Customer Reviews

Four Cornerstones of Winning Golf

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a golfer of over 35 years, a collector of golf books, and a serious student of the game, I believe "The Four Cornerstones of Winning Golf" is the most easily understood instructional books published on golf and a must for both the beginner or advanced golfer. Key to successful golf is an understanding of the fundamental concepts of the swing as well as the ability to form simple, repeatable thoughts as you play a shot. Butch Harmon provides the reader tightly focused instructional text along with with first rate photos and illustrations essential to understanding the basics of the game. Unlike many books that stress the "simplicity of the game", Harmon minces no words on the importance of physical conditioning to achieve a higher level of play. It is this candor and his solid recommendations on how to development better golfing fitness that sets this books above the rest. In short, "The Four Cornerstones of Winning Golf" belongs on the bookshelf of any golfer wanting to better understand the game and improve his or her ability

I have no doubt that Harmon's very clear and correct in his own mind on what is essential to a professional golf swing and what is not, but in this book he spends too many pages presenting his impressive credentials and not enough explaining swing technique. He does a good (though minimal) job explaining the Norman/Woods-style full swing. I found the short game and putting comments too brief to be very helpful. More like a few tips followed by advice to "practice". This book was written when Tiger was just turning pro so most of the "how I fixed the pro's swing" comments are Greg Norman centric. Interesting and unique stuff there, though. In summary, a nice supplement to your golf library, but not a core book IMO.

Butch should have added more illustrations or pictures of the points he was trying to make. It is a challenge to visualize what the text was saying. In golf, you gotta see it!

Butch Harmon has become a household name by coaching some of the greatest golfers in the game to better play and championship upon championship. Moreover, his golf school based in Houston, Texas has become a popular destination to various celebrities, bent on improving their individual golf games.

And the price tag for spending time personally with Butch is more than a bit prodigious! My mistake for believing that I could achieve a similar experience and outcome from merely buying his book--and a mediocre book at that.

The book has five chapters, two of which are nothing more than Harmon's sentimental (and poorly written) reminiscences about his dad, his brothers and the game of golf. Fine if the book were positioned and sold as a biography and not an instructional treatise--like what we have here.

Accordingly, I give the book a very weak three stars for the three other chapters that do provide some solid insights. If you want to read this book, see if you can check it out of your local library and spend time reading Harmon's insights on mental side/course management and physical conditioning (the latter part of chapter 2), On the Lesson Tee (chapter 4), and Serious Faults and Simple Fixes (chapter 5).

Skip the rest. If this is the only book you intend to read on golf, read Harmon's very routine assessment of the games fundamentals (the grip, the address, the swing, etc.). Otherwise, there are other books you can read that will provide this information in ways that are more applicable and understandable.

Meanwhile, hit 'em long and straight!

THE (GOLFING) HORSEMAN

This book has some great tips and instruction from one of the top golf teaching professionals in the world. Butch teaches a very solid fundamentally strong swing and has great advice for how you can apply these techniques to improve your own swing. I think this is one of the better golf instruction books out there.

Product was in better shape than advertised and shipping was prompt. Book is very helpful.

I got this book last week, did the drills butch said to do for the problems I was having with my game.This week I was ten strokes better. Thank you Butch for this Book. Marty Williams

Highly recommend.

Excellent instruction. Needs to be updated as technology has changed regarding graphics, etc.

Regardless, fundamentally sound and belongs on every golfer's book shelf.

The book provides information on every aspect of the game, which comes from hands-on experiences in top level of playing and teaching. Unlike others, it has been well justified and makes a lot of sense. Get the book and follow what he says, which will definitely improve your game.

He demonstrates a very good command of what many of us believe is the hardest game to play well. He and his family have long been among golf's greatest teachers.

Here with four basic areas: ball striking, short game, mental game and physical conditioning, he gives any golfer wishing to improve four key areas to look into developing.

Many scoff at such suggestions, thinking it isn't detailed enough. He not only provides the basics of the swing, but then what I think is excellent unique area of this is book is the section" "Harmon's Hints, or Just Do It!" To give but one example out of this excellent some twenty page suggestions (about 100 in all) is "Putting on Wet Greens" --- Allow for about half as much break."

Most high handicappers don't want to work on their game, i.e. mental and conditioning and strategy like Butch teaches here. Just teach me to "grip and rip 300."

This is definitely good book for all caliber players to benefit from.