. Naturally, you will be tempted to skip ahead to the "blast away with the driver" sections, but do read all of the book. There's lots of good information here. I have played with a number of pros who love to hit their drivers from the fairway. Imagine my fascination when I saw that the book has a section on how to do that.

If you are like me, you will come away with increased respect for the dedication that it has taken to develop this amazing level of skill and coolness. As Mr. Woods says, there are no short cuts. In fact, he has added a lot of discipline since first winning on the tour at 21.

No matter what happens to you on the course, or in life . . . keep your chin up and relax!

Learn from the best, 30 Jul 2003
Tiger has changed the way that golf is played all over the world and this book covers all aspects of Wood's game and attitude. Unkile most golf instruction books that aim on giving the weekend golfer more power and distance, this books begins with the short game and putting. In this book, Tiger trys to show the average golfer how he learnt to be the best. The book not only contains excellent advice but brillant graphics and pull-out pages for clearer demonstrations on the swing. Tiger also gives an insight into how he became not only the best golfer but the fittest golfer. From the book it is clear how dedicated the Tiger is and will truly help all levels of golfer abd his an enjoyable read.

Gets to the FEELINGs, 13 Nov 2008
This book excels in getting to the heart of HOW to swing the club. It is not JUST about the 4 Magic Moves - but they are the cornerstone. So many golf books are about the technicalities of the swing - and they are no doubt technically correct more often than not - pretty good at telling you WHAT to do but often far too short on the HOW to do it. So thanks to Mr Dante for stripping things down to a kind of bare minimum. It has really changed the way I look at the swing and this has improved my game significantly. At least now I seem to have a clue as to what, why and HOW to swing - including what feelings I should be looking for. With the 4 magic moves (with my own personal modifications along the way ... and with some solid practice) I have been quickly able to improve the solidity of my hits. Within weeks my 6-iron now goes 5-iron distance and over the last few months my handicap has come down from 15 to 12 - all in large part I believe thanks to Mr Dante pointing me in a new (and I believe correct) direction. The book has its flaws (the pictures and layout are a bit old fashioned (but for me that in no way detratced from its interest)) and I am not fully convinced by ALL of the pointers. But he has made me look at the swing in a totally different "feel" type of way. The focus on a handful of "Magic Moves" really helped me develop my swing thoughts and swing in a different, more simplified, way - kind of focussing on the "essence" of the swing. And for the first time in my golfing life I really felt that I understood what was going on in the swing instead of it being that "grey blur".

What also helped cement the solidity of his advice for me was that I noticed that the technicalities that underly what Mr Dante is saying lined up almost exaclty with Nick Faldo's book (Golf - the Winning Formula (an excellent tech ref based on Nick's swing rebuild by David Leadbetter)). The problem I have with Nick's book is the overwhelming amount of info - all no doubt technically correct - but a bit too hard to take on board as there are no clear "hooks" to hang it all on.

Do not look at the 4 Magic Moves as an absolute golfing bible where you must do exactly what it says - I would suggest that you use it to help you change the way you view the swing, to strip away the complexities to a simpler level with a few key moves around which you can build and develop an improved swing.

So, a thousand thanks to Mr Dante.

Dante's "Magic" is teaching new tricks to old dogs., 28 Jun 1999
I went from a 3 handicap in high school to what G.P.Wodehouse describes as a "goof". When I couldn't play every day my game went to pot. I had never developed a solid swing that I could repeat time after time, I was clueless. I am now 41 years old and this book changed my life. Well, my golf life at least. I love the game again. Joe Dante teaches the "magic moves" in a way even I can understand and I'm a hardheaded old dog to whom new tricks are hard to teach.

The key to golf is delivering the club head to the ball square to the target (accuracy) while generating maximum club head speed (distance). Dante's early wrist break method is the key to consistent accuracy. His lateral hip shift is no secret to golf but it is the key to clubhead speed. The magic is that Dante teaches these moves in such a clear and concise way that, if you follow directions and practice his method, you will improve your golf swing and scores!

Outstanding insight into the fundamentals of a golf swing, 06 Jun 1999
I have read about every book on the golf swing. This one has changed my game forever. Other than Hogan's Five Fundamentals, I have never experienced such an immediate change in the way I swing the club than since reading this book. It was like a light went on and in a instant, I UNDERSTOOD the objective. I have read it dozens of times and bought more than one copy for friends. It examines many errors of teaching, and takes the reader to the "four magic moves" that must be mastered to create a repeating and efficient swing.

This book lit a fire in my and my love for the game, and the feeling that I can "get it", continues to burn.

I've been searching for this book since I lost mine in 1969., 02 Mar 1997
I purchased this book at a used book store in 1969. After reading it I loaned it to a friend who never returned it. As a beginner at the time, it helped me more than any other golf book, before or since. I've been searching for another copy of the book in bookstores, new and used, ever since. As a lark, I decided to check the Amazon list and sure enough there it is, having been republished. I am currently a nine handicapper, but I feel I still need to have this book again. I especially recommend it to beginners, but I believe experienced golfers will also benefit. I am ordering me another copy today.

1 step at a time!, 30 Dec 2008
If you do get this book take it very very slowly when putting it into practise. Although he is a successful coach his ideas on paper are actually quite confusing almost to the extent where if you read the whole chapter on chpping then went to hit a standard chip shot at your course you'd struggle to take the club back! With a 1 step at a time approach this book will benefit your game although it is a bit too self-congratulating for my liking; he isn't afraid to put across his belief that he is god's gift to the short game :-S....Much preferred Pelz' short game bible :-)

The Art of Piffle, 06 Nov 2008
Please avoid this product. The techniques are highly idiosyncratic and extremely unhelpful. One can easily see why two of the 'great' professionals who 'endorse' the book have now left this guy for more sensible golf short-game coaches...

Better than lessons from a Pro, 05 Sep 2008
This is the best Golf instruction book i have read. I am an average club player ( 11 handicap )but have always found the short game a struggle.

If you lack confidence in chipping or Bunker play this book is a must buy.

If you still can`t play out of bunkers after reading this book i suggest you give up golf . From being fearful of every bunker shot as i would either thin it 50 yards over the green or leave it in the bunker i would now rather be in the bunker than the rough.

This book is nicely written without being too technical even though you might need to re-read a couple of chapters before it sinks in i can assure you that his concepts are easy to understand and priceless.

A must have book for the club golfer.


Great golf short game coaching manual , 21 Oct 2007
One of the very best golf instructions books.Utley's methods are tried and tested on tour - he coaches a number of top players solely on their short game.If you have ever wondered what coaches are telling tour players who feel the need to improve then its all here. There could be a few more pictures and mainly text, but Utley puts it all across very well.Approach taken is not heavy and scientific like Pelz and is a lot easier to implement.If you are serious about improving your golf, then forget the latest drivers and balls and shafts and trying to blast it 20 yards further - from 100 yards and in is where it really counts.
I have already improved my touch around he greens and Im controlling the ball better - and understanding why - after a few weeks.

Help full book even for a dummy, 17 May 2007
I have read several of the for dummies books and they have all been very good. But this one i thought was very good the author is quite funny which is refreshing, plus it really did improve my game. But another great place for golf advice and tips is www.advice4men.co.uk check it out help me a lot.

A Decent Introduction For The Beginner, 30 Jun 2006
As a relatively new golfer I found this book a good introduction to the game. The authors humour throughout makes the book comfortable reading. There were chapters I skipped (Top 10 woman golfers for instance) while others made great reading (rules of the game for instance). Some of the chapters about improving your play are chapters I'll come back to later.

Overall a decent introduction to the game. 8/10.

A big disappointment., 12 Aug 1999
I was expecting a book with good helpful tips for learning how to play this game. I tired of reading about all the tournaments the author had been in or who he knew in the golf world. Half the book was wasted on golf information that have no place in an instructional manual. Some factoids were interesting, most were trivia. A big disappointment--I would not recommend it to the beginning golfer. Most of the book is a waste of time.

Full of 'Tips and Quips'. I just can't put it down., 21 Jun 1999
As someone who is new to golf I need all the help I can get. I found the text very informative and easy to follow. The author's sense of humour make the read all the more enjoyable and he certainly doesn't mind admitting his own mistakes as an aid to help others learn.

Following the exercises and instructions in the book has helped me a lot and I can now hit the ball almost every time (getting it to go in the right place may take a little longer). The photos demonstrating the techniques are okay but would be better if they were perhaps in colour and some could be slightly larger (mind you this would probably put the cost up). Other than that I can't find any fault with the book at all.

I would reccommend this book to anyone (I have already) who wishes to improve their game. It addresses all the areas I need to cover and keeps me laughing when my entire game is falling apart.

The greatest golf book for everyone, 08 Jun 1999
This is the best golf book I've ever read. The author did a great job to help me find my weak points and adjust my posture of swing. Now I can swing much better. I also like the author's sense of humor. The best thing I found in this book is that what the author suggested are really work!

Good fun, 26 Oct 2008
This book is great fun, and a nice read for a cold autumn evening, while you're enjoying your cognac.
It's an advantage if you know a lot about The European Tour. But as a golf fan, you probably do!

A different view of the PGA tour, 20 Dec 2007
A quirky and sometimes funny story about the other side of the PGA tour from the view of a caddy. The author captures the life of someone who has worked with some of the best golfers ever to walk the fairways in a way that shows the highs and lows of life on tour as a caddy. From the humour of the tricks that caddies play on each other to the seriousness of having your livelihood curtailed through a simple accident. A good read.


Hole In One, 14 May 2007
This is a very insightful book that contains plenty of useful info to improve all aspects of your game. The layout of this book is superb - very clear, easy to understand and colourful. It is easy to pick an area you want to read up on thanks to the simple chaptering and page layout. There are literally hundreds of full colour photos to show you the correct techniques from several angles. The book is very well written and has a very user-friendly and personal approach to it. As well as the many guides and tips, Tiger also talks about his own experiences as a player, including the mistakes he's made (yes, even the best in the world can make mistakes from time to time!) and the things he has learnt himself. Most golf guides can be overly complex or the pictures don't seem to relate to the description (usually because they're not very clear). No such problems with this book - I can't emphasise enough just how clear and easy to use this book really is.

Ideal for verying levels of skill, from beginner through to good ametuer players, this is a perfect book to help improve your game no matter what level you play at - and you can't get a better teacher than the best golf player in the world! This is without a doubt the best golf guide I have ever come across and comes highly recommended.

Excellent instructions, 14 Dec 2004
The book starts off with a foreword written by Earl Woods that is quite interesting and a look into Tiger's young years. The book is filled with instructions for the all round game including fitness and mental, this is a great book and well worth a look. I have learnt alot from this book and Tiger's tales when he is on the course and off. This is a great book to get hints on the way Tiger plays and thinks.

Tiger Watching: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance!, 03 Jul 2004
If you are like me, your golf swing will never be confused with Mr. Tiger Woods's magnificent arcs. On the other hand, I enjoy watching him on television (even a lot of nongolfers do, too), and How I Play Golf is a very valuable, detailed look a how he eats, exercises, practices, prepares mentally, thinks through shots, sets up, and executes. I found this book to be the most revealing look at one golfer?s game that it has ever been my pleasure to look at and read about. Even if I can never learn anything from his game, I will certainly watch his game with a more educated eye in the future!

One of my major complaints about the photographs in most golf books is that the images do not illuminate what the text describes. These photographs are both well coordinated with the text, and easy to evaluate from an amateur perspective. I especially enjoyed seeing the details of the different grips Mr. Woods uses. I got several ideas for experiments to try in order to cure faults in my swing with those grip examples.

Another complaint about books by famous golfers is that they encourage too many people to emulate them. Mr. Woods makes it clear that this is how he plays golf, and why. In several places, he points out that his solutions will not be right for you. On the other hand, he plays with a lot of amateurs in pro-ams and studies with top teaching professionals. From those perspectives, he has a lot to say for the amateur, weekend golfer.

A great strength of this book is that it shows you and describes each element of the game from many different perspectives. You often see very large color photographs, from different angles. In other places, the degree of grip pressure is explored in considerable detail, with useful calibrations to experience. The text also describes why one approach works in a given situation and another one does not. For example, there are almost as many illustrations of common faults as of proper practice and performance. Seeing the ?wrong? and the ?right? side-by-side makes the message much clearer. In a few places, Mr. Woods also explains how his special physical skills permit him to do things that won?t work for very many other people. For example, he can feel the degree of ?squareness? of the club head as it approaches the hitting zone and can make fine adjustments with his hands just before contact. He uses a grip that takes advantage of that talent. On the other hand, he cautions the reader to model the full swing on a golfer who has a similar physique and stature to oneself.

The book contains a lot of sound advice of the sort that you would eventually pick up by reading about 50 issues of Golf Digest. Those who want to see basics outlined all in one place will like this book. It has a lot of the richness of a Dave Pelz book, but is simplified to make the material easier to absorb and remember.

I also liked the way that key points are repeated throughout the book, in order to help drive them home.

Having watched a lot of Mr. Woods's tournament rounds, I was pleased to see that he used many references to shots that I remember to make certain points. I was particularly impressed by his assessment that he seldom hits a "perfect shot" in remembering only one in the 12 tournaments he won in 2000.

Perhaps the most interesting advice in the book is to swing at only 80 percent of the effort you can make.

I have always found that it makes sense to build my game from the putting green back towards the tee. I was delighted to see that this book takes the same approach. Naturally, you will be tempted to skip ahead to the "blast away with the driver" sections, but do read all of the book. There's lots of good information here. I have played with a number of pros who love to hit their drivers from the fairway. Imagine my fascination when I saw that the book has a section on how to do that.

If you are like me, you will come away with increased respect for the dedication that it has taken to develop this amazing level of skill and coolness. As Mr. Woods says, there are no short cuts. In fact, he has added a lot of discipline since first winning on the tour at 21.

No matter what happens to you on the course, or in life . . . keep your chin up and relax!

Tiger Watching: Lessons in Patience and Perseverance!, 06 May 2004
If you are like me, your golf swing will never be confused with Mr. Tiger Woods's magnificent arcs. On the other hand, I enjoy watching him on television (even a lot of nongolfers do, too), and How I Play Golf is a very valuable, detailed look a how he eats, exercises, practices, prepares mentally, thinks through shots, sets up, and executes. I found this book to be the most revealing look at one golfer’s game that it has ever been my pleasure to look at and read about. Even if I can never learn anything from his game, I will certainly watch his game with a more educated eye in the future!

One of my major complaints about the photographs in most golf books is that the images do not illuminate what the text describes. These photographs are both well coordinated with the text, and easy to evaluate from an amateur perspective. I especially enjoyed seeing the details of the different grips Mr. Woods uses. I got several ideas for experiments to try in order to cure faults in my swing with those grip examples.

Another complaint about books by famous golfers is that they encourage too many people to emulate them. Mr. Woods makes it clear that this is how he plays golf, and why. In several places, he points out that his solutions will not be right for you. On the other hand, he plays with a lot of amateurs in pro-ams and studies with top teaching professionals. From those perspectives, he has a lot to say for the amateur, weekend golfer.

A great strength of this book is that it shows you and describes each element of the game from many different perspectives. You often see very large color photographs, from different angles. In other places, the degree of grip pressure is explored in considerable detail, with useful calibrations to experience. The text also describes why one approach works in a given situation and another one does not. For example, there are almost as many illustrations of common faults as of proper practice and performance. Seeing the “wrong” and the “right” side-by-side makes the message much clearer. In a few places, Mr. Woods also explains how his special physical skills permit him to do things that won’t work for very many other people. For example, he can feel the degree of “squareness” of the club head as it approaches the hitting zone and can make fine adjustments with his hands just before contact. He uses a grip that takes advantage of that talent. On the other hand, he cautions the reader to model the full swing on a golfer who has a similar physique and stature to oneself.

The book contains a lot of sound advice of the sort that you would eventually pick up by reading about 50 issues of Golf Digest. Those who want to see basics outlined all in one place will like this book. It has a lot of the richness of a Dave Pelz book, but is simplified to make the material easier to absorb and remember.

I also liked the way that key points are repeated throughout the book, in order to help drive them home.

Having watched a lot of Mr. Woods's tournament rounds, I was pleased to see that he used many references to shots that I remember to make certain points. I was particularly impressed by his assessment that he seldom hits a "perfect shot" in remembering only one in the 12 tournaments he won in 2000.

Perhaps the most interesting advice in the book is to swing at only 80 percent of the effort you can make.

I have always found that it makes sense to build my game from the putting green back towards the tee. I was delighted to see that this book takes the same approach. Naturally, you will be tempted to skip ahead to the "blast away with the driver" sections, but do read all of the book. There's lots of good information here. I have played with a number of pros who love to hit their drivers from the fairway. Imagine my fascination when I saw that the book has a section on how to do that.

If you are like me, you will come away with increased respect for the dedication that it has taken to develop this amazing level of skill and coolness. As Mr. Woods says, there are no short cuts. In fact, he has added a lot of discipline since first winning on the tour at 21.

No matter what happens to you on the course, or in life . . . keep your chin up and relax!

Learn from the best, 30 Jul 2003
Tiger has changed the way that golf is played all over the world and this book covers all aspects of Wood's game and attitude. Unkile most golf instruction books that aim on giving the weekend golfer more power and distance, this books begins with the short game and putting. In this book, Tiger trys to show the average golfer how he learnt to be the best. The book not only contains excellent advice but brillant graphics and pull-out pages for clearer demonstrations on the swing. Tiger also gives an insight into how he became not only the best golfer but the fittest golfer. From the book it is clear how dedicated the Tiger is and will truly help all levels of golfer abd his an enjoyable read.

Gets to the FEELINGs, 13 Nov 2008
This book excels in getting to the heart of HOW to swing the club. It is not JUST about the 4 Magic Moves - but they are the cornerstone. So many golf books are about the technicalities of the swing - and they are no doubt technically correct more often than not - pretty good at telling you WHAT to do but often far too short on the HOW to do it. So thanks to Mr Dante for stripping things down to a kind of bare minimum. It has really changed the way I look at the swing and this has improved my game significantly. At least now I seem to have a clue as to what, why and HOW to swing - including what feelings I should be looking for. With the 4 magic moves (with my own personal modifications along the way ... and with some solid practice) I have been quickly able to improve the solidity of my hits. Within weeks my 6-iron now goes 5-iron distance and over the last few months my handicap has come down from 15 to 12 - all in large part I believe thanks to Mr Dante pointing me in a new (and I believe correct) direction. The book has its flaws (the pictures and layout are a bit old fashioned (but for me that in no way detratced from its interest)) and I am not fully convinced by ALL of the pointers. But he has made me look at the swing in a totally different "feel" type of way. The focus on a handful of "Magic Moves" really helped me develop my swing thoughts and swing in a different, more simplified, way - kind of focussing on the "essence" of the swing. And for the first time in my golfing life I really felt that I understood what was going on in the swing instead of it being that "grey blur".

What also helped cement the solidity of his advice for me was that I noticed that the technicalities that underly what Mr Dante is saying lined up almost exaclty with Nick Faldo's book (Golf - the Winning Formula (an excellent tech ref based on Nick's swing rebuild by David Leadbetter)). The problem I have with Nick's book is the overwhelming amount of info - all no doubt technically correct - but a bit too hard to take on board as there are no clear "hooks" to hang it all on.

Do not look at the 4 Magic Moves as an absolute golfing bible where you must do exactly what it says - I would suggest that you use it to help you change the way you view the swing, to strip away the complexities to a simpler level with a few key moves around which you can build and develop an improved swing.

So, a thousand thanks to Mr Dante.

Dante's "Magic" is teaching new tricks to old dogs., 28 Jun 1999
I went from a 3 handicap in high school to what G.P.Wodehouse describes as a "goof". When I couldn't play every day my game went to pot. I had never developed a solid swing that I could repeat time after time, I was clueless. I am now 41 years old and this book changed my life. Well, my golf life at least. I love the game again. Joe Dante teaches the "magic moves" in a way even I can understand and I'm a hardheaded old dog to whom new tricks are hard to teach.

The key to golf is delivering the club head to the ball square to the target (accuracy) while generating maximum club head speed (distance). Dante's early wrist break method is the key to consistent accuracy. His lateral hip shift is no secret to golf but it is the key to clubhead speed. The magic is that Dante teaches these moves in such a clear and concise way that, if you follow directions and practice his method, you will improve your golf swing and scores!

Outstanding insight into the fundamentals of a golf swing, 06 Jun 1999
I have read about every book on the golf swing. This one has changed my game forever. Other than Hogan's Five Fundamentals, I have never experienced such an immediate change in the way I swing the club than since reading this book. It was like a light went on and in a instant, I UNDERSTOOD the objective. I have read it dozens of times and bought more than one copy for friends. It examines many errors of teaching, and takes the reader to the "four magic moves" that must be mastered to create a repeating and efficient swing.

This book lit a fire in my and my love for the game, and the feeling that I can "get it", continues to burn.

I've been searching for this book since I lost mine in 1969., 02 Mar 1997
I purchased this book at a used book store in 1969. After reading it I loaned it to a friend who never returned it. As a beginner at the time, it helped me more than any other golf book, before or since. I've been searching for another copy of the book in bookstores, new and used, ever since. As a lark, I decided to check the Amazon list and sure enough there it is, having been republished. I am currently a nine handicapper, but I feel I still need to have this book again. I especially recommend it to beginners, but I believe experienced golfers will also benefit. I am ordering me another copy today.

1 step at a time!, 30 Dec 2008
If you do get this book take it very very slowly when putting it into practise. Although he is a successful coach his ideas on paper are actually quite confusing almost to the extent where if you read the whole chapter on chpping then went to hit a standard chip shot at your course you'd struggle to take the club back! With a 1 step at a time approach this book will benefit your game although it is a bit too self-congratulating for my liking; he isn't afraid to put across his belief that he is god's gift to the short game :-S....Much preferred Pelz' short game bible :-)

The Art of Piffle, 06 Nov 2008
Please avoid this product. The techniques are highly idiosyncratic and extremely unhelpful. One can easily see why two of the 'great' professionals who 'endorse' the book have now left this guy for more sensible golf short-game coaches...

Better than lessons from a Pro, 05 Sep 2008
This is the best Golf instruction book i have read. I am an average club player ( 11 handicap )but have always found the short game a struggle.

If you lack confidence in chipping or Bunker play this book is a must buy.

If you still can`t play out of bunkers after reading this book i suggest you give up golf . From being fearful of every bunker shot as i would either thin it 50 yards over the green or leave it in the bunker i would now rather be in the bunker than the rough.

This book is nicely written without being too technical even though you might need to re-read a couple of chapters before it sinks in i can assure you that his concepts are easy to understand and priceless.

A must have book for the club golfer.


Great golf short game coaching manual , 21 Oct 2007
One of the very best golf instructions books.Utley's methods are tried and tested on tour - he coaches a number of top players solely on their short game.If you have ever wondered what coaches are telling tour players who feel the need to improve then its all here. There could be a few more pictures and mainly text, but Utley puts it all across very well.Approach taken is not heavy and scientific like Pelz and is a lot easier to implement.If you are serious about improving your golf, then forget the latest drivers and balls and shafts and trying to blast it 20 yards further - from 100 yards and in is where it really counts.
I have already improved my touch around he greens and Im controlling the ball better - and understanding why - after a few weeks.

A great scientific study reported way beyond it's worthy date, 13 Apr 2007
I must point out that I'm a scientist (a couple of degees in physics) and held-out high-hopes for this book based on its reviews). This book is based on empirical evidence from, amongst other events, several professional tournaments. It is quite dated but I suspect not much has changed. It draws several interesting conclusions including the one that putting doesn't really matter so long as you can send your ball close to the hole. It suggests that (and this was many years ago) that developing a rescue-type club (with a heavy and smooth sole) would be a major benefit to most hackers such as myself. Fascinating reading and worth every penny. It features several early photos that are worth their weight in gold to demonstrate how some of the myths of instruction are counter productive (keep your head still etc). It isn't really a book on golf instrction because it separates inputs from outcomes and in this way it is brilliant. I am reading this book in parallel with "Swing like a pro". The differences are wide, and the outcomes (from a hacker's viewpoint) favour history by some margin, but SLaP has some golden niggets conceadled within.

BEGINNERS START HERE, 18 Apr 2003
Being new to golf in practice, I have listened to club golf instructors, freinds and read different articles. Ben Hogan's book is the first I have read which explains more than just the mere mechanics. This book is excellent for the beginner or novice golfer (having not had the chance to gain a lot of bad habits?)
I have found a lot of fundamental flaws in my play and gained more confidence as a result of reading and practicing the techniques in this book.

The definitive text, 26 Mar 1999
When I worked at Ping 27 years ago -- when Ping was single-handedly revolutionizing the golf industry -- this was the only book I remember seeing in Karsten's office. That should tell you something. I read it about six times. It is fascinating and full of weird insights that I still manage to work into conversations today.

This is the mother of all golf books., 29 Sep 1998
Search for the Perfect Swing is the most definitive book written on what actually happens when a golf club is put in motion.Read this book and then go into your local golf retail shop or just listen at your favorite local course to the ridiculous explainations and profound words of wisdom people perpetuate about the golf swing and its effects on the golf ball and its intended target.Best fast fact-FYIO-ball and club stay in contact for 1/2millisecond(.0005).HHmmm, that doesnt seem like we can have much effect after impact- FYIO-fact#2-"in any full shot,acceleration through impact is a sure sign of wasted effort which could have been used to produce greater speed at impact if it had been applied earlier."I know my pro told me to accelerate to a full finish.-Honestly, the book is a must for serious golfers or anyone looking to have the golf swing explained without the myths-9 out of 10 golf pros dont recommend this book-I wonder why?

This is the clearest book on the engineering physics of golf, 10 Dec 1997
I have a first edition of this book. It is a very clear and pratical explaination of what happens in the golf swing and what you can and can not do to change your game. My favorate part is a series of photos of Ben Hogan's swing. This is a very good book for the person interested in learning more about the mechanics on the swing and club design. Many ideas outlined in this book in 1968 have just come into the equipment market market in the past few years.

Help full book even for a dummy, 17 May 2007
I have read several of the for dummies books and they have all been very good. But this one i thought was very good the author is quite funny which is refreshing, plus it really did improve my game. But another great place for golf advice and tips is www.advice4men.co.uk check it out help me a lot.

A Decent Introduction For The Beginner, 30 Jun 2006
As a relatively new golfer I found this book a good introduction to the game. The authors humour throughout makes the book comfortable reading. There were chapters I skipped (Top 10 woman golfers for instance) while others made great reading (rules of the game for instance). Some of the chapters about improving your play are chapters I'll come back to later.

Overall a decent introduction to the game. 8/10.

A big disappointment., 12 Aug 1999
I was expecting a book with good helpful tips for learning how to play this game. I tired of reading about all the tournaments the author had been in or who he knew in the golf world. Half the book was wasted on golf information that have no place in an instructional manual. Some factoids were interesting, most were trivia. A big disappointment--I would not recommend it to the beginning golfer. Most of the book is a waste of time.

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