For someone picking up golf for the very first time, it is helpful, but it is not the end-all-be-all instruction. Helps just get basic fundamentals down like grip.
Cautious-Raccoon-364
It will add about 5 strokes. It will only make sense 2 years later, then it will take off 10+. I’ve just hit the 10+ phase…
No-Impact1573
I treat it as a reference book for swing thoughts on the range. This book has definitely helped my long – mid iron play.
throwaway1045820872
Generally a solid book. There’s some stuff in it (such as his elbow position at setup) that isn’t necessarily in line with the modern day “ideal”, but for the most part it’s sound technique.
Marksaheel
It’s the one text that should be read by any golfer imo. I’ve played 40+ years and successfully coached as well. This and Golf is Not a Game of Perfect were the 2 most helpful books I’ve read whatever your level
Intheswing
Not many if you don’t practice daily. Given time you will fall back to your old habits if you don’t practice daily
Melanoma_Magnet
Some of the tips particularly for setup are still really good. I recently started doing the upper arm and elbow setup that the book talks about and it’s been a game changer for me
avidoktorov
Helped me when I first started! Doesn’t hurt going over solid techniques.
scottiedagolfmachine
Not that many, if any, at all.
this_my_sportsreddit
Listen to this book far more than any swing advice on this sub. In fact, take no swing advice from this sub whatsoever. This sub is not a collection of PGA teaching professionals, it’s just guys who like golf and have internet access.
LAzeehustle1337
0
VonHinterhalt
It introduced concepts like swing plane, shallowing, etc. so it’s important reading for a serious golfer. But honestly most people will actually improve with a coach not a book. Still worth reading.
Intelligent-Search88
The book won’t take any strokes off your game, it’s what you take from it and how you apply it. More to your point, if you’re fighting a hook and looking to move to a fade this will serve as a good guide. If you’re looking to draw or focus more on managing trajectory, there are probably better options out there.
bytor99999
It probably would do more harm as when you hit the ball with the book, it won’t go farther than any other club in your bag.
Muddlesthrough
If you are less than a 15-handicap, like 1. If more than 15, it will probably add strokes.
tth2000
If you can do exactly as written you can play golf for a living.
kidyus
Depends on how long it takes you to read
Few-Candle102
If you usually shoot 100+ you have the potential to take off more strokes than if you usually shoot 75+. How’s that?
Famous-Basket-3743
Depends. Confirm you can read?
NoMoreHoarding69
I mean it worked for him, as far as the actual swing goes, I imagine if you can emulate it, change nothing , it’ll probably work for you.
Never read the book, but I would Imagine it has mental aspects as well? Those again, would help I imagine.
nateblack
The Reddit echo chamber that’s never read the book will say this is only good if you’re fighting a hook but there’s so much more in the book. There’s a lot of basics like grip, foot positions, address but a ton of mental tips on how to play. Knowing nothing about your swing or ability to read I will confidently state this book will take 30-50 strokes off your score.
mullrainee
This book was incredibly informative for me but also caused me to completely overthink over the ball for the first 10 rounds of this year. Then it kind of worked?
simpletonius
That’s the only golf lesson I’ve ever had. Took 50 years for it to take hold.
ugon
54
cbus6
Great book- especially the grip! Like anything- the More u practice better u get.
BGOG83
Too, muhbe tree uh dem….
ButterscotchObvious4
It’s not perfect by any means, as I believe golf mechanics are unique to the individual. But, it gets one understanding how a golf swing functions in unison. It should be required reading for anyone starting out.
As for shaving strokes, it won’t really teach out course management, but your ball striking will likely improve if you practice its teachings.
Dtown19
Is there an audiobook version? I don’t want to actually read anything since I’m looking for the easy way to shave strokes
mvhuynh
Maybe the best book for me was “golf is not a game of perfect.”
There is the mechanical golf philosophy and then the non mechanical golf philosophy.
I noticed for myself that when I think about straight left arm, hips, etc. I play the worst golf. The Glass pane was somewhat helpful for me. However, years later I realized you’re supposed to go over the Glass pane a little on the back swing and just a little under on the down swing and not try to stay under the whole time – this caused me to have a mysterious persistent hook.
Worried-Celery-2839
I’m happy to 3 putt
Seabass_Says
The stance part really helped me
69strokess
Good book. Jack Nicklaus Golf My Way is still my fave.
Jack taught me how to hit draws and fades before instructors started overthinking with club path stuff
Habitualflagellant14
Only if you read the titanium edition.
Crazy-Bison-5421
I read this when I was a teenager. I went from averaging 90 to averaging just under 80 the next year. The lessons stick to me to this day. It’s a great book on the fundamentals of the game.
Lowlife_4evr
I was a scratch golfer partly due to that book.
CriticalAd2425
This book as well as Jack Nicklaus’ “Golf My Way” are how I learned as a kid. The books are total opposites, and I don’t know how I managed to become better. An in person lesson from a good teacher will benefit you more. No one is swinging the way they think they are!
Apart-Start6133
Book today.
Scratch golf tomorrow. 👍🏼
Slob_King
I read it when I was first getting serious and it absolutely took 5-10 strokes off my game by giving me a solid foundation to reach a repeating swing
NativeAz53
Best ever book written about the golf swing. I still read it often. It never get old
rueggy
Book wasn’t helpful. Im more of a visual learner I guess. Having someone describe in print how to play golf, using old school diagrams, didn’t click for me.
SquirrelFluffy
Biggest thing… You dig it out of the dirt. You go to the range and you try different things till you figure out something that works for you and then you try other things to make the ball move around.
I love the book!.
BigBubbaChungus
It added 6-7 to mine and then I gave up!
DriverWedge3Putt
Spend $15 on Monte’s No Turn Cast, it’s like a FF button vs going through other instruction avenues
43 Comments
For someone picking up golf for the very first time, it is helpful, but it is not the end-all-be-all instruction. Helps just get basic fundamentals down like grip.
It will add about 5 strokes. It will only make sense 2 years later, then it will take off 10+. I’ve just hit the 10+ phase…
I treat it as a reference book for swing thoughts on the range. This book has definitely helped my long – mid iron play.
Generally a solid book. There’s some stuff in it (such as his elbow position at setup) that isn’t necessarily in line with the modern day “ideal”, but for the most part it’s sound technique.
It’s the one text that should be read by any golfer imo. I’ve played 40+ years and successfully coached as well. This and Golf is Not a Game of Perfect were the 2 most helpful books I’ve read whatever your level
Not many if you don’t practice daily. Given time you will fall back to your old habits if you don’t practice daily
Some of the tips particularly for setup are still really good. I recently started doing the upper arm and elbow setup that the book talks about and it’s been a game changer for me
Helped me when I first started! Doesn’t hurt going over solid techniques.
Not that many, if any, at all.
Listen to this book far more than any swing advice on this sub. In fact, take no swing advice from this sub whatsoever. This sub is not a collection of PGA teaching professionals, it’s just guys who like golf and have internet access.
0
It introduced concepts like swing plane, shallowing, etc. so it’s important reading for a serious golfer. But honestly most people will actually improve with a coach not a book. Still worth reading.
The book won’t take any strokes off your game, it’s what you take from it and how you apply it. More to your point, if you’re fighting a hook and looking to move to a fade this will serve as a good guide. If you’re looking to draw or focus more on managing trajectory, there are probably better options out there.
It probably would do more harm as when you hit the ball with the book, it won’t go farther than any other club in your bag.
If you are less than a 15-handicap, like 1. If more than 15, it will probably add strokes.
If you can do exactly as written you can play golf for a living.
Depends on how long it takes you to read
If you usually shoot 100+ you have the potential to take off more strokes than if you usually shoot 75+. How’s that?
Depends. Confirm you can read?
I mean it worked for him, as far as the actual swing goes, I imagine if you can emulate it, change nothing , it’ll probably work for you.
Never read the book, but I would Imagine it has mental aspects as well? Those again, would help I imagine.
The Reddit echo chamber that’s never read the book will say this is only good if you’re fighting a hook but there’s so much more in the book. There’s a lot of basics like grip, foot positions, address but a ton of mental tips on how to play. Knowing nothing about your swing or ability to read I will confidently state this book will take 30-50 strokes off your score.
This book was incredibly informative for me but also caused me to completely overthink over the ball for the first 10 rounds of this year. Then it kind of worked?
That’s the only golf lesson I’ve ever had. Took 50 years for it to take hold.
54
Great book- especially the grip! Like anything- the More u practice better u get.
Too, muhbe tree uh dem….
It’s not perfect by any means, as I believe golf mechanics are unique to the individual. But, it gets one understanding how a golf swing functions in unison. It should be required reading for anyone starting out.
As for shaving strokes, it won’t really teach out course management, but your ball striking will likely improve if you practice its teachings.
Is there an audiobook version? I don’t want to actually read anything since I’m looking for the easy way to shave strokes
Maybe the best book for me was “golf is not a game of perfect.”
There is the mechanical golf philosophy and then the non mechanical golf philosophy.
I noticed for myself that when I think about straight left arm, hips, etc. I play the worst golf. The Glass pane was somewhat helpful for me. However, years later I realized you’re supposed to go over the Glass pane a little on the back swing and just a little under on the down swing and not try to stay under the whole time – this caused me to have a mysterious persistent hook.
I’m happy to 3 putt
The stance part really helped me
Good book. Jack Nicklaus Golf My Way is still my fave.
Jack taught me how to hit draws and fades before instructors started overthinking with club path stuff
Only if you read the titanium edition.
I read this when I was a teenager. I went from averaging 90 to averaging just under 80 the next year. The lessons stick to me to this day. It’s a great book on the fundamentals of the game.
I was a scratch golfer partly due to that book.
This book as well as Jack Nicklaus’ “Golf My Way” are how I learned as a kid. The books are total opposites, and I don’t know how I managed to become better. An in person lesson from a good teacher will benefit you more. No one is swinging the way they think they are!
Book today.
Scratch golf tomorrow. 👍🏼
I read it when I was first getting serious and it absolutely took 5-10 strokes off my game by giving me a solid foundation to reach a repeating swing
Best ever book written about the golf swing. I still read it often. It never get old
Book wasn’t helpful. Im more of a visual learner I guess. Having someone describe in print how to play golf, using old school diagrams, didn’t click for me.
Biggest thing… You dig it out of the dirt. You go to the range and you try different things till you figure out something that works for you and then you try other things to make the ball move around.
I love the book!.
It added 6-7 to mine and then I gave up!
Spend $15 on Monte’s No Turn Cast, it’s like a FF button vs going through other instruction avenues