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I have given it to all of my friends as they start playing golf. This the the one book all new golfers, and many long time golfers, should read. It is a wonderful collection of examples and reasons that we should love the GAME that golf is and not be tied up in scoring well all the time.
Then I read "Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect". I concentrated strictly on my target and visualized what I wanted to produce. NOTHING HAD CHANGED. I really did have fun.During the winter, I will re-read this book and hopefully my game will continue to improve. I relaxed and promised myself to have fun. It was similar (to me) as Zen Golf but it really reinforced the mental aspects of the game. Most of my scores this year were from 82-92 but I was hitting the ball inconsistently. I have worked on fixing that swing (and some other faults)for many hours.
Also, I had fun this time. And I sure wasn't having any fun.Then I decided to concentrate on the short game and the mental game. Still shooting for that single digit HC.This book may not be for everyone. Golf was starting to become work.
But old habits are hard to break and I fell back into working/changing my swing. But the harder I worked on my swing, the worse my scores. It was if it was subliminal and automatic. I am still at a 12 HC, but it had risen to 14 over the fall months due to my swing change. If for nothing else, it will show you how to have more fun with your game.
Also had 30 putts with a brand new (never used) putter. If you read it with an open mind and apply the principles, it may really help lower your scores. I videotaped my swing back in July and found that I had a very flat swing. It was 37-40* with a 15 mph wind. Again, all by concentrating strictly on the target. I know that changing your swing can take months of practice, but this didn't even feel right. I shot my best ever "76" with (3) birdies, (7) pars, (8) out of 13 fairways and (8)GIR. Usually,at address, I have ten different thoughts racing through my mind, but these last two rounds, I let them all go.But the funny thing is that I didn't have to "work" at letting the thoughts go.
The more I worked, the worse I got; but even though my scores were rising, I felt that my swing improved.until I videotaped myself again. But more importantly I did enjoy these last two rounds. I didn't concern myself with the swing other than try and make it smooth and easy. I dismissed all negative thoughts; as the book states, "if your last thought before you swing is 'I hope I don't hit it into the water', then you can probably bet it will go there".I literally let go of all other thoughts, just as the book suggests. I even had a 35 yard chip-in.I was shocked at how well I hit the ball. If you have been struggling with your game you may want to give this book a chance. My irons were excellent as I placed many shots within 10-15 feet of the pin.The next round 12/28, same course, I used the same mental techniques.
My goal,this year, was to break 80 and eventually have a single digit HC. but my swing was much better and smoother. I had no tension and didn't "fight" the course or my swing. I really believed that my swing was better, but it was almost exactly the same.Years ago I was a 12HC with my lowest round being an 81. One of my best shots was a 185 yard, up-hill, into the wind approach shot (5 iron) that hit the green. I didn't worry about anything but a nice smooth swing with all my attention on the target. I read ZEN golf (in September) which was very good and when I applied the theory's, I did better.
My first round after reading the book was an 84.
Though I haven't put it to practice yet, I know it will help my game. to bring home the real purpose. Easy to read. Well worth the reading. Already picked up his other book on putting. Most of these type of books generally raise the awareness of common sense like focus on the target, etc. Common themes that help focus on the essentials, allowing it to sink in. This book provides good testimonials, examples, etc.
I'd highly recommend the book to anyone struggling with their golf game. This item was as described by the seller and came within the time promised. Best of all, it was exactly the book I needed.
My wife even comented after the round about how relaxed I appeared and how well my shots looked compared to past rounds. We would highly recommend this book to anyone who has frustrations and wants to put the fun back into their game.I was doing some struggling but I applied what I read in the first third of the book to my rather static game , shaved 3 strokes off my next round and enjoyed the round more than any thus far this year. This is not a book intended to teach swings, strokes, putts or the mechanics of golf.It is however a fantastic book relegated to the mental aspects of the game from our personal level. As he states, there is no magic to the common sense he applies, it is just raising our awareness of how not to beat ourselves up over the less than perfect shots.Very readable at 222 pages.
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