Golf The Mental Game
August 11, 2009 by Golf Vacations · Leave a Comment
Often you hear golfers say, “I’ve got the game; it’s something psychological that’s holding me back. I don’t know what it is, it’s just psychological.”
Well, that “something psychological” involves either thinking (concentration, visualization, thoughts about the swing, etc.), feeling (confidence, pressure, emotional control), or action (strategies, routines, practice techniques, etc.). Thinking, feeling, and action. When something goes wrong (or right) on the golf course, the cause is going to be found in one of these three areas. In Golf: The Mental Game, Tom Dorsel looks at more than sixty-five issues that can impact a golfer’s success and happiness.
The book is divided into five sections. Section one presents the basics: getting started right, using the clubs correctly, and scoring. Section two is about thinking clearly: concentrating, what to think about, eliminating negative thoughts, keys to developing a great swing, and visualizing doing it right. Section three is about controlling emotions: building confidence, sharpening mental toughness, making your personality work for you (not against you), relieving stress through talking to yourself, handling pressure, and preventing choking. Section four is about effective action: practicing your skills, warming up, playing the game, and improving your game through setting goals. Section five is about the mental mysteries of golf: slumps, the effect of your good moments and bad, the mental gymnastics of putting, and collapses.
Golf: The Mental Game is the culmination of more than twenty-five years of writing about the psychological side of golf for national golf magazines such as Golf Illustrated, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Golfweek.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Applies to everything
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer for Reader Views (5/08)
Even though the reader is not an avid golfer, she does like to watch golf. What really impressed me about Dorsel’s book is that it has techniques that one can apply to any sport, job or setting goals.
The main point from this book is that one should pay attention to their thinking, emotions and actions. Usually if something goes wrong it is related to one of the above. In the first chapter, “the nine R’s of golf” are discussed, some of them being: realism; responsibility; relaxation and reinforcement. Regardless of what your goal is, to be a better golfer or better on your job, the nine R’s can help you.
The book is written in a fashion that it is easy to read and understand. You can take points from each chapter and apply them immediately. In addition, each chapter gives specific examples of the principles discussed.
I would recommend “Golf: The Mental Game” to beginning golfers, as well as other individuals who want to make positive changes.
5 Stars Great Golf Book !
“What do psychology and golf have in common? Action, emotions and thinking according to Dorsel, and not just for the spouse left behind!”
5 Stars The Gold Standard of the Mental Game
I spent numerous months in a slump/Yips/Shanks after achieving a respectable level of play. After this time period of self searching, I decided what was missing was the mental aspect/strategy of playing (versus the mechanics).
Many of the ‘mental strategies’ cover the ‘visual imagery’ of the perfect shot or emphasizing positive thinking. Those aspects covered by half a dozen books only scratch the surface of this underemphasized aspect of the game. I have listened to numerous ‘motivational speakers’ and advisors to the professionals.
This is one of the most comprehensive books on strategy, formulating a plan, and maintaining that high level of play. This book is the road map to success in this challenging game.
Dr. Tom Dorsel covers every aspect of the game regarding choosing equipment, preparing mentally and physically before a round, how and what to practice, course management, golf strategy, golf myths, and creating a plan to achieving one’s goals. Whether you’re a beginner, double digit/single digit/scratch/professional, this book (if you can assimilate all of the information) will elevate your game. He covers how to achieve your goals with a summary of objectives and illustrative vignettes in a clear and entertaining style.
This sensible approach to the thinking approach to the game helps make you ‘minimize the imperfections’ in your game.
This is the Modern Day Approach to the Mental Game of Golf. I highly recommend it.
5 Stars Golf The Mental Game Thinking Your Way around the Course
I just read this book Golf The Mental Game on the thinking side of your golf game. Tom Dorsel has written an helpful guide to improving your golf game from every angle. Using your brain to think your way around the course, not to make crazy impossible shots. Every age golfers will be able to find something that will help them in their golf game.
I have been playing golf for over 50 years and am always looking for more ways to stay active and my golf game enjoyable. Tom Dorsel is a psycologist and a golfer so he know the importance of using your mental ability to improve your game. He quotes many Pro golfers in how they stay mentally sound during their games like Tiger Woods and several other pro golfers.
If you are a golfer you will find many helpful hints to improve your game and make it more enjoyable.
5 Stars A fun, great book on the mental game of golf
Cannot help but think this is a book Tiger Woods would agree with, since he seems (from all I have read) to know much of what the author has written. Like being eductated on which clubs etc fit you. Diet, rest, being focused. Visualizing the course, and how you will play it. Simple a great book with so much useful information.
Bernard Darwin On Golf
August 9, 2009 by Golf Vacations · Leave a Comment
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Husband loves it.
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my husband. He thinks it is very well written and is enjoying it a lot. He is an avid golfer, but was not familiar with Bernard Darwin.
5 Stars Darwin on Golf
Bernard Darwin lived through, played in and wrote about the Golden Age of golf. Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Bob Jones, Glenna Collett, Joyce Wethered, Ben Hogan and beyond - he knew them all. He wrote about golf from the perspective of an accomplished player but all his stories are gems, whether about the immortals and the classic tournaments and matches or about the mere mortals who populate the game of golf. This is a wonderful selection of golf literature and I am indebted to Mr Darwin for creating it and to Mr Silverman for bringing it to us.
5 Stars The Ultimate Darwin Book
Jeff Silverman’s compliation of Darwin stories is a must have for any library. Long one of the Game’s more overlooked heroes, Darwin’s legendary writing style spells out in great detail of golf’s most definitive years, where the purity and passion ruled the Sport.
5 Stars An absolute gem
I’ve long heard about the wonderful golfing essays of Bernard Darwin, the grandson of Charles Darwin, but I’ve never been able to find a collection. I have now. This excellent anthology covers the breadth of Darwin’s long and honored career. It is filled with writing to be savored, and how fortunate we golfers are that there exists prose of such quality, heart, intelligence and wit on the game we love so much. Whether he’s profiling great golfers he saw play like Bobby Jones, Frances Ouimet, and Ben Hogan, touring courses like St. Andrews, offering a strategic tip, or just weighing in on the small, seemingly insignificant things we all think about over a round — like why can’t the group ahead move faster, or when is this string of good shots I’ve just hit going to end — Darwin’s words are moving, funny, lyrical and insightful. I’m thrilled someone’s finally put a book like this together. Having just finished the copy I bought for myself, I’ve purchased another three to hand out to the rest of my regular foursome before we tee off next weekend. This is a perfect addition to every golfer’s library.
Disc Golf All You Need to Know About the Game You Want to Play
August 7, 2009 by Golf Vacations · Leave a Comment
Disc Golf All You Need to Know About the Game You Want to Play
This handy reference provides techniques for mastering disc golf, the fast-growing sport in which competitors throw a Frisbee-like disc at a number of pins, or holes, attempting to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc. The basics of the game, the equipment used, and throwing techniques, such as those used for putts, approaches, and drives, are detailed. Rules and etiquette are included, along with variations of the game. Additional features include information on the Zen of disc golf and disc golf resources. Ample illustrations and photographs depict the nuances of grips and stances used in the game.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars great gift for the disc golfer
I got this book for my brother in law who loves to go disc golfing and is fairly new to this sport. My husband and other brother also love to play and when this was given they spent the evening testing out the moves that this book shows. This book is easy to read and gives alot of great description of how to throw each different disc. This book got much praise not only from the brother who received it but also from the other men in the house. My husband now wants one for himself
4 Stars Disc Golf Book
I like how the book is organized. Written conversationally, it conveys an interest and excitement in the game. The book’s organization into specific chapters (history, approach, putting, etc.) makes it easy to pick it up and put it down, try some tips out on the course and then refer back to a certain chapter for a better understanding. Even experts would benefit from the in-depth description of different ways to the throw the discs, and I really liked the appendix that outlines the characteristics of most all the different discs out on the market. The graphics are good with regard to holds and feet placement. As a beginning disc golfer, I have found this book to be inspirational and helpful.
5 Stars excellent
Here is a really easy to read book on disc golf, loaded with information on how to get started and to improve your game. I found it most helpful as I am a beginner at the age of 70. It is good for all ages.
5 Stars Learn To Enjoy Golf
This book is very interesting for anyone into the sport of golf. Very good reading.
5 Stars Great Book!
This book is great for both the beginner and more experienced players. It covers the history of the sport, styles, gear, etc. Well worth the price.
Golf Digests Ultimate Drill Book Over 120 Drills That Are Guaranteed to Improve Every Aspect of Your Game and Lower Your Handicap
August 6, 2009 by Golf Vacations · Leave a Comment
One of America’s leading golf teachers-and star instructor from the Golf Channel-teams up with Golf Digest (over 1.5 million circulation) for a breakthrough book that is sure to help everyone from low handicappers to weekend duffers lower their score.
To golfers of all proficiency levels, skills and drills go hand in hand. Taking that concept to an exciting new level, one of the greatest living teachers of the game has collected 140 precision exercises to address a wide array of golfer’s concerns. From tee shots to the short game, Golf Digest’s Ultimate Drill Book allows readers to customize practice sessions depending on their unique trouble spots.
Revealing his time-tested tactics for overcoming pitfalls, golf guru Jim McLean revolutionizes the learning process with strategies for every aspect of the game. Novice golfers will discover how to avoid bad habits from the start, and veterans will discover how to diagnose and overcome ingrained aspects of their swings, grips, stances, or even mindsets that may interfere with achieving a superior score.
With over 200 step-by-step photographs and proven advice, Golf Digest’s Ultimate Drill Book will help ensure you make those hours on the driving range and putting green time well spent.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars I Really Like McLean’s books
Think I’ve owned all his books and this one’s a good read and a collection of Golf Digest articles reworked into a book. If you like this one you’ll like McLean’s “The 8 Step Swing”The Eight Step Swing: The Top Selling Swing System that has Revolutionized the Teaching Industry (HarperResource book), which I though was his best and certainly better than any Ledbetter book or DVD I owned. (Not to say I didn’t still keep the Ledbetter stuff - I just found personally the 8 Step Swing really worked for me.)
4 Stars Ultimate drills for champions
Even if you, like me, don’t intend to be a champion pro (maybe an Am champion…?), these drills will improve your game for sure. Anyway they are the pro’s drills. I’ve checked many other sources in books and DVDs and these are the most common drills advised for golf players. And no other source were so complete. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because there are only drills. It could be completed with a swing overview, in order to make the drills more understandable (some of them are really weird and you have a hard time trying to figure out how they could possibly improve your swing). This is not in this book because the author has another book only on the 8 parts of the swing. But it worths the price. Above all, remember: these are just drills, and you are not supposed to play that way in real games!!!
5 Stars GOLF DIGEST’S ULTIMATE DRILL BOOK
AS HE ALWAYS DOES JIM MCLEAN DEMONSTRATES THAT HE KNOWS GOLF. HE KNOWS HOW TO FIX DEFICIENT GOLF SWINGS. THE DRILLS HE OFFERS MUST BE A BENEFIT TO EVERY GOLFER, BEGINNER AND PROFESSIONAL. BUY THIS BOOK AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.
1 Star Terrible for golfers who know the game
This book is for the real beginner as the title of the book is totally misleading
2 Stars So So
Just an ok book. Pictures are low quality. Would have expected better from Golf Digest and Jim Mclean. It is straight and to the point but make sure you at least have a solid working knowldge of all aspects of the game before considering this book. You can get much of the same information for free at various golf web sites. Not bad but not very clear in many regards.
My Life in and out of the Rough The Truth Behind All That Bull You Think You Know About Me
August 4, 2009 by Golf Vacations · Leave a Comment
My Life in and out of the Rough The Truth Behind All That Bull You Think You Know About Me
Ever since his astonishing victory in the 1991 PGA Championship, John Daly has enthralled fans with his big drives, bigger personality, and his “grip it and rip it” approach to golf . . . and to life. Usually seen with a cigarette dangling from his lip, Long John is the unchained, unpredictable, unapologetic bad boy of professional golf.
My Life In and Out of the Rough is the thrillingly
