Customer Reviews

Golf Sense: Practical Tips On How To Play Golf In The Zone

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I was originally inspired by this golfing inner peace (or getting in the zone) from the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance - the scene on the tee when Bagger is explaining to Junuh why Bobby Jones is so good ("he's in the field"). To me, there's just something about letting go of all the BS in your head, getting out of your own way (mentally) and just letting your natural swing emerge - it just sounds like the way a golf swing is meant to be executed.

So as I digested Mr. Palmer's book, I felt his writings and exercises (many of which can be done without a club and while you're actually reading the book) would really help me find that happy place to exist in during a round. For example, he points to tension in the swing as a major cause of poor play - tension that you may not even know you have since habitually, you've swung the same way for so many years.

But realizing the cause of your poor golf shots is only the beginning. Golf Sense is packed with simple ways to put you in (and keep you in) a calm and relaxed state of mind on the course (which will translate into a more relaxed swing, and subsequently lower scores). I have to say, I'm anxious to give it a try.

Check out my complete review here: [...]

If you have played golf for even a short time you have hit shots that came off the club perfectly, high and straight, to the target with very little effort. You may have even experienced short stretches on the golf course in which everything seemed easy. Of course we have also followed those perfect shots with a low hard hooks that ended up out-of-bounds.

Roy Palmer helps us understand what makes us take a great swing one time and such a poor swing the next in his book "Golf Sense, Practical Tips On How To Play Golf In The Zone". Through a series of self observations, and practical exercises he illustrates that "less is more" when it comes to the golf swing. By eliminating unnecessary movements in our pre-shot routine we are able to relax, quite our minds, and begin to focus on feeling the correct movement.

One exercise that worked for me as soon as I tried it was "Poised For Success". The author suggests that we stand in golf posture address and image a sting attached to the top of your head pulling you up so you get taller at the same time image the ground pushing your feet up. Try it for yourself and tell me if that doesn't help you get into a great athletics position.

This book is a insightful and refreshing look at the mental approach to playing your best golf. The author challenges us to evaluate our concepts on how to move our bodies and face bad habits we may have developed in the golf swing. By staying away from useless swing thoughts and technical mechanics we are taught to focus of the fundamentals of movement that allow us to get into The Zone. In the end we can all be better golfers by putting the ideas in the book into practice.

Golf Sense - Practical Tips on How to Play Golf in the Zone by Roy Palmer is a fascinating book that any golfer, regardless of talent level, can benefit from reading. Based on Palmer's preferred instructional technique, The Alexander Method, golfers are introduced to a detailed, well-written account of what it feels like to be "in the Zone" and how one can hope to replicate this feeling every time he or she steps on the tee box.

In every sense of the word, and as stated above, Golf Sense is detailed. While the reader may find himself re-reading the content once or twice before understanding what is being conveyed by the author, Palmer does a fine job of substantiating an abstract concept into words. "Being in the Zone" can mean many things to many golfers, however we can all agree that this is the period of time when effort is at a minimum while positive results are at its highest point. The question that Palmer addresses in his book is simply how one can find the Zone every round.

Using examples and exercises throughout each chapter, Palmer suggests that finding the Zone is contingent upon "unlearning" bad habits that every golfer experiences at one time or another. Written in a style that analytical thinkers and psychology buffs will enjoy, Golf Sense offers the reader an explanation as to why we behave in certain ways when performing a physical movement. In terms of everyday examples addressed in the book, touching one's nose with a finger is much easier when done on instinct as opposed to thinking about every minute movement that is included in the action itself.

Parallels to golf can be drawn rather easily, especially when considering the popular mechanical aspect of golf instruction seen on the market today. Keeping your head still or folding your right arm are phrases simple enough to understand, yet confusing enough to litter your head with a checklist too long to recall during a golf swing. As Palmer points out early in his book, the golfer only has a fraction of a second to make an adjustment to his or her swing before ultimately falling into bad habits learned over numerous poor shots. It is in this split-second that new information or techniques can be introduced to the swing, allowing the player to learn a new motion that can potentially lead to different results.

Having played golf for almost two decades I can certainly relate to the examples and frustrations that "Tom", the books fictional example, experiences throughout the chapters and lessons. Falling into bad habits because they feel "right" or comfortable is an interesting concept that one would assume almost every golfer, professional or amateur, often battles with during a round. Tensing one's shoulders before a putt can be dismissed as easily as saying "this is how I learned the game", however does not suggest that this is the correct way to swing a club. Looking at one's faults in golf can be difficult to accept, however is a necessary element of improving one's game if done correctly. In this respect, Palmer succeeds admirably.

A contradiction exists with the message from Golf Sense, however, that a reader may pick up up upon finishing the book. While Palmer suggests "forgetting" about mental checklists and "unlearning" bad habits, one cannot help but wonder if new adjustments and mindsets are nothing more than cleaner ways to describe similar actions. In other words, "remembering to forget" can be just as frustrating or confusing as following poor habits in the first place.

While the information presented in Golf Sense may not be for everyone, one thing is clear: Palmer understands the psychology of this great game and possesses a talent in conveying abstract material to the reader in a fashion that is easy to understand and apply to his or her own game.

I absolutely loved the book. Have used and tried all the exercises. I am walking taller and enjoying golf even more with this refreshing perspective. Well done! A must read for all golfers.

I'm a golf teacher. I've owned a driving range in West Columbia, SC (Par-tee) for 20 years and I teach a 100 people or more every year.

I love this book and have used the author's suggestions with my students (and on myself) with great success. Over the years I believe I've tried and read everything about golf. This is something new. I'm reading the book again now for the 2nd time.

I was working with a USC football player today - he was was so encouraged because he finally got what it means to not try so hard. The terminology in the book is helping me help my students better understand what I am trying to tell them. The part about not clenching your teeth is so simple and yet so profound. When this student (and myself, when I tried it) followed Palmer's instructions wee noticed that we were freer to swing and felt lighter on our feet. It really works! My student and I both felt encouraged and excited.

This material helps you free your mind. That's something I've been trying to get across to students for years. This book has given me the language and tools to express that. The terminology found here is very helpful and it's reinvigorated my teaching and my game. Every golfer should read this book. In fact I'm giving a copy to one of my favorite customers, the USC Golf Coach. A lot of my other favorite customers want my copy, I don't want to give my copy away so I'm sending them here!

Dan Gensamer, Par Tee Driving Range. West Columbia, S.C.

This was entered in for me by my daughter, Suzie Price, since I don't 'do computers' - I play golf!

When someone points out an amazing idea, simple or not, it resonates - and this certainly did with me. I'll leave the discovery to the reader but I find myself assessing my level of tension on a daily basis now. It has transformed the way I do things. Read it, you will be glad that you did.

We all want to improve our game, I do not know a single player who does not. However wanting it and doing it are completely separate issues. This book is an excellent choice. Whether you choose to read it cover to cover and apply as much as you can to your game or whether you cherry pick items that you feel can help you this book is for you.

Lots of books that are written in this style are simply overwhelming, mostly because people try to read it as a novel instead of gradually going through it item by item over a period of time. I loved that the author makes it plain he wants you to do the latter. It is well broken down in manageable portions. Remember golf is a game played not so much on the course but between the ears and the mental side of the game is probably the high handicappers most neglected area.

I would strongly suggest you do not try to implement everything at once it is impossible. Pick out your biggest area of weakness and follow the advice of the author, give it a chance, change is hard but then again anything worth anything requires the right attitude.

This is a companion to your game, a book that can teach you and you can go back to reference to many times. The fundamentals of the swing and endless videos on how to play out of bunkers and how to putt are limited in their use to the average golfer. This book explores YOU the golfer, its personal for all of us and I highly recommend it!

Another compelling book for the library of every golfer interested in the mental side of golf.

It is actually a book that broadens or, rather, varies perspectives. It puts together not only mind and body (à la Bob Rotella, for instance) but also posture and breathing, disciplines such as Feldenkrais and the Alexander Technique. In short, "weighty" themes that have to be meditated and take time and dedication to be assimilated, yet essential for golfers seriously interested in improving their game.

It is noteworthy that the book is written by a non-golfer. This makes it interesting, because certain practices are universal regardless of specific sport techniques.

A series of exercises (regarding posture, breathing, awareness of one's body) enriches the work. These exercises have to be performed to make the time invested in reading the book really effective, so that understanding its concepts truly brings about real improvements.

The site of the book is informative and expands the subject for all interested golfers.

To sum up, this is a worthwhile publication in its specificity: besides, there are thousands of manuals regarding swing technique but very few consider mind and body as a whole. So books like "Golf Sense" and others like it are very welcome in the golf book panorama.

This book is for the hacker as well as that experienced golfer. The amateur and the golf professional can both benefit from this book. Roy Palmer did an excellent job laying out the script for getting into the zone. Mr. Palmer explains what the zone is, how to get into the zone, and how to recognize you are there. The Alexander Technique is a great way to experience and be aware of what your body is doing. Mr. Palmer guides you through the technique of proper body position and at the same time make you aware every move. Palmer not only tells you to be in the moment, but also through realxation awareness, how to get into the moment on every shot. I especially like the practicals he provides to guide you into The Zone. If you are in the moment, you are more likely to find The Zone. A Must read for all golfers.

Book Review: Golf Sense

Author: Roy Palmer

Illustrated by Sophie Webber

The subtitle of this 153 page softcover book is "Practical Tips On How To Play Golf In The Zone". Not being an avid golfer, I was initially a bit reticent to review a book on a subject I know little about. I do own a set of clubs, and my first game was a 114, but my fellow players let me get away with a lot. Well, truth be told, the much-frequented beer cart kept us all pretty loosy-goosy.

I digress.

Again, I know next to nothing about golf, but what I do appreciate is the author's approach to being in the "zone". His instructions on how to play golf involve both mechanical/physical awareness of your body, but more more importantly, the psychological preparedness for maintaining focus so that you're "in the moment", with nothing distracting you.

The mental exercises can be applied to any sport or activity. As a matter of fact, they're a chip off the old martial arts block... I could almost hear him saying "Good swing, grasshopper. Now go chop wood." Sorry, inside joke.

Palmer's writing style is very easy going, therefore easy to read. He doesn't ramble on unnecessarily, nor does he treat anything lightly... obviously someone experienced in the sport, his "zone" approach is easily identified in the titles of his other two publications: Zone Mind, Zone Body, and The Performance Paradox. Turns out he's also a teacher of the Alexander Technique, a world-renowned movement system.

So, if you the least bit interested in improving your game without spending gobs of money on lessons, this book is your next destination.

5 out of 5 stars.

Wolfy