Book Description
"Jim Hardy is the most knowledgeable teacher in golf. This extraordinary book will be the most revolutionary instructional book since Ben Hogan's Five Lessons."
--Peter Jacobsen, Seven-time PGA Tour event winner
Voted one of "America's 50 Greatest Teachers" by Golf Digest and ranked in the "Top 100 Teachers" list of Golf magazine, Jim Hardy is a veritable scholar of swing. He's been fixing the swings of professional and amateur golfers since 1977, and in The Plane Truth for Golfers, he makes his groundbreaking concepts available to you for the first time.
Hardy's revolutionary approach is simple: There are two sets of fundamentals to the swing, not one. There is the one-plane swing, for more athletic players, and the two-plane swing, suitable for players of all abilities. Understanding these concepts is crucial to your improvement, and Hardy breaks them down into easy-to-follow steps, complete with dozens of photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Good compliment to Hogans 5 fundamentals.......2007-07-25
I must admit that as I read this book I began to realize that Ben Hogan was only 90 percent correct. As a 50 year old golfer with a life time of bad techniques there was no way I could swing the club like a person in great shape who is flexible and doesn't have so many bad habits. I have always used a 2 plane swing and didn't realize it until now. I'm glad I bought this book together with Ben Hogan's book because it allows me to make the slight adjustments to my grip and stance that will provide me with the final answer to a consistent golf swing.
Complements the DVD.......2007-06-02
Jim Hardy teaches both the one and the two plane swings, but has a bias for the one plane. The eye opener to me was the distinct difference between the two, and the realization that I had, on my own and through lessons, incorporated some features of both into my swing. That is fatal for most swings, and it was for mine. After vacillating between the two for several weeks, I decided to go with the one plane. Hardy makes it clear that either swing is fine, discusses how to decide which is best for you, instructs in both, and gives drills for both. It really helps to have a pro help with either swing, but make sure you have a pro who fully understands and can teach the plane that you want. (You will learn enough from the book to evaluate your pro). The DVD set is a little wordy, but as a visual person, I find it more useful than the book.
Innovative Concept.......2007-05-04
The concept of different swing planes is a breakthrough for instruction on the golf swing. Jim Hardy is a very reputable golf instructor. I found the DVD set to be very professionally done, but to contain too much explanation. While there are a number of examples and demonstrations of the principles that are presented, after more than 30 minutes of viewing, I found it very difficult to remain attentive to Jim's talkative teaching style. My 2-star rating applies more to the method of presentation than to these remarkable concepts. Other more skilled golfers than I have told me that they LOVE the DVD series. I suspect that experienced, skilled students of this very demanding sport will too. As for me, a high handicapper who has been playing regularly for less than a year, I found it to be "too much".
It is the Plane Truth.......2007-04-07
I believe that Jim Hardy is deinately on to something here. I always struggled with golf instruction - some tips worked like a charm while others didn't seem like they belonged at all. Now I know why - I am a one planer and alot of insruction is based around the two plane swing. I now recognize the differences and can concentrate only on things that will "fit" my swing type. My improvement is progressing very nicely now. With all the conflicting instruction out there - you owe it to yourself to read this book or get the DVD's and get working on the right swing for you.
This is a must for any serious golfer........2007-03-22
This book explains the difference in the 2 and 1 plane swing. It lets you know that you cannot throw any golf swing tip into your swing. You need to know what type of swing you are learning so you can identify what you need to work on and how to work on it. The only draw back is the 2 plane swing is an old school 2 lane swing. Meaning that the small muscles(arms and hands) are used. There are 2 plane swings that involve more big muscles in todays time and age.
Book Description
Dr. Patrick Leonardi can show you the way to ultimate golf performance. He scores consistently in the sixties. He is not a low-to-mid handicap teacher like many golf instructors. He knows what it takes to shoot in the low sixties because he has done it. Shooting low scores do not have to be fantasy anymore. His techniques are easy to learn and will put more enjoyment back into your game. Whether you are a beginner or advanced golfer, male or female, this book can help you tremendously. With this best-selling book, you will learn:
The 8 essentials of the zero handicap or better golf swing, Proper course management that is easy and highly effective, The short game and long game routine of the zero handicap or better golfer, An innovative way to play the short game, What part of the green to hit to on approach shots depending on distance, How to practice most efficiently to become a zero handicap golfer or better, A foolproof way to figure out how far to hit shots crosswind, downwind & upwind, The mental aspect, common golf myths & prevention from injury, How to play your best in golf tournaments, Nutrition hints for helping your golf game, Which strength training exercises to use to increase clubhead speed even further and more...
Dr. Patrick Leonardi is an expert in golf instruction. His techniques have helped many golfers achieve their goals with more fun and less frustration. He has a goal of helping every golfer in the world play to his or her hidden potential.
Customer Reviews:
GOLF BOOK packed with Useful Techniques .......2005-12-10
MY WIFE AND I HAVE IMPROVED OUR GOLF GAME THROUGH THE USEFUL TECHNIQUES IN THIS GOLF BOOK AS FOLLOWS:
.....IMPROVED OUR GOLF SWING
AND GOLF SCORE
.....LEARNED NEW WAYS OF USING OUR GOLF CLUBS
.....ENHANCED OUR MENTAL OUTLOOK AND ATTITUDE
.....GAINED HEALTH AND EXERCISE TIPS
.....PREVENTION OF INJURIES ON THE GOLF COURSE
WE KNOW WE WILL KEEP USING THIS GUIDE TO CONTINUE
THE LOVE WE HAVE FOR PLAYING GOLF.
Excellent, Highly recommended!!!!.......2005-05-15
This book taught me how to score better.
I really liked the golf routine for the short game
that is explained. The techniques in this book are definitely
helpful. I'm now a much better golfer. I now can hit the ball
much further. The author really taps into the limitations that were holding me back to becoming a great golfer. There are water
hazards on the two par 3s of my home course. I'm no longer
afraid of hitting it in the water.
I have much more confidence before I hit a golf shot because
of what I learned from The Ultimate Golf Instruction Guide.
FABULOUS BOOK, my dream has come true!.......2005-04-13
The reasons why this book has awesome golf instruction:
The short game explained in the book makes so much sense. It is a very simple, yet highly and I mean highly effective. I get up and down more often now then ever. I even hole a few chips every now and then. [...] this book has unconventional golf techniques that are highly useful.
My greens in regulation percentage has improved from average of 27% per round to an average of 55% per round. This took me a period of about six months. This book is not another quick tip book. However, as soon as I started using these techniques, I hit the ball a lot more at my intended targets. It has golf techniques that actually give positive lasting effects. I been through a lot of golf books. Golf books usually don't give me lasting results. However, this one does. The best of what I learned from other golf instruction books is proper etiquette and why people slice or hook the ball.
My driving ability has only gotten better. Before reading this book, my fairways hit was 35%. Now after following his essentials of the zero handicap golfer, I now hit approximately 60% of the fairways. Leonardi's technique makes a lot of sense because he showed me how to get more power.
My driving distance has gone up. Before applying the techniques in this book, I had an average driving distance of around 225 yards. After applying the author's techniques, my drives now average in the 265 yard range. I'm amazed at how much power I was losing because I used to be using poor techniques before applying Leonardi's techniques. Now I don't get those up and down practice sessions at the range as I used to get. My practice sessions at the range are much more consistent. In fact, I continue to get better. For example, in the book, it says "slumps don't have to be a part of golf." I can say that the author knows what he is talking about. I don't shoot bad scores anymore.
The author's unique golf instruction is easy to follow. Yes, the book is unconventional. But it's unconventional in an exceptional way. This book is worth much more then $50 because now golf is a lot more satisfying. I used to only dream of what it would be like to score below 80. My dream is now a reality.
[...]the book looks different and to have an open mind. The different look of the book fits perfectly with the unique and exceptional technique given. Ten Stars. Enough said.
Different technique that works........2005-03-22
If you really apply the techniques in this book to your swing, you will see a big difference on where the ball goes. I liked the eight essentials of a zero handicap golfer or better that were described by the author. It's not just theory, the stuff really works and I found it easy to follow.
I apply his techniques to my golf swing and it makes me hit the ball much more consistently. It seems Leonardi has discovered how to put the pieces of a golf swing together into something that works time after time and round after round. The nutrition portion of this book was highly informative. I think I have more endurance on the golf course now because of it. The price of the book is well-worth it. Look how expensive getting golf lessons are these days. If you like books on financial advice, I recommend The Millionaire Mind by Thomas Stanley, interesting book. For example one interesting point Stanley makes is that many millionaires are golfers and that golfers are correlated with higher incomes.
An unorthodox approach in an unorthodox package.......2005-03-09
If you have an open mind, read this book.
I know the author -- and his claims are 100% true. He taught himself how to play golf and he regularly breaks 70 now. And, yes, many of his techniques and strategies go completely against the present-day conventional wisdom concerning the golf swing.
But think about this. Tens of thousands of golfers read books, buy videos, take lessons and then practice, practice, practice. If all the current teachings of the golf swing were so good, then why do so few of golfers EVER break 70? Or 80, for that matter?
Dr. Leonardi's techniques clearly work for him. There is nothing unusual about his physiology, so his techniques will certainly work for many golfers as well. Will his techniques work for everyone? Of course not. Then again, no other golf book or video can claim anywhere close to a 100% success rate.
Ignore the packaging. No, this book does not look slick. But who cares? It's the info that you're purchasing!
Book Description
Improve your swing with the teacher the pros trust:
"(Jim Hardy) was the one person who really had the greatest influence on me in terms of my teaching. Jim had such an incredible mind for the game of golf."
--From The Only Golf Lesson You'll Ever Need by Hank Haney, Tiger Woods' golf coach
"Jim Hardy is the most knowledgeable teacher in golf. No other instructor has his understanding of golf swing techniques and what makes them work.”
--Peter Jacobsen, Champions Tour player and winner of seven PGA Tour championships
If your shots are off target and your swing needs improving, you simply won't find a better fix than the powerful breakthrough techniques of Jim Hardy. Jim's smash bestseller, The Plane Truth for Golfers, introduced the revolutionary one-plane and two-plane swings to golfers and teaching pros around the world. It changed how players think about golf and how the game is taught.
In this exciting master class follow-up, he takes your swing to the next level, giving you in-depth instruction in how to execute both of these swings perfectly for on-target shots every time.
Jim shows you how to:
- Assume the proper stance and posture for each style
- Position and move your hips, shoulders, and torso correctly
- "Feel" the difference when you correct the faults in your swing
- Gain proficiency in your swing with detailed drills for both styles
He begins by giving you a review of the basics, outlining the one-plane and two-plane swings as he emphasizes his most crucial lesson: “All swings are either one- or two-plane actions, and to become good at golf you must work towards being a fundamental purist, only learning and employing those elements relative to your swing type.” With Jim's guidance, you'll first determine which swing type is right for you, then master your specialized swing. It's a powerful feeling when your body and arms are moving in total coordination with the club, and it can only happen once you master the art of the swing.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent follow up to the first book!.......2007-09-15
I have found Master Class to be an excellent follow up to the first book, The Plane Truth for Golfers. The first book lays the foundation for the two different types of golf swings, and Master Class takes you farther into the "how to's" of performing each swing. There are many more pictures in this second book demonstrating the necessary positions, and much information on the various faults for each swing and drills for how to correct them. Those that say that this book is repetitive information from the first book obviously have not read both books in detail. If you go to get a golf lesson, you don't get all of the information in the first or second lesson. That's the beauty of Mr. Hardy's teachings. He gives it to you in the proper sequence for learning it. His DVD's are excellent additions to the book that offer much more for the visual learner and also give you a glimpse into the genuine character of Mr. Hardy. There is no need for me to read any other instruction and my golf game is improving. So will yours.
The Plane Truth for Golfers Master Class.......2007-08-09
Excellent product and follow up to the original book by Jim Hardy. Well written, and gives good guides for some specific problems that players can encounter. A lot more drills than in the first book as well.
It does get more technical and slightly more complex to assimilate. Some of the things described are hard to visualize, and seem to moderately contradict some of the teachings in the first book, particularly in the use of the arms in the down swing.
Good To Know.......2007-06-01
I think it is a stretch to call this book the best one ever written on the full swing. That is too much of a blanket statement and the fact is that each golfer finds their own path to golf "enlightenment". I didn't find this book to be that much different from the Plane Truth for Golfers.
What has made me understand the difference between each swing is that there is a "Classic" swing and then there is the "Modern" swing. The classic swing is characterized by that Reverse C position caused by tilting. The modern swing is characterized by stable legs and more of a rotation of the body.
Very Nice Follow Up to Plane Truth for Golfers.......2007-05-31
I have the original Plane Truth and the DVD series. The Plane Truth Masters Class is an excellent follow up to these. I especially like the new and additional drills for each type of swing. In this book, Hardy breaks down the two swings in their own sections in the book with drill chapters that correspond to that swing type. This makes it easier for those who already know which swing type they are-
The Plane Truth for Golfers Master Class .......2007-05-21
Decent job of explaining the one and two plane swings. If you have read the first plane truth book, you really do not need to get this one. Some additional depth to the explanations, but not worth spending the additional money. If you are debating between the two books, get the first one.
Book Description
From the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed The Greatest Game Ever Played comes The Grand Slam, a riveting, in-depth look at the life and times of golf icon Bobby Jones.
In the wake of the stock market crash and the dawn of the Great Depression, a ray of light emerged from the world of sports in the summer of 1930. Bobby Jones, an amateur golfer who had already won nine of the seventeen major championships he'd entered during the last seven years, mounted his final campaign against the record books. In four months, he conquered the British Amateur Championship, the British Open, the United States Open, and finally the United States Amateur Championship, an achievement so extraordinary that writers dubbed it the Grand Slam.
A natural, self-taught player, Jones made his debut at the U.S. Amateur Championship at the age of 14. But for the next seven years, Jones struggled in major championships, and not until he turned 21 in 1923 would he harness his immense talent.
What the world didn't know was that throughout his playing career the intensely private Jones had longed to retreat from fame's glaring spotlight. While the press referred to him as "a golfing machine," the strain of competition exacted a ferocious toll on his physical and emotional well-being. During the season of the Slam he constantly battled exhaustion, nearly lost his life twice, and came perilously close to a total collapse. By the time he completed his unprecedented feat, Bobby Jones was the most famous man not only in golf, but in the history of American sports. Jones followed his crowning achievement with a shocking announcement: his retirement from the game at the age of 28. His abrupt disappearance from the public eye into a closely guarded private life helped create a mythological image of this hero from the Golden Age of sports that endures to this day.
Customer Reviews:
Not as good as "Greatest Game," but still a worthwhile read.......2007-07-22
Frost's follow-up effort to the outstanding "The Greatest Game Ever Played" - the movie adaptation of which will be released by Disney this fall - this meandering tale tracks the career of Bobby Jones, the greatest amateur golfer of all time, climaxing with his assault on the Grand Slam (back then, it was the US and British Open and Amateur titles) in 1930. After winning the Slam, Jones retired from tournament competition, at the age of 29. After reading Frost's harrowing account of his physical and mental anguish during the ordeal, you'll certain understand why.
Aesthetically, this book doesn't hold together nearly as well as "Greatest Game". Frost includes far too much "background" information (most of which is, quite honestly, common knowledge) about everything from the origins of World War I to the Scopes "Monkey Trial". The bits of early 20th-century lore than festooned the pages of "Greatest Game" were a welcome addition to the storyline, helping us to understand the time and place. Here, they are an annoying intrusion. Despite this unfortunate slip, Frost's prose is still enjoyable to read, and the story will be of interest to anyone who has an interest in the history of golf.
A good story of the life of Bobby Jones.......2007-05-14
Any golfer has heard about Bobby Jones, this book brings his life into focus for all of us. Bobby Jones played this game as an amateur and never was a professional golfer. He won many tournaments both here and in England as was able to afford this by the help of his father.
He was married and they lived with his parents as the many travels Bobby had to make playing golf, it made it handy for his family to be cared for. I was surprised that Bobby Jones had quite a temper and his language was not the best either. He tried to control this but he was such a prefectionist that whenever he made an error he let out his frustration this way.
This book covers all his winnings from a very young age until he won the Grand Slam with were all the big tournament in one year. A terrific feat that has not been done to this day. Until Tiger Woods did it but his was done covering from one year to the next.
If you love history and love golf, this book is worth the read.
Letta Meinen
A cherished read.......2006-09-10
By reading this book I began to admire Bobby Jones, not so much for his golf but for his character and his strength in making it to the end. It would have been a lot easier for him in a folklore sense if he had died young instead of being tortured with a crippling, painful disease that challenged him physically and was a test to him mentally and emotionally. I admire that he never hid himself away like so many famous people do that want to be remembered as they "were". I believe that this is the most admirable thing about him. That and his willingness to serve in WWII, landing on the same beach the day after D-Day. Not just a "for show" tour of duty. His devotion to his family, his country and his friends and his hometown are quite amazing. He is a role model in many ways that I don't even think of golf as one of them but for his tenaciousness, his intellect, his well roundedness and his extreme graciousness. He could have derailed many times but he never did in life. It's a loss that there isn't more to read about his life to know how he managed to adjust to everyday life and his illness, how he kept putting one foot in front of the other. The criticism seems unjust re: Chick Evans, Jones was very kind in all his correspondence to him which I have read in other books. Also, so much is made of his temper which he defends and explains in "Down the Fairway" by Jones, as not worse than any other player of the time and shortlived as a childish display that was never witnessed again at least publically for the rest of his life. Bobby Jones accomplished an amazing number of feats that most of us would feel proud to do even one of such as the many languages he spoke, the degrees, his many intellectual skills, a good family man and most of all his grace in a life.
Interesting insights on Jones.......2006-08-26
Most sports fans have heard that Jones won the Grand Slam, but few (including myself) realize the temper that Jones had or how the quest to win ate him up. Also the story of his later life was unknown to me as well.
Not just a golf story an excellent Historical Narrative .......2006-08-22
Historical Narrative in the spirit of Seabiscuit or Jeff or Michael Shaara's works. Excellent story interwoven with the characters, times, and actions that surrounded Bobby Jones.
Book Description
The acclaimed author of Back Rx and Arthritis Rx (more than 50,000 combined copies in print) returns with the first book fully devoted to improving your golf game and reducing pain.
Many recreational and professional golfers suffer from some form of lower back pain. Conventional wisdom suggests that the violent, twisting nature of the golf swing, which puts undue stress on the spine, is the sole culprit. But research conducted by sports-medicine specialist Vijay Vad, M.D., with PGA Tour pros, recently published in the prestigious American Journal of Sports Medicine, reveals that the swing is only one of several factors. Applying Dr. Vad's winning combination of mind/body wisdom and medical expertise to the game of golf, Golf Rx shares his cutting-edge findings and addresses such topics as:
• The proper body mechanics for a stable golf swing
• Power tips to improve driving
• Eighteen essential stretches for eighteen holes
• Five-minute warm-up and cool-down routines
• Keeping an aging body in great shape
• Common golf injuries—and how to resume activity
• The Golf Rx exercise series
Combining the best of Pilates, golf-specific conditioning, and physical therapy, Dr. Vad's easy to follow exercise program contains three series that will speed recovery from the most common golfers' injuries, help reduce future injuries, and enhance performance by building swing specific flexibility, strength, stamina, and balance.
Customer Reviews:
A good addition to your bookshelf!.......2007-08-25
Taking care of your body will ensure many more years of good golf. This book is a great start, with a simple 15 minute program to keep you (and your game) in good shape!
Invaluable for the aging golfer (and even the young ones).......2007-07-18
Unlike many such books, this one is excellent and serious. Follow Dr. Vad's strictures and you may yet live to shoot your age!
Golf Strength and Conditioning.......2007-06-15
It was a very easy read. Very little golf stuff but lots of easy exercises to do and could be done in under 20 minutes for better fitness. It has three levels of difficulties. Yes, to golf better, improve on strength and flexibility as the explosive force in a golf swing could result in injury if we are not properly conditioned, especially weekend warriors.
Book Description
Finally, a book that will boost the confidence of the new woman golfer, written by someone who knows how it feels! Packed with valuable information, helpful hints and clever illustrations, Feeling Naked on the First Tee explains parts of the game that other golf books don't talk about, in the language the beginner can understand. With this essential guide in hand, there's no need to feel self-conscious or intimidated on the golf course again!
Customer Reviews:
What an awesome tool!.......2007-10-02
Living in the desert southwest, I am constantly running into avid golfers. I am a busy mom of three young children and embarrassingly, I have never had time to learn the game of golf. Feeling Naked on the 1st Tee has totally given me everything I need to know and quick! Now I can get out there and look like a pro. How exciting! Thank you for this awesome tool!!
Very helpful first golf book.......2007-08-29
a handy little book with just the right approach for me, a woman without a lot of sports experience who has decided to take up what is probably one of the most challenging sports - really gave me the 'quick and dirty' on what to look for in equipment, the basic rules, the layout of a hole - and did it all with a sense of humor - highly recommend
New golfer age 65--ITS MY BIBLE.......2007-08-22
Got this as a gift-it was interesting--but as I started with lessons it became "MY BIBLE "-it cuts to the chase and simplifies the facts-what this book tells you certainly does help you to feel more informed on what you Need to know and what other golfers EXPECT you to know---I walk with more confidence about the course even though my striking of the ball is sometimes lacking--but with having this confidence I know my ball strokes will become better and better!!!!-hope to be a good golfer!!!!!
Thanks Ann Kelly--for having loved the game so much that you wanted to share it with others by easing those Jitters that even you must have once had
Thank you Ann Kelly!!.......2007-08-20
This is the perfect book for my wife who is just about to start playing golf. It will help anyone get over the intimidation factor that all golfers have felt. A very pleasant read and most informative.
Very funny.......2006-10-16
Just got this as a gift and it was great. It's a quick read, so just pick it up and enjoy!
Book Description
Golf: it’s that simple, and that bedeviling, and that’s what it comes down to when Charlie McLeod—having fled unspecified disaster back East—turns up at a golf club near San Francisco and is entranced again by a game that had defined him until, years ago, he had to give it up. Now he begins caddying, a job that respects every privacy and motivation, while wrestling with those things that had exiled him not only from the sport but from life itself.
In the profane, reassuring yet competitive world of the caddy shack, lost souls jostle for position, sometimes among well-heeled members, men whose passion for golf is often perverted by their own frustrations. What they revere in common, though, is the player whose mastery defies all understanding—and in this role Charlie will either find a new start or shatter everything once more.
A story of love, challenge, and redemption, a thrilling debut and an immediate classic of golf writing.
Customer Reviews:
Charlie McLeod is the middle-aged anti-hero.......2007-05-30
Writing a good sports novel requires an author who can traverse the delicate path between constructing a book for the rabid fan and one that appeals to the reader who simply appreciates fine writing. On occasion they successfully accomplish that task, and books such as SHOELESS JOE by William Kinsella and THE GREATEST PLAYER WHO NEVER LIVED by J. Michael Veron are the result. But more often than not, writers have difficulty maintaining that fine balance. This doesn't mean that the novels produced are not worthwhile; indeed my shelves are lined with many sports books that were simply enjoyable and entertaining reading experiences.
THE BACK NINE by Billy Mott comes a long way towards attaining that precise balance, though in the end, Mott tells his readers a little too much about golf and not quite enough about life.
Charlie McLeod is the middle-aged anti-hero searching for the lost glory of his youth. A quarter of a century ago the young man was a golfing prodigy, bringing the legendary Oakmont Country Club golf course (the site of the 2007 U.S. Open) to its knees. We meet Charlie as he arrives in San Francisco deciding that he can earn some money toiling as a caddy at an exclusive country club.
Mott is a part-time actor and full-time caddy, and his writing establishes both his respect for those who tote golf bags and his knowledge of the work involved. Through his eyes and pen we meet some veteran caddies and country club golfers, all of whom perfectly fit the stereotype of the social milieu they occupy.
We learn about Charlie and the events that shaped his life, but Mott tells readers very little about what life has done to the enigmatic main character. Charlie's father made him a golfer and a freak injury destroyed his career before it really began, but that's about all the pedigree we learn. You can't appreciate what a man accomplishes unless you know a bit more about the adversity that shapes his life. That history is missing from THE BACK NINE.
A sports novel requires as its bete noir, the ultimate contest, the climatic battle between teams or individuals that capture for readers the struggle that is life. Here, the contest is an 18-hole golf match between Charlie and the legendary Larry Siegel, a golf hustler who certainly would have been portrayed by the late Jackie Gleason in the movie version of this book. Before the match, however, Charlie must rekindle his skill and love for golf, and find some romance and tragedy to hone his character for the novel's denouement.
The match itself is spectacularly chronicled. Mott shows his love of golf and appreciation of what the game entails. Readers, even non-golfers, will appreciate the drama of the titanic struggle between golfers of great skill. It is eerily reminiscent of the battle between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at the 1977 British Open Championship in Turnberry, Scotland.
Golf fans will appreciate and hopefully understand many of Mott's subliminal historical golf references. But non-golfers also will appreciate a well-written and endearing novel that mixes elements of Rocky, Hoosiers and Field of Dreams. I am neither an entertainment authority nor a gambler, but I am willing to place a small wager that we will see THE BACK NINE at a movie theater near us in very short order.
--- Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman
A wonderful read.......2007-05-27
It takes Mott only 1 page to set the stage and draw the reader into his great story. He develops his charaters quickly, and masterfully...a simply wonderful read !
Excellent read.......2007-04-18
I thoroughly enjoyed Mott's story telling and his realistic characters. Mott has a skill for developing a sense of place, whether it is San Francisco, Pittsburgh or on the golf course.
Passionate.......2007-04-16
Successful debut from a novelist who has created real, flawed people worthy of our attention. A good read, and an interesting glimpse at an unfamiliar world. A tip of the cap to Billy Mott and The Back Nine.
Like Getting Good Wood.......2007-04-05
Terrific first novel from a man who obviously knows a lot about golf and about life.
Book Description
For the last decade, golfers of all abilities have been drawn to the writings and teachings of Bob "Doc" Rotella. His books Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect, Golf Is a Game of Confidence, The Golf of Your Dreams, and Putting Out of Your Mind have all become classics for golfers everywhere. Weekend golfers and pros like Brad Faxon, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Tom Kite, and Davis Love III all read and listen to the man they call Doc because his teachings are simple and direct -- and in the end, what Doc says makes them play better golf.
The Golfer's Mind was actually first suggested by Davis Love, Jr. -- Davis Love III's dad -- who encouraged Doc to write an instruction book on golf's mental challenges, organized by topic. Love thought that golfers could keep the book with them, or at least nearby, at all times. When they needed a refresher on a certain issue, they could consult the book, read for a few minutes, and take away solid guidance regarding their difficulties. Doc heard what Love said, and twenty years later, The Golfer's Mind is that book. From his Ten Commandments (Commandment I. Play to play great. Don't play not to play poorly) to just about any topic a golfer might imagine, this is the ideal way for players to get all of Rotella's teachings. Doc covers topics including:
- Butterflies
- Practicing to Play Great
- The Rhythm of the Game
- Routine
- Setbacks
- How Winning Happens
In the perfect format for the busy golfer, The Golfer's Mind is the concise and convenient quick-reference tool to appeal to Rotella's millions of followers and is sure to become a golf classic.
Customer Reviews:
golfer's mind.......2007-02-22
Very good, but too repetitive. I also read Fearless Golf by Gio Valiante which is a much better read with more meat in my opinion.
A great Mental aide.......2006-11-05
Since Golf is, in my opinion, a "mental" game, this book really helped me over the hurdles of negative thoughts. Took Dr. Rotella's "therapy" with me on the course......Truly, helped to improve my game I highly recommend it.
Read This Book Before The Big Match/Outing.......2006-05-11
I am not a distinguished golfer by any means, but I have an annual competitive golf trip with buddies that stirs my competitive juices at the start of the golf season. Rather than take a golf lessson (which would just confuse the heck out of me so close to competition), I bought and read this book. It made all the difference in the world as far as my mental attitude was concerned. I was able to keep a positive attitude after my (inevitable) poor golf shots, and I celebrated my good ones.
I loved his rule to "love your putter and wedge". In other words, to get enthusiastic about the opportunity to use both clubs. That mental attitude change made a huge difference in my short game.
This book also helped me give myself permission to play well. Too often, I would start a round hot and then fold under the pressure of a low scorecard. Dr Rotella helped me recognize this mental flaw and deal with it when it reared its head.
Let's be real here, this book is no substitute for talent and dedicated practice. But if you're tired of blowing up on the golf course and often harbor thoughts of abandoning your clubs on the bag drop rack, this book is for you. It will help you play to your true potential.
As for my golf outing, it was handicap adjusted, and I was the only guy to shoot under my index (by one stroke over three rounds), so I took home the trophy and some cash. For the 13 previous years that I attended, I never came close to winning. The difference was my mental attitude during the competition and my ability to deal with the pressure. For me, this book paid for itself, quite literally.
Great Book for any person wanting to play better golf........2006-03-21
This book is not a good book, it is a great book. It won't tell you how to mechannically play better golf but it will tell you the results of poor attitues and habits that we all have which limit our ability to play our best. I recomend this book to all those folks that throw clubs, spit nasty words, or just become slightly unnerved. There is more to this book than that but you will have to read it to find out.
service review.......2006-02-25
The product I ordered was in good condition as described, and arrived in a timely manner.
Average customer rating:
- Michael Murphy: Revolutionary Thinker
- An acidhead's philosophizing of golf
- The Classic Book That Started the Non-Mechanical Revolution
- Golf in space and time
- A small masterpiece about the game of life
|
Golf in the Kingdom (An Esalen Book)
Michael Murphy
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Motivational
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| African American
| Asian American
| Classics
| Collections & Readers
| Drama
| General
| Hispanic
| History & Criticism
| Humor
| Jewish American
| Letters & Correspondence
| Native American
| Poetry
| Short Stories
| Women Writers
General
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Faith
| Christian Living
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Psychology
| Golf
| Coaching
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Golf
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Health Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Fiction Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Nonfiction Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Sports Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Kingdom of Shivas Irons
-
Extraordinary Golf: The Art of the Possible
-
Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game
-
Extraordinary Putting: Transforming the Whole Game
-
The Inner Game of Golf
ASIN: 0140195491 |
Amazon.com
Esalen Institute founder Michael Murphy's divine meditation on the royal and ancient game defied categorization when it was first published in 1972, and it still does. Instantly hailed as a classic, Golf in the Kingdom is an altogether unique confluence of fiction, philosophy, myth, mysticism, enchantment, and golf instruction. The central character is a wily Scotsman named Shivas Irons, a golf professional by vocation and a shaman by design, whom Murphy, as participant in his own novel, meets in 1956 on the links of Burningbush, in Fife. The story of their round of golf together culminates in a wild night of whiskey and wisdom where, as Shivas demonstrates how the swing reflects the soul, their golf quite literally takes on a metaphysical glow. The events alter not only Murphy's game, but they also radically alter his mind and inner vision; it's truly unforgettable. For a golfer, Murphy's masterpiece is as essential as a set of clubs.
Book Description
The perennially bestselling golf title, Golf in the Kingdom, hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as the "masterpiece on the mysticism of golf," is a wonderfully told romp through the Scottish links, the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in the world where, truly, anything is possible. This audio discusses the essential deep truths about the game of golf and also expands on some new and extremely unique approaches to golf instruction.
John Hannah, an accomplished stage actor, has appeared on television and in the films Madagascar Skin, The Final Cut and Four Weddings and a Funeral. He has performed the audio production of Michael Murphy's The Kingdom of Shivas Irons, also available from BDD Audio.
Customer Reviews:
Michael Murphy: Revolutionary Thinker.......2007-09-26
I met Michael Murphy in the late 1960's. The charismatic leader of the human potential movement captured my attention and admiration immediately. Mr. Murphy was one of those characters who sparkle with mystical magic. His life reads like a calendar of magical events. At every turn he seems to either run into or encounter the most provocative people one can imagine: Steinbeck, Spiegelberg, Brodie, Price, Aurobindo, Thompson, Maslow, and many, many more.
With the publication of Golf in the Kingdom (His first book), he managed to create a new movement, which came to be known as The Sport and Yoga Movement. The book is a delightful integration of sport, mysticism, and yoga, with a whole lot of magic sprinkled between the lines. I am amazed at its dissenters and critics. It is not "junk" as some need to say. For those of you who say it is "not for golfers", I think I can safely assume that you are regularly shooting twenty to thirty over par. There are some that say that this is just another worn-out philosophical rag, trying to integrate what's common, and I would think for them mundane, with the paranormal and mystical energies that hover all around us. To them, I would say that there is a shread of truth to their thoughts. I would like to ask those people to provide me with any literary references, expousing this thesis, that pre-date Mr. Murphy's book. For those that claim that this is just another clever contrivance for making a quick buck, I would say you are about as far off the mark as those that dismiss the book as "junk". Mr. Murphy was born wealthy. At some point in his life he inherited a large sum of money, most of which he either donated or spent in efforts to enhance the human condition. When I met the man, I believe that it was in 1969, he was driving an aged 1962, six cylinder, stick shift Cheverolet. He had bought the car new, and at that time felt that he could get at least another ten years out of it.
Bravo, Michael. Bravo for Golf in the Kingdom, and bravo for a life well lived.
Ronald James
An acidhead's philosophizing of golf.......2007-06-27
This was Out There. I'm not sure if it is for burnout golfers or just burnouts. I don't think I would classify this as a sports book, more like bad philosophy. I couldn't even believe in the main character, Shivas, I was too aware of his being a mouthpiece for Murphy's attempts to revolutionize one's conceptualization of golf...or life...or something like that...I still don't know. What the heck was his point??
The Classic Book That Started the Non-Mechanical Revolution.......2007-03-29
Golf is a great sport - we all know that. But it's only been in the past couple of decades where we started to bring the focus back on the inner and spiritual qualities of the game - it's always been there but somehow we got distracted with the mechanics and competitive nature of the game. This book is THE classic, the one that started the revolution of mental and inner golf. It took me a while to get through it the first time, but after that, I would pick it up time and time again - it's THAT kind of a book. I highly recommend it.
Golf in space and time .......2007-01-29
Patrick Murphy was told he tries too hard and thinks too much when playing golf. On the North Sea in Fife there is an ancient golf course, a golf links. The author met a philosopher-poet on a golf course in Scotland in 1956.
In 1956 Michael Murphy was on his way to India to an ashram to visit the Indian seer, Aurobindo. His mental environment at the time included sayings of Aurobindo, St John of the Cross, Plotinus, and Meister Eckhart. The name of the person in the golf course encounter is Shivas Irons. A year and a half later, in California, the voice of Shvias Irons had taken root in Murhpy's head. Richard Price, a classmate at Stanford, and Murphy set up an institute, Esalen, a residential program, to explore human potential. Murphy returned to Scotland in 1970. He found out Shivas Irons had left some time in 1963.
Personal charm is physical. Irons was not an ordinary golf porfessional. His look was part of his teaching. Shivas played in the Kingdom of Fife. He stressed adherence to the rules. The name here is Shivas as in Chivas Regal. The golf guru being described is a Scotsman.
When Murphy had dinner with Shivas and some of his friends someone said that golf is the yoga of the supermind. Supermind is a term from aurobindo. Later, when the author and Shivas went to Shivas's place, it became clear to Michael Murphy that he was being recruited as a sort of publicist to the outside world for Shivas's musings about golf and metaphysics.
In his youth, when club members had wanted Shivas to compete on the international circuit and were willing to pay his expenses, he realized that he had developed a phobia about people that would impair his playing. He had dropped out of college to pursue his spiritual researches. He did, however, enter the British Open. When he managed to overcome his shyness, it seemed that the round was being played in technicolor and that drums sounded. He saw that he could play golf and be a philosopher.
After hearing more details of Shivas's life, Michael Murphy decided that he had to leave for London right away. He was, at the time, fixated on maintaining his travel schedule of trains and so forth. In golf the ratio of goal to playing field is large. In 1944 Shivas went to the U.S. Open in San Francisco and followed Ben Hogan. Ben Hogan was a true teacher, but unconscious of it. Golf is a game of seeing and feeling. It is meant for the walking, not for the shots. The world is a Koan is one of the statements Murphy found in Shivas's notes.
A small masterpiece about the game of life.......2006-07-21
If you're looking for help with your six-iron shot, look elsewhere. This book is about virutosity, mastery, and the challenge of rising above yourself.
Book Description
In the tradition of Seabiscuit, the riveting tale of twoproud Scotsmen who beat all comers to become the heroesof a golden age—the dawn of professional golf
Bringing to life golf's founding father and son, Tommy's Honor is a stirring tribute to two legendary players and a vivid evocation of their colorful, rip-roaring times.
The Morrises were towering figures in their day. Old Tom, born in 1821,began life as a nobody— he was the son of a weaver and a maid. But he was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, the cradle of golf, and the game was in his blood. He became the Champion Golfer of Scotland, a national hero who won tournaments (and huge bets) while his young son looked on. As "Keeper of the Green" at the town's ancient links, Tom deployed golf's first lawnmower and banished sheep from the fairways.
Then Young Tommy's career took off. Handsome Tommy Morris, the Tiger Woods of the nineteenth century, was a more daring player than his father. Soon he surpassed Old Tom and dominated the game. But just as he reached his peak—with spectators flocking to see him play— Tommy's life took a tragic turn, leading to his death at the age of twenty-four. That shock is at the heart of Tommy's Honor. It left Tom to pick up the pieces—to honor his son by keeping Tommy's memory alive.
Like the New York Times bestseller The Greatest Game Ever Played, Tommy's Honor is both fascinating history and a moving personal saga. Golfers will love it, but this book isn't only for golfers. It's for every son who has fought to escape a father's shadow and for every father who had guided a son toward manhood, then found it hard to let him go.
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful piece of scholarship told beautifully.......2007-09-17
If I were to recommend a single book to read about the famous Morris family, it would be Kevin Cook's Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son. Many of us know the familiar history of these men - of Old Tom's falling out with famous ball maker and player Allan Robertson, and of Young Tom dying of a broken heart on Christmas Day. This book goes beyond that and reveals fascinating layers of their lives previously unexamined.
This work is a wonderfully crafted narrative along the lines of Mark Frost's The Greatest Game Ever Played. It draws on facts gleaned from numerous sources, including contemporary newspaper accounts, and creates a compelling story of father and son. We are taken inside their lives in equal measure. We can feel the cold water of St. Andrews Bay as Old Tom goes for his morning swim, we are inside Allan Robertson's kitchen as Tom makes feathery balls for him. We witness his big money matches, we move with Tom, wife Nancy and baby Tommy to Prestwick, we win Opens with him and then return to St. Andrews and follow Young Tom's ascendency to golf immortality.
The enduring impact Old Tom had as Keeper of the Green at St. Andrews and his lasting legacy on the game of golf is developed quite thoroughly. Cook even touches on the class differences between Tom and the men of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews he served. Old Tom is portrayed as a man with great dedication to his family and profession. Beyond that, he also possessed a steady, dignified grace. The following passages are illustrative of both Cook's scholarship and expressive style:
"For greens other than the one at the wet High Hole he used clay pipes as hole liners. The pipes, made in nearby Kincaple, happened to be four and a quarter inches in diameter. Due to a quirk of the Kincaple brickworks, four and a half inches became the standard diameter of the cup on every green. While Tom mended the course, his son hit balls. Tommy's swing would be imitated by a generation of golfers who saw themselves as his apostles."
"Watching his father kneel to tee up another man's ball set Tommy's teeth on edge. Tom, unbothered, said there was an art to making a sand tee just the right height for a golfer's swing, and applying a drop of spit to the back of the ball so that a few grains of sand stuck to it, adding backspin when it landed. There was no shame in kneeling, he said. Had not our Savior told his followers to render unto Caesar? After all, Tom said, it was not his immortal soul that bent, only his knee."
Cook's research is impressive and thorough, as he weaves together such diverse subjects as ball and club making with the development of the Old Course itself and the players who challenged the Morris's for golfing supremacy. This is done seamlessly and leaves the reader wanting to learn more about these wonderful characters.
Of special interest are new insights concerning Tommy's wife Margaret Drinnen, a "woman with a past," as the Victorian standards of the day would have labeled her. She bore an illegitimate child before moving to St. Andrews and marrying Young Tom. Less than a year later she died during childbirth, and Tommy tragically succumbed three months later of a pulmonary embolism. His early death has frozen in time our romanticized image of him.
Old Tom Morris carried on, survivor that he was. As he once said late in life, "I've had my troubles and my trials...and with the help of my God and of golf, I've gotten through somehow or another." His beloved wife Nancy, already an invalid, died just seventeen days after Tommy. Son Jack, who had been born with deformed legs, died in 1893; daughter Elizabeth passed away suddenly in 1898; and his son Jamie in 1906. Tom survived them all.
Cook has done a great service with this book. One can read Tulloch's Life of Tom Morris and come away with a better knowledge of the lives of Old and Young Tom, but it is a dry book written a century ago. Like David Joy's Scrapbook of Old Tom Morris (2001), Tommy's Honor offers a fresh look at a familiar subject.
Bob Furgeson, British Open champion (1880-82) once said that nerve, enthusiasm, and practice were the three essentials to succeed in golf. But to be great requires the gift. Tommy Morris had a gift for golf, and Kevin Cook has helped us understand the nature of that gift and the human and spiritual elements that fostered it.
Tommy's Honor.......2007-08-28
This work by Kevin Cook is the best historical golf book I have ever read. Cook brings the characters to life by providing personal insights he garnered through research of local newspapers and other articles he was able to find about Old Tom and and Young Tom Morris. It is a remarkable tale that reveals details about mid 19th century life and golf in Scotland in a way that has never been accomplished before.
I highly recommend the book to any and all readers who have an interest in the beginnings of the game of golf and its founding fathers.
Bringing Old Tom & Young Tom back to life.......2007-05-20
The mythology of St. Andrews and "Old" and "Young" Tom Morris is well known amongst most golfers with at least a passing interest in the game's history and historic figures. We know about Old Tom's innovations at St. Andrews (which was his second stop as a head greenskeeper and teacher, lasting 44 years) and Young Tom's British Open success (he won four straight championships), but it takes Kevin Cook's beautifully written account of their lives to help us really get to know them. This is a marvelous book, well-researched and well-told, about two men who had enormous impact on the game - not just at the birthplace of golf, but on its history. Reading it is a magical experience, even if you don't play the game.
Tom and Tommy Morris Come Alive Again.......2007-05-13
Kevin Cook's poignant biography of the Morrises brings Tom and Tommy alive for his readers. It's much more than a story of their lives. It's about fathers and sons, families, social classes, golf, and the birth of the touring golf professional.
Tom's story gives us a keen insight into golf and a golfer's life in the second half of the 19th century. Many aspects of golf have changed over the years and, surprisingly, many have remained exactly as they were 150 years ago.
The reason for the seemingly strange title is revealed in the final sentence of the book.
This book should be on every golfer's Best-Sellers list.
Early golf history comes to life! .......2007-05-13
If you're a golf history nut, or just interested in late 1800's-early 1900's, you'll love this book. If you just like to know more about the great game of golf, this is your book. Kevin Cook brings the world of St. Andrews and Scotland to life. You can just about smell the oil lamps burning on the streets or the low tide blowing in from the North Sea. Oh, and the history of Tom Morris and his son, Tommy, is just amazing. I felt like I was reading a novel but is was true! If you love golf or know someone that loves the game you must get this book. It's a classic.
Books:
- The Power of Display: A History of Exhibition Installations at the Museum of Modern Art
- Trees of Texas: An Easy Guide to Leaf Identification (W L Moody, Jr, Natural History Series)
- Untitled
- Web Database Applications with PHP & MySQL, 2nd Edition
- White Lies (The Arcane Society, Book 2)
- Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison?
- Window Seat: The Art of Digital Photography and Creative Thinking
- Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Fifth Edition
- 100 Things to Do Before You Die: Travel Events You Just Can't Miss
- A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Walk in My Soul
- The Cost of Discipleship
- Schopenhauer's Telescope: A Novel
- Old-Time Cats CD-ROM and Book
- Root of All Evil, The
- Physiological Control Systems: Analysis, Simulation, and Estimation
- Stressed or Depressed: A Practical and Inspirational Guide for Parents of Hurting Teens
- The Summer Walkers: Travelling People and Pearl-Fishers in the Highlands of Scotland
- Madam: Chronicles of a Nevada Cathouse
- A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen's Captivity
The Plane Truth for Golfers Master Class
Tour Tempo: Golf's Last Secret Finally Revealed
Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game
The 7 Laws of the Golf Swing
The Art of Putting: The Revolutionary Feel-Based System for Improving Your Score
