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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. This the the one book all new golfers, and many long time golfers, should read. I have given it to all of my friends as they start playing golf.
I even had a 35 yard chip-in.I was shocked at how well I hit the ball. Then I read "Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect". My goal,this year, was to break 80 and eventually have a single digit HC. I read ZEN golf (in September) which was very good and when I applied the theory's, I did better. 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. I know that changing your swing can take months of practice, but this didn't even feel right. NOTHING HAD CHANGED.
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. I didn't worry about anything but a nice smooth swing with all my attention on the target. Most of my scores this year were from 82-92 but I was hitting the ball inconsistently. but my swing was much better and smoother. Again, all by concentrating strictly on the target. I had no tension and didn't "fight" the course or my swing. I relaxed and promised myself to have fun.
If for nothing else, it will show you how to have more fun with your game. It was if it was subliminal and automatic. Also, I had fun this time. I am still at a 12 HC, but it had risen to 14 over the fall months due to my swing change. I shot my best ever "76" with (3) birdies, (7) pars, (8) out of 13 fairways and (8)GIR. And I sure wasn't having any fun.Then I decided to concentrate on the short game and the mental game. My first round after reading the book was an 84.
It was 37-40* with a 15 mph wind. It was similar (to me) as Zen Golf but it really reinforced the mental aspects of the game. But more importantly I did enjoy these last two rounds. If you have been struggling with your game you may want to give this book a chance. 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. Also had 30 putts with a brand new (never used) putter.
But the harder I worked on my swing, the worse my scores. I concentrated strictly on my target and visualized what I wanted to produce. Still shooting for that single digit HC.This book may not be for everyone. I have worked on fixing that swing (and some other faults)for many hours. I really did have fun.During the winter, I will re-read this book and hopefully my game will continue to improve.
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. But old habits are hard to break and I fell back into working/changing my swing. 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. 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. Golf was starting to become work. One of my best shots was a 185 yard, up-hill, into the wind approach shot (5 iron) that hit the green.
Though I haven't put it to practice yet, I know it will help my game. Already picked up his other book on putting. to bring home the real purpose. This book provides good testimonials, examples, etc. Common themes that help focus on the essentials, allowing it to sink in. Well worth the reading. Most of these type of books generally raise the awareness of common sense like focus on the target, etc. Easy to read.
Best of all, it was exactly the book I needed. This item was as described by the seller and came within the time promised. I'd highly recommend the book to anyone struggling with their golf game.
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. My wife even comented after the round about how relaxed I appeared and how well my shots looked compared to past rounds. 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. 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.
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