TJNikegolf26 Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 So... I'm a 20 handicapper with an ambitious, but in my opinion attainable goal of shooting in the 80's by the end of this season, 70's next season, and scratch soon after. I have a new coach who is awesome (if you're in the Long Island area and need a good coach let me know) and my lessons and all are helping tremendously. But I have found that by following my lesson plans and drills I get one dimensional at times and don't progress as quickly as I'd like. But then after reading certain books, I've had that "AH HA!" moment nearly every time where something I thought was "good" was really totally wrong, or I didn't totally understand something my coach told me to do, or any number of other reasons. So I'm curious to know what books would you all recommend to a newer golfer, or just any golfer in general. Maybe it's an author who explains things in a way that you "get it" every time (I feel like Hank Haney hits the nail on the head for me all the time), or maybe a book that changed your game completely, or simply one you just love. I've read and like "The Plane Truth for Golfers", and found it to be very helpful with my particular swing in breaking down feels vs. reality and drills that seem to work for me. I learn best from gathering tons of information, so my goal is to get the best from the best folks in golf... The MGS Community. Thanks!! Driver: TM M2 10.5 Stiff Aldila Rogue Fairway: TM M2 Fujikara Stiff Hybrid: Nike Vapor Fly CK Tensei Stiff Irons: JPX 900 Forged Project X LZ 5.5/115 Wedges: Mizuno T7 Blue 54°, White Satin56° Putter: Nike Method Origin B1-01 cksurfdude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBT Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 First book I would get would be Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible....read it practice his drills and you'll drop strokes around the green. Hackabilly, palvord and TJNikegolf26 3 Quote XR Driver Matrix Ozik 8m3 Black Tie Shaft King F7 3W UST Mamiya Chrome Elements 7F4 Shaft King F7 5W UST Mamiya Chrome Elements 7F4 Shaft King F7 4 Hybrid Graphite Designs Tour AD-HY 95 Shaft PXG 0211 DC 5-PW Mitsubishi MMT 80 Shafts RTX ZIPCORE 50*,54*,58* UST Mamiya Recoil 95 Shafts Metal X Milled #7 with SuperStroke 2.0 grip MTB Twitter: @timldotson Instagram: timldotson Facebook: TimDotson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaussman1 Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Get "The Golf Omnibus" by P.G. Wodehouse. A collection of his short stories written in the early 1900s. Wonderfully funny. You won't learn any technique but you will get a look into the heart and soul of the game. Sent from my Nexus 6P using MyGolfSpy mobile app DaveP043, Hackabilly, cksurfdude and 2 others 5 Quote Rogue SZ 10.5 *NEW* Fujikura Pro Green 65 X Rogue 15 degree Evnflow Blue 6.5 Back in the Bag Z765 4-G Nippon Modus 120 Stiff 54 and 60 Amazing Grace Ass Kicker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shankster Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 You're welcome. https://classicsofgolf.com/product/the-links-1926/ Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Hackabilly and TJNikegolf26 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSauer Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 I'd say one of the absolute best books for beginners is Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf DaveP043, STUDque, TJNikegolf26 and 6 others 9 Quote Driver: Aerojet 9* | Hzrdus Black Gen 4 Fairway: G410 3W 13* | Alta CB 65 Hybrid: TS2 18* | Tensei AV Blue 70 S Hybrid: iCrossover 20* | Kai'li White 80 Irons: P790 5-PW | DG S300 Wedges: Vokey SM9 | 52, 56, 60 | DG S200 Putter: Link.1 | Accra x LAB --- LAB Golf Link.1 Review --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullldog Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 ^^^ SO MUCH THIS ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUDque Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 I'd say one of the absolute best books for beginners is Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf That was one of my first books too. Throw my name on the pile recommending this. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy TSauer, bullldog, Patrick_O and 1 other 4 Quote In my Pisa, riding on a 3.5+ G410+ EXS 5W King F7 Hy i500 5-GW Equalizer 56/60 Heppler Ketsch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deejaid Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 I have read Hogans Five Lessons multiple times and it is a good instructional book, but I think David Ledbetter's "The Fundamentals of Hogan" is even better. In it, Ledbetter breaks down Hogans swing and instead of teaching Hogans swing exactly (which most amateurs can't replicate) highlights the key parts of Hogan's swing which can work for most players. For the short game I like Ray Floyds "From 60 Yards In". And for casual reads, I like Harvey Penicks "Little Red Book" and "A Round of Golf with Tommy Armour". Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote WITB: Stan Thompson “Reactionizer” persimmon woods 1-4 Spalding Tour Edition 3-PW Spalding Top-Flite E.V.A. Sand Club Rife Legend Z Putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philly Golf Guy Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Penick's Little Red Book is a good one, so is Dave Stockton's Unconscious Putting. I learned a lot from Bobby Jones' book on golf and Haney's. Rusty1885 1 Quote WIT Sta Dry Bag: Driver: '17 M2 Woods: M2 3W and 5W Hybrids: Apex 3h and 5h Irons: MP 18 MMC Wedges: MD PM Grind, 56* and 60* Putter: California Sonoma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJNikegolf26 Posted July 9, 2017 Author Share Posted July 9, 2017 Thank goodness for Amazon Kindle lol. Lots of good recommendations guys, thank you! I've begun "Hogan's Five Lessons" in the past but never finished it, and I'm intrigued by "The Fundamentals of Hogan". Keep them coming!! Driver: TM M2 10.5 Stiff Aldila Rogue Fairway: TM M2 Fujikara Stiff Hybrid: Nike Vapor Fly CK Tensei Stiff Irons: JPX 900 Forged Project X LZ 5.5/115 Wedges: Mizuno T7 Blue 54°, White Satin56° Putter: Nike Method Origin B1-01 deejaid 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscipleofPenick Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 The 4 Penick books are great. And I've read some Bob Rotella if you are looking for help with the mental side. I'm going to disagree with a lot of people here and say avoid the Hogan book for now. Those tips are how to swing like him. Hogan hit a fade, and as most golfers struggle with going right, his instruction could make things worse. Sent from my SM-G935P using MyGolfSpy mobile app Shankster, romeopapazulu and Rusty1885 3 Quote Take Dead Aim Driver: PXG 0211 10.5* Fairway: Titleist 917 F3 15* Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro Boxer Gold 18* Irons: MacGregor MT-86 Pro Wedges: Vokey 50/54/58 Putter: SeeMore X2 Costa del Mar Ball: Srixon Z-Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shankster Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 The 4 Penick books are great. And I've read some Bob Rotella if you are looking for help with the mental side. I'm going to disagree with a lot of people here and say avoid the Hogan book for now. Those tips are how to swing like him. Hogan hit a fade, and as most golfers struggle with going right, his instruction could make things worse. Sent from my SM-G935P using MyGolfSpy mobile app I was waiting for someone else to say that. It is a good read, but a good read only. That stuff has the potential to really screw you up without "adult supervision" - Alan dadivots 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullldog Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 How so? I find alot of pga teaching professionals (including Breed) use his techniques. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shankster Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 How so? I find alot of pga teaching professionals (including Breed) use his techniques. If taught it would be fine. It isn't a go out buy, read, and poof you are Hogan good. Like he said up there he played a fade. 99% of super hackers slice the ball, this would make the slice a boomerang. Try and do his moves with an over the top swing and bad bad things will become of it. Unless you like playing out of the trees all day. But sure, go ahead. It should come with a disclaimer. "Ben Hogan was one of the best golfers of all time, and you are not." It definitely has some great stuff, and I use some of it. But for someone to just buy and self lesson it would be tough I think. Especially if you are just getting going. But what do I know, I am not a teaching pro. - Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullldog Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Lol, glad I didn't read the pretext. Hehe. (seriously didn't) I actually used it to get rid of my ott. I use his grip & try when swinging, to picture the glass plane. Think I'm a selective reader. . Lol Shankster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullldog Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Quick off topic : If we DO have a MGS get-together. 1st round I want paired w/Shankster. Think it'll be a fall out of cart good time. poprocksncoke and Shankster 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downlowkey Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Fred Shoemaker's "Extraordinary Golf: the Art of the Possible" I've lent out my copy several times and it always comes back with a new inscription of inspired gratitude scribbled inside the front cover. Patrick_O 1 Quote ______S9-1 Pro D - Matrix Ozik XCON 6 S ______S9-1 Pro 15* - Matrix Ozik XCON 7 S ________3DX 17* - Matrix Ozik Altus Hybrid SG ______ICON Black 4-PW - KBS Tour V S __________588 RTG 49 RTX 52.10 56.12 - DG S400 ______Amazing Grace NYC Tour CS _______'19 TP5X (the preceding have all been gamer approved) "The most important shot in golf is the next one“ - Ben Hogan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shankster Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Lol, glad I didn't read the pretext. Hehe. (seriously didn't) I actually used it to get rid of my ott. I use his grip & try when swinging, to picture the glass plane. Think I'm a selective reader. . Lol I use a similar grip. - Alan bullldog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shankster Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Quick off topic : If we DO have a MGS get-together. 1st round I want paired w/Shankster. Think it'll be a fall out of cart good time. I'll bring my short game. All I can count on. You'll have to do the rest. Haha - Alan bullldog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveP043 Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 For a newer golfer, I recommend Lowest Score Wins, Barzeski and Wedzik. There's very little in the way of swing instruction, its mostly about evaluating your own game, planning your practice, and making decisions on the course. A lot of this is stuff I've learned through playing for 45 years, some of it was new to me, but I think its good information. To be completely open, one of the authors runs another golf website. I'm not trying to shill for that website, but I do think the book offers some valuable advice. Quote Irons Titleist T200, AMT Red stiff Rogue SubZero, GD YS-Six X T22 54 and 58 wedges 7-wood 5-wood B60 G5i putter Right handed Reston, Virginia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_O Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Very much like The Swing Factory based on Leslie King's method. Also Nick Price's The Swing: Mastering the Principles of the Game. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk dadivots 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscipleofPenick Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Lol, glad I didn't read the pretext. Hehe. (seriously didn't) I actually used it to get rid of my ott. I use his grip & try when swinging, to picture the glass plane. Think I'm a selective reader. . Lol Hogan does have good fundamentals and the drawings in the book are top notch. His notes on setup are spot on. Sent from my SM-G935P using MyGolfSpy mobile app Quote Take Dead Aim Driver: PXG 0211 10.5* Fairway: Titleist 917 F3 15* Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro Boxer Gold 18* Irons: MacGregor MT-86 Pro Wedges: Vokey 50/54/58 Putter: SeeMore X2 Costa del Mar Ball: Srixon Z-Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveflintjr Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Easy choice Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk Rusty1885 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty1885 Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Unstoppable golfer, Bob Rotella plus a few of his books are good. Definitely Harvey Pennick series all 4. That's all if you want to advance fast. All simple, and all mental. I like history so I also read(well listen on my audible) both of David Frost books on golf, greatest game ever played and Bobby Jones. Titanic Thompson, Hank Haneys' book also a good read. redleg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscipleofPenick Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Easy choice Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk I just read this. Wish I would have picked it up years ago. Sent from my SM-G935P using MyGolfSpy mobile app Quote Take Dead Aim Driver: PXG 0211 10.5* Fairway: Titleist 917 F3 15* Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro Boxer Gold 18* Irons: MacGregor MT-86 Pro Wedges: Vokey 50/54/58 Putter: SeeMore X2 Costa del Mar Ball: Srixon Z-Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyscout Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 The Impact Zone by Bobby Clampett. Swing The Handle by Eddie Merrins. Stan Utley's Art of Putting and Art of the Short Game. Solid Impact by Jim Hardy. Be a Player, Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott. Anatomy of Greatness by Brandel Chamblee. I agree about Dave Stockton's Unconscious Putting and Bob Rota's first book. Leadbetter's book about Hogan is better than Hogan's own, for me. Not a fan of Jim Hardy's new book about the release. Sent from my Pixel XL using MyGolfSpy mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyscout Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 The Impact Zone by Bobby Clampett. Swing The Handle by Eddie Merrins. Stan Utley's Art of Putting and Art of the Short Game. Solid Impact by Jim Hardy. Be a Player, Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott. Anatomy of Greatness by Brandel Chamblee. I agree about Dave Stockton's Unconscious Putting and Bob Rota's first book. Leadbetter's book about Hogan is better than Hogan's own, for me. Not a fan of Jim Hardy's new book about the release. Sent from my Pixel XL using MyGolfSpy mobile app Rotella, not Rota. Sent from my Pixel XL using MyGolfSpy mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackabilly Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 When I first started playing I read Golf My Way by Jack Nicklaus and found it pretty helpful. If I remember right it repeatedly said that what Jack did might not work for you, but it did work for me at least for a little while. just starting to build my set irons: Adams pro A12 3-pw KBS tour woods: zenith orbiter 3 and 5 driver: Bombtech Grenade 9* Stiff wedges: tour edge 56* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadivots Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 I was waiting for someone else to say that. It is a good read, but a good read only. That stuff has the potential to really screw you up without "adult supervision" - Alan Agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadivots Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Very much like The Swing Factory based on Leslie King's method. Also Nick Price's The Swing: Mastering the Principles of the Game. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Leslie King The Perfect Golf Swing. His is the only book I ever suggest on "how to", when asked. It is sold all over but there is a "series'' with it free at golfpro-online and a pdf can be found too. Its a beginner type of book. Patrick_O 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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